What is Neurology?

Neurology addresses disorders or conditions that affect the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves that extend from the spinal cord throughout the body.

What is a Neurologist?

Neurologists are physicians who specialize in the field of neurology. They diagnose, treat and manage patients with neurological disorders, as well as related conditions in the musculoskeletal system.

Neurologists are usually certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Additional years of clinical training allow them to narrow their focus to a specific group of patients or conditions. Examples of neurology subspecialties are:

• Autonomic disorders
• Child neurology
• Epilepsy
• Geriatric neurology
• Headache medicine
• Intervention neuroradiology
• Neurocritical care
• Neuromuscular medicine
• Neuro-oncology
• Vascular (stroke care)

What are the Most Common Neurological Conditions?

Neurologists help diagnose and treat the following conditions:

• Headache disorders such as:
  • Migraine
  • Cluster headache
  • Tension headache
• Epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Neurodegenerative disorders, including:
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)
• Cerebrovascular disease, such as transient ischemic attack and stroke
• Sleep disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Infections of the brain:
  • Encephalitis
  • Brain meninges (meningitis)
  • Spinal cord (myelitis)
• Growths or tumors of the brain, spinal cord or the peripheral nerves
• Movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease
• Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as:
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Spinal cord disorders, such as:
  • Tumors
  • Infections
  • Trauma
  • Malformations
• Disorders of peripheral nerves, muscles and neuromuscular junctions
• Traumatic injuries to the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves
• Altered mental status, encephalopathy, stupor and coma

When Should You See a Neurologist?

Talk with a neurologist in San Antonio if you experience any of the neurological symptoms indicated above. At the same time, if you have a family history of a neurological disorder or if you are at a higher risk for stroke, please schedule an appointment with a physician to learn how you can prevent a stroke as well as how you can lower your risk for a neurological problem.

Remember that Baptist Health System’s neurology care team is here for you with the compassion and expertise that makes us a community built on care. And as always, your safe care is our #1 priority.

For life-threatening emergencies, such as a stroke, please call 911 immediately.