Updated on 26/12/2022
Neurology is the branch involved with the diagnosis and treatment of the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex system regulating the body activities. Problems related to specific senses may sometimes also be based on the nervous system, and thus, people having problems with their senses such as sight, smell or touch may also need to visit a neurologist.
A Neurologist treat conditions that affect the nervous system that includes the brain, spine, nerves. The system controls consciousness, muscle movement, thinking and the senses, such as smell, touch and sight. It is a complex structure so a neurologist may choose to specialize in certain areas and / or conditions of the system. These subspecialties may be:
Specialty Fields of Prof. Dr. Dilek Necioğlu Örken:
Headaches are one of the most common neurological diseases and can be seen in everyone at some point in their life, regardless of age, gender or race. It is a very common condition that also causes pain and discomfort in the scalp and neck. Headaches may be mild, but in many cases, there may be a feeling of pain and discomfort to such extent that can affect the daily life of the person.
The incidence of headaches is around 90% and there are many types of headaches. Among the most common types come headaches due to high blood pressure. This type of aches can manifest with mild, moderate or severe pain in the head, neck and behind the eyes. It can occur as a result of muscle contractions in the head and neck region due to various stressors, physical activities or foods. If the person is experiencing severe and/or persistent headaches, they should be referred by their doctor to a neurologist.
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Migraine differs from other types of headaches as it is coupled with other symptoms in addition to pain. Typically, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound (photophobia/phonophobia) are observed. In such cases, it is recommended to visit a neurologist. Migraines differ from other headaches in that they have various phases. However, not everyone necessarily go through the same phases to the same degree.
It is usually difficult to predict when a migraine attack will occur, but the attack pattern can be predicted depending on the phases. The phases for migraine based headaches can be as follows:
Knowing the attack pattern can be helpful in diagnosis and in taking medication in the early stages of headache.
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Stroke is the disruption of blood flow in the brain due to ischemia (87%) or haemorrhage (13%). Brain cells begin to die within minutes. Strokes are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment to minimize brain damage and possible complications. In the recovery process, it is necessary for the neurologist to continue the treatment by making some examinations in order to avoid such a stroke in the future. A person who has had a stroke may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Stroke may develop due to ischemic or haemorrhagic grounds. Stroke due to haemorrhage occurs due to leakage or bursting of a capillary. This can occur due to uncontrolled high blood pressure, overuse of blood thinners, or an aneurysm. Stroke is a branch of neurology.
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An ischemic stroke occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage in the cerebral vessels. In some patients, temporary disturbances occur in the blood flow to the brain, which is called Transient Ischemic Attack and does not cause permanent damage. Carotid artery diseases are seen in 20% of ischemic strokes. The jugular veins provide about 80% of the blood flow to the brain. In the event of a blockage, blood flow to the brain is cut off or severely reduced. Carotid artery diseases cause transient ischemic attacks or ischemic strokes.
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Multiple Sclerosis is a central nervous system disease in which the body's immune system attacks the myelin layers that protect nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. There is risk of damage to or destruction of nerve cells in this attack. The main cause of the symptoms seen in MS disease is this disorder in the nerve signals that traverse the entire body. The disease can cause the nerve cells themselves to wear out or be permanently damaged over time. MS is a neurological disease, and necessary treatments are administered by a neurologist.
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Dementia is the loss of cognitive functions due to a disorder in the brain. A mental deterioration that can be characterized as dementia is expected to initially impair more than one cognitive function. In addition, occupational performance must be persistent and often progressive, severe enough to cause significant impairment in daily living activities, which can be summarized as independence on the street and in financial affairs, use of ordinary gadgets, hobbies, housework, and self-care. Although Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, there are various other types.
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Dizziness or, in other words, vertigo is the feeling that the person or their surroundings are spinning or moving. Vertigo is the Latin name for dizziness, and therefore it is a symptom, not a disease. There are many diseases that cause this symptom. The important thing is to diagnose the underlying disease causing dizziness. Causes of dizziness can be divided into central and peripheral. The most common causes of vertigo are diseases of the inner ear, which we call peripheral. However, in every vertigo, central, that is, brain-related diseases, must be investigated and excluded. In particular, diseases such as stroke and tumour that may occur in the cerebellum or brain stem, which is our balance organ, are included in the differential diagnosis.
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