It can be difficult to know when to consult a specialist for a medical issue, but numerous indications do. Therefore, always seek primary care medical advice for the treatment for neurological issues. If they cannot effectively address your symptoms, they may advise you to consult a neurologist. Therefore, it is vital to understand what a neurologist does and the symptoms they treat.
Some of the best neurologists in Mumbai can help with these symptoms.
Who is a Neurologist?
A neurologist is a medical professional specializing in diagnosing and treating disorders of the muscles, peripheral nerves, and the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and organs, including the liver and lungs. Examples of neurological diseases include headaches, epilepsy, strokes, tremors, Parkinson’s disease, and several other movement disorders. The most typical signs of neurological disorders are described in more detail below.
- Persistent Headaches or Migraines: Everyone occasionally gets headaches. Our sinuses, the tops of our heads, the shoulders and neck muscles, or the base of the skull and brain might all seem like they are being affected. They can be brought on by many illnesses, such as a sinus infection or a severe toothache.
In addition to vomiting, more intense or ongoing headaches, abrupt onset headaches, the pain made worse by exertion, headaches that begin early in the morning, changes in vision, and even seizures are signs of more severe headaches, including migraines.
- Memory Issues: Even though occasional forgetfulness, such as losing your keys or overlooking the fact that your glasses are perched on top of your head, can be annoying, it’s probably nothing to worry about. Speaking difficulties, severe memory issues, personality changes, or bewilderment are all symptoms that could be brought on by conditions or issues with the brain, spine, or nerves. Some symptoms could be brought on by an illness like Alzheimer’s or learning impairments.
- Movement and Balance Issues: One may have these symptoms for various causes, such as if they haven’t eaten all day, are stressed, or haven’t slept. Usually, once an action is performed to address these, they disappear. However, some forms of vertigo can be dangerous. Moving issues, such as difficulties walking, clumsiness, involuntary jerks or movements, tremors, or others, can be signs of a nervous system issue. Though a tremor can be a side effect of medicine or anxiety, people may wish to consult a neurologist if these movement issues interfere with their everyday life. However, they might wish to contact a neurologist if the tremors interfere with their daily activities.
- Unusual Spells or Seizures: Seizures can range from barely apparent to quite severe. Seizures can include staring, jerking movements of the arms and legs, breathing issues, confusion, or loss of consciousness, among other symptoms. Testing can identify other potential causes of seizures, such as meningitis, low blood sugar levels, extremely high blood pressure, kidney or liver failure, stroke, a vascular abnormality in the brain, and epilepsy. Untreated seizures can develop over time, becoming more frequent and lasting longer; others may only have one seizure and never have another. Even seemingly mild seizures might cause long-term brain damage or result in injuries.
- Numbness or Weakness: The occasional brief numbness and weakness are usually unharmful. It could be something more concerning, such as thyroid disease, a neuromuscular disorder, a herniated disc, or the West Nile virus, if they persist or if they appear abruptly and for no apparent reason.
Feelings of weakness that require medical attention are distinct from fatigue or muscular aches brought on by a strenuous trek or excessive weight lifting. If anyone notices the sudden loss of muscle strength, particularly in the arms and legs, or muscle weakness that interferes with daily activities, one should speak with their healthcare physician. It might be brought on by a neurological disorder or condition that is more severe, like a stroke.
- Sleep-Related Problems: Even though there are many obvious causes of sleep issues, such as staying up late, having a health condition like anxiety or sleep apnea, having nightmares, or other factors, other sleep issues are neurological abnormalities. Narcolepsy, a chronic genetic illness affecting the body’s central nervous system, illustrates this. Therefore, if anyone encounters any of the following, they should consult a neurologist:
- After a full night’s sleep, they experience prolonged moments of extreme exhaustion during the daytime.
- Frequently falling asleep in peaceful environments
- Recurring issues with falling or staying asleep, particularly if accompanied by nightmares
- Sleep issues may result from a neurological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, a movement disability, or a neuromuscular disorder.
A neurologist should always be consulted regarding a particular sleep disorder: disruption of REM sleep behavior.
Several of these symptoms could indicate a condition unrelated to the nervous system. A primary care physician is your best resource for determining whether you need to see a neurologist. However, you might need to schedule a consultation with the best neurologist in Mumbai if these symptoms are severe enough. With these symptoms, several of Mumbai’s top neurologists can help.