Neurology
Introduction
Neurology
Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It has two major divisions:
- Central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral nervous system: all other neural elements, such as eyes, ears, skin, and other “sensory receptors”
The neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, such as:
- Cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke
- Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis
- Headache disorders
- Infections of the brain and peripheral nervous system
- Movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease
- Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
- Spinal cord disorders
- Speech and language disorders
Treatment
The Advantages of Being a Neurologist:
Neurologists are medical doctors who deal specifically with diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the brain and neurological system. Educational standards are rigorous to get into this specialized area of medicine, with four years of medical school on top of an undergraduate degree, along with a one-year internship and three years of vocational training, according to the American Academy of Neurology.