Neurologic injuries are some of the most devastating types of injuries for patients along with their families. Neurologic conditions can be the result of a traumatic event such as a car accident or be related to degenerative conditions. Treatment requires a neurology specialist known as a neurologist.
It might take some time and effort to find the right neurologist, but it is an important step in managing neurological conditions and the best care possible. The best neurologists in Rock Hill, SC can be found at Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology.
Call us today at 704-412-3045 to schedule an appointment if you are struggling with a neurologic condition!
What is Neurology?
Neurology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, nerves, spinal cord, and muscles. Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions that affect the nervous system.
How Do I Know I Have a Neurological Injury?
Neurological injuries also referred to as neurotrauma are those that specifically target the brain and central nervous system. They include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and other injuries that affect delicate neural structures. The injuries may occur as a result of external forces applied to the head or body that cause damage to the spinal cord or brain.
The significance of neurological injuries lies in the critical role played by the brain in controlling cognitive processes, bodily functions, and emotional well-being. Any damage or disruption to the brain and related organs can lead to a wide range of both physical and neurological impairments that include sensory disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, emotional changes, and motor deficits.
The full extent of the problem may not be completely understood immediately after the neurological injury but can be revealed with a comprehensive medical evaluation and diagnostic testing. Diagnosis involves evaluating neurological symptoms and diagnostic imaging tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan.
To determine whether you have a neurological injury and whether you require more professional intervention, you should check for the following signs and symptoms:
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hearing changes
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Headache
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Headache
- Vision changes
- Loss of balance
- Loss of consciousness
- Changes in mood, behavioral, and emotional problems (depression, anxiety, sadness, and anger).
If you suffer a neurological injury, the nerve pathways responsible for controlling muscle strength, tone, and movement will likely be disrupted. As a result, you may find yourself experiencing symptoms such as the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle loss
- Muscle weakness
- Spasticity
- Awkward movement
- Paralysis (usually indicative of a spine injury).
If you or a loved one is experiencing the above signs and symptoms of neurological injuries, you should go to a treatment facility immediately. You risk permanent damage if you don’t seek timely medical help. Neurological issues can still be treated, visit us at Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology today.
Ways to Treat Neurological Injury
Treatment of neurological injuries is usually complex and the outcome may depend on several different factors, which include the patient’s age, the patient’s health, the severity of the injury, as well as the future of emerging developments in brain and nerve treatments.
Neurological injuries are usually permanent, including many spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and nerve damage. Treatment is often focused on therapy to help the person live with the injury and increase independence in their daily lives.
Here are the most common treatment options.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is aimed at helping and treating patients with a neurological injury that contributes to pain, or to loss of balance, range of motion, strength, or coordination. The primary goal of physical therapy is restoring and maintaining the person’s ability to move and perform physical tasks.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is used to assess how well patients are able to perform various daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc. Its primary goal is to help train patients to regain their normal state of independence, required productivity, as well as desired satisfaction.
Speech Therapy
Neurological injuries may sometimes result in patients having problems with speech and thinking skills. Speech therapy helps those with communication and swallowing problems due to a neurological injury, including language, speech, and cognitive-communication challenges.
Mental Health Counseling
Mental health counseling is used to address cognitive and/or behavioral issues related to neurological injury. It is also used to help patients who need help adjusting to changes in their levels of ability. Cognitive therapy, stress reduction techniques, and various other treatments can be used in conjunction with mental health counseling.
Pain Management
Patients who suffer chronic pain from a neurological injury can find neurological pain management treatments particularly beneficial. The treatments are aimed at mitigating pain not through intervention at the injury site, but where it is actually experienced in the neural pathways as well as the processing centers of the brain and spine.
What to Look for When Choosing a Neurology Specialist
Finding the right specialist is critical, especially when dealing with neurological issues. Whether you are experiencing seizures, chronic headaches, or other motor or nerve symptoms, finding the best neurologist is essential for getting the right care and treatment.
If you’re looking for a neurologist, here are some tips to help you choose one.
Get Referrals
The first thing you should do is review the references provided by your primary care physician. If you don’t have a family doctor, ask family, friends, and other healthcare providers for recommendations. Take the time to research the credentials and experience of every doctor on your list.
Credentials
Look for a neurologist who’s board-certified in the field of neurology. Physicians should be forthcoming in providing information about their educational background and experience in the field of neurology. Look for well-rounded neurologists who continually hone their craft through continued education.
Don’t forget to check with the state’s licensing board to find out whether any claims or complaints have been made against the doctor.
Experience
The doctor’s experience matters when you or a loved one is facing a severe neurological illness. The greater the experience a neurologist has with treating a particular condition, the better your chances of getting better. Ask the neurologist about their experience and the number of patients they have successfully treated.
Check Patient Reviews
Reading reviews from other patients can offer valuable insights into the neurologist’s practice. Websites such as Google Reviews, Vitals, and Healthgrades usually have patient feedback that can help you gauge the doctor’s communication skills, practice staff, and overall patient satisfaction. While a single complaint may not be cause for concern, multiple complaints may indicate a real issue.
Insurance
One of the most important considerations when choosing a neurologist is insurance acceptance. Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and determine if a referral is required.
Contact Our Leading Rock Hill Neurology Experts Today!
If you are having symptoms of a neurological problem, don’t allow yourself to suffer and experience more pain. Let us help you. As one of the leading neurological centers in Rock Hill, we can diagnose and treat it the right way today.
Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology has an elite team of neurology specialists that offer neurological problem diagnosis, treatment, and pain management in Rock Hill and many other areas in South Carolina. Call us today at 704-412-3045 to book an appointment.
