The Neurologist Will See You Now



So, you have a headache that is disrupting your life? Your physician is worried about your symptoms, so where does he send you now?

Chances are you will be referred to a neurologist. And headaches are just one of many reasons why a doctor may refer a patient to a neurologist, a specialist in disorders of the nervous system.

“The nervous system – including our central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, blood vessels and muscle – is vital to keeping our bodies work like an amazing instrument,” says C. Daniel Ansevin, MD, board-certified neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital.

“Your nervous system and cardiovascular system are the two most important things keeping you alive," says Dr. Ansevin.

But when things start going wrong, we want to make sure it’s nothing serious. Most of us know it’s time to see a cardiologist when our heart’s not working right, but when is it time to call in the neurologist?

The answer isn’t simple, but there are some specific instances when you need to make the call. “Often times a headache is the earliest sign of a neurological problem,” explains Dr. Ansevin. But many headaches are of the routine variety, perhaps a tension headache caused by increased stress.

However, if you find your headaches are frequent and become almost unbearable, and you have no previous history of migraines, there may be something wrong. It’s time to call your doctor, particularly if these kinds of headaches are interfering with your normal eating, sleeping and working patterns.

It’s also time to call your doctor if you start having vision or hearing problems. Ringing in the ears is often nothing more than an annoyance, but in conjunction with serious headaches, it could be sign of a blood clot that has developed in the brain. This needs to be caught as soon as possible, so don't wait to make an appointment with a neurologist.

Any trauma to the head – even if it seems minor – will typically require a trip to a neurologist. Hitting your head can easily lead to brain injury, which can immediately or gradually cause memory loss, motor function impairment, paralysis, or even death.

Neurologists also often treat musculoskeletal conditions, which are often responsible for chronic pain. If your family physician is having a difficulty with a treatment solution, you may ask to be referred to a neurologist.

You may also be referred to a neurologist if you have a change in bowel or bladder function, change in mental status, difficult swallowing, dizziness, double vision, fainting, forgetfulness, numbness, pain in the neck or back, seizures, slurred speech, tingling or weakness. These symptoms have many causes, such as decreased blood flow to the brain, chemical imbalances, autoimmune disorders or damage from diabetes. Make an appointment with your physician, and ask whether a visit to a neurologist is warranted.