Why Would I Need a Neurology Doctor?
The most common reason you might need to see our physicians is if you’re experiencing persistent headaches. We can advise you on lifestyle changes to bring relief from headaches, but we can also prescribe medications for pain or even administer Botox injections for migraine headaches.
You may need to visit our center if you’re been in an accident that involved your head or back. Other symptoms include:
- Vertigo, dizziness or balance issues
- Tingling sensations in your fingers or toes
- Memory problems
- Slurring your words
- Muscle spasms or twitches
- Seizures
- Head pain
- Eyesight that’s different than usual, including blurring and partial or full vision loss
- Changes in your speech
- Neuropathy, which is the loss of feeling or sensation in one place in your body
Before symptoms crop up, you should see us if you have a family history of:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Migraines
- Strokes
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Brain or spinal cord tumors
- Neuropathy
Our doctors can order tests on your brain, such as an MRI or CT scan, to establish a baseline of how your brain and spinal cord are working. This way, changes can be tracked as soon as they’re noticed. Early detection means you can begin an early intervention plan.
How Can I Prevent Neurological Disorders?
A healthy diet provides the best first line of defense against brain and nerve problems. Ensure that your brain receives sufficient nutrients to operate effectively, since it uses nearly 20 percent of your body’s energy stores, even though it only represents about two percent of your weight. At this multi-specialty clinic in Queens, you’re provided with a diet plan that suits your lifestyle and tastes. The best diet for a healthy brain consists of food, such as:
- Complex carbohydrates that come from whole grains and starchy foods like rice and pasta
- Amino acids like those found in milk and oats — they also stave off mood swings and depression
- Essential fatty acids found in oily fish, olive oil and avocados
- Vitamins and minerals, especially folate and B12
- Antioxidants, abundant in green tea and dark chocolate
Regular exercise routines ensure your brain receives sufficient blood flow. Seven to eight hours of sleep helps to elevate your mood and improve concentration. Stimulating mental activities like puzzles and word games also serve to keep your mind sharp and reduce your risk of dementia.
What Other Changes Should I Make?
Whether you have a family history that puts you at a higher risk of developing neurological conditions or not, you can take steps to reduce symptoms or even prevent them all together. These tips include:
- Managing any underlying medical conditions that affect your nerves and brain — such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes and hormonal imbalances
- Getting immediate treatment for infections that can creep into your brain and bloodstream
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume, or giving it up entirely
- Seeing a nephrology specialist if you have kidney problems
Fortunately, at the Medex, specialists in almost every field of medicine are housed under one huge roof. If your internist suspects you’re at risk for neurological problems, you can get an immediate in-house referral.
What Should I Expect?
Like most specialists, your doctor speaks extensively with you on your first visit to learn more about your lifestyle, any symptoms you’re experiencing and your family’s medical history. You’ll receive a thorough neurological exam.
You may undergo tests that either rule out other conditions causing your symptoms or find a neurological cause for them. Subsequent steps to take include:
- Seeing an ENT specialist to check for ear infections that may impact your balance or cause dizziness
- Getting a nerve conduction test to rule out a pinched nerve
- Visiting an ophthalmologist on staff to make sure all is good with the nerves in your eyes
- Undergoing lab and imaging tests, as well as genetic testing, to uncover conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease
- Being sent for a brain scan
- Receiving a biopsy that helps to diagnose neuromuscular disorders like diabetic neuropathy and Lou Gehrig’s disease