Neurology

What is neurology?

Neurology focuses on the health of your brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Your central nervous system includes the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord. Your peripheral nervous system consists of the other nerves throughout your body.

When working as it should, this system is responsible for your thoughts, sensations, movements, and bodily functions. Neurological disorders can affect the system’s functions. Some signs of a neurological problem are:

• Numbness or tingling
• Unexplained widespread pain
• Muscle weakness
• Balance and coordination issues
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Foot drop (trouble lifting the front part of your foot)
• Aphasia (loss of ability to understand words or to speak)
• Problems with your senses
  
  

You should report symptoms like these in detail to your Vantage Medical Associates PC doctor. Be sure to include how long you’ve had them, whether there are behaviors that make them worse, and how severe they are.

What are the most common neurological disorders?

The team at Vantage Medical Associates PC diagnoses and treats common and uncommon neurological disorders. Their specialties include:

Stroke

A stroke happens when a part of your brain loses its oxygen supply. This can be caused by a blood clot or a hemorrhage. The effects of a stroke depend on the exact place in your brain that isn’t getting the blood it needs to function correctly. A ministroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), causes similar symptoms and is often a warning sign of a future stroke.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

MS affects the central nervous system. It's caused by your immune system attacking the myelin sheath, a fatty insulating layer around your nerves. Without the myelin sheath, your nerves can suffer permanent damage.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition. It gets worse over time. Its primary symptoms are memory loss, disorientation, and confusion.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a misunderstood nervous system disorder that boosts pain signals. It can cause you to feel widespread pain without any apparent cause. It can also cause fatigue and sleep issues.

Migraine

Migraine is a disorder that gives you debilitating headaches and sensory symptoms. During a migraine, you might experience intense light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and dizziness.

Which neurology treatments and services are available?

Vantage Medical Associates PC treats your neurological condition based on the part of your nervous system it affects and your symptoms. Many treatments can slow the progression of neurological disease or reduce its effects. Your individualized plan can include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Medication management
• Neurostimulation therapies
• Dietary changes
• Smoking cessation
  
  

Before you start treatment and throughout your care at Vantage Medical Associates PC, the team dies neurological exams that test your reflexes, coordination, and strength. They might also recommend other brain and nerve function tests, like an electroencephalogram (EEG) or electromyography (EMG).