What kind of tests does a neurologist do

Patients can benefit from the expertise of a neurologist who is familiar with the latest research and treatment options for MS and other neurological conditions. Nhu Bruce, neurologist at Houston Methodist, also commonly sees patients for: Uncontrolled headaches Memory loss Imbalance Numbness and pain If you're experiencing these symptoms, you probably have a lot of questions.

Common reasons to visit a neurologist "A thorough neurological exam is the most important tool I have as a neurologist," Dr. Bruce says these are the six signs that it is time to visit a neurologist. Chronic or severe headaches If you get migraine headaches, you should probably make an appointment with a neurologist, especially when the symptoms are associated with neurological deficits or tried treatments prove ineffective.

Chronic pain When pain is chronic , and your primary care doctor can't help you manage it, you should consider a referral to a neurologist because there could be another underlying reason for the symptoms. Dizziness Experiencing vertigo feeling like you're spinning or having difficulty keeping your balance could be a sign of something more serious. Numbness or tingling Numbness or tingling, especially when it occurs on one side of the body or comes on suddenly, could be a sign of a stroke or other serious condition.

Movement problems Difficulty walking, shuffling your feet, tremors and unintentional jerks, can all be signs of a nervous system problem. This is the area around the spinal cord. The pressure in the spinal canal and brain can then be measured. A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid CSF can be removed and sent for testing to find out if there is an infection or other problems. CSF is the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. Evoked potentials. This test records the brain's electrical response to visual, auditory, and sensory stimuli.

This test uses dye injected into the spinal canal to make the structure clearly visible on X-rays. This test uses ultra high-frequency sound waves.

It allows the healthcare provider to analyze blood flow in cases of possible stroke. Ultrasound sonography. This imaging test uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to make images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs.

Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function. Sections for Neurology Department home Sections Request an appointment.

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