Neurology and Neurosurgery: Two Specialties, One Mission

What Is a Neurologist?

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating neurological conditions without surgery. They are like medical detectives, using a combination of a thorough physical exam, your medical history, and advanced diagnostic tools to understand your symptoms.

Once they pinpoint the cause, they create a personalized treatment plan focused on improving your quality of life. This plan may include medication, lifestyle changes, or other non-surgical therapies.

Conditions a Neurologist Can Treat

You might be referred to a neurologist for a variety of symptoms or diagnosed conditions, including:

• Chronic Headaches and Migraines: If you suffer from frequent or severe migraines, a neurologist can help determine the cause and create a specialized treatment plan to manage and prevent attacks.
• Memory Loss and Dementia: When memory problems begin to interfere with your daily life, a neurologist can diagnose conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's disease and provide guidance on managing symptoms.
• Movement Disorders: A neurologist is an expert in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect movement, such as Parkinson's disease, tremors, and ataxia.
• Numbness or Tingling: Unexplained numbness, weakness, or tingling can be a sign of a neurological issue. A neurologist can help diagnose the cause and provide a variety of treatment options.
• Concussions and Brain Injuries: If you have suffered a concussion, a neurologist can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan to help manage symptoms and ensure a safe recovery.
• Seizures and Epilepsy: A neurologist specializes in diagnosing and treating seizures and epilepsy, managing your medication and helping you find the best care to control symptoms.

What Is a Neurosurgeon?

A neurosurgeon is a physician who focuses on treating conditions of the nervous system with surgery. While they are fully trained to diagnose a wide range of neurological conditions, their advanced expertise is in performing complex operations on the brain, spine, and nerves.

A neurosurgeon’s work is critical for conditions that require surgical intervention to restore function or save a life. Surgery is often a powerful tool used when other treatments haven't been effective.

Conditions Treated by a Neurosurgeon

You might need to see a neurosurgeon if you have a condition that requires surgical care, such as:

• Brain Tumors: Our neurosurgeons are experts in the surgical removal or reduction of brain tumors, using advanced techniques to preserve neurological function.
• Spinal Disorders: They treat a wide range of spinal conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors, often when these conditions cause severe pain or nerve compression.
• Traumatic Injuries: Neurosurgeons are on the front lines, treating serious injuries to the brain and spine caused by accidents.
• Aneurysms and Stroke: Our neurosurgeons are skilled in repairing blood vessels in the brain to prevent or treat life-threatening conditions like brain aneurysms and stroke.
• Nerve Disorders: Conditions like severe carpal tunnel, which causes significant nerve pain and weakness, can be treated with surgery when non-surgical treatments are no longer effective.

Seeing a Neurosurgeon Doesn't Always Mean Surgery

Consulting with a neurosurgeon doesn't always lead to surgery. These specialists are experts in diagnosing and treating all conditions of the brain, spine, and nerves, not just those that require an operation.

A neurosurgeon's training includes understanding a wide range of neurological conditions, which allows them to offer a variety of treatment options. They often recommend non-surgical approaches like medication, physical therapy, or other minimally invasive procedures before considering surgery.

This means they are a vital part of the diagnostic process, working alongside neurologists to ensure you receive the most effective and least invasive treatment possible for your specific condition.

Working Together for Your Health

While their methods are different, a neurologist and a neurosurgeon often work as a single team. This collaborative approach ensures you receive the most comprehensive care possible. A patient with a brain tumor, for example, might first see a neurologist for a diagnosis. The neurologist would then refer them to a neurosurgeon to discuss surgical options. After the surgery, the patient might continue to see the neurologist to manage any post-operative symptoms, like seizures.

Don't Wait to Get Help

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms related to a neurological condition, don't wait to seek help. Our compassionate team of neurologists and neurosurgeons is here to provide the expert care you need. To get started on your path to healing, contact CHRISTUS Health today.