A neurologist is a doctor who treats problems that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Two specific areas of treatment that neurologists deal with are chronic pain and sleep disorders.
Pain treatment
Neurologists not only identify and manage devastating muscle disorders like MS; they also provide a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain.
Pain is transmitted to the brain through the nervous system, which identifies a foreign stimulus and translates the degree of injury into pain. The spinal cord houses a bundle of nerves that sends the pain message to the brain within seconds.
With chronic pain, these messages sometimes don’t stop when the injury heals. Long-term conditions such as arthritis are thought to be a contributing factor to ongoing pain messages because pathways can be damaged. This is believed to overstimulate the pain center and create a memory. Although there is no current injury, the pain response feels the same.
Whether the pain is short-term or long-term or the result of trauma or unknown causes, a neurologist is often the best option to limit suffering. Based on the medical history, physical disabilities, and sites of pain, the neurologist may order a series of tests to determine the actual cause and pathway of the pain. Once diagnosed, the treatment plan is discussed and put into action.
Sleep disorders
In addition to pain control, a neurologist can help with sleep disorders. There are many of these disorders with a variety of causes. Here are some of the more common sleep disorders a neurologist can treat:
Sleep Apnea – Sleep apnea is a common disorder that has the potential to cause serious health problems if left uncorrected. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissues in the throat collapse or the tongue sinks into the throat preventing proper breathing. However, there is another form known as central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain does not send the message for the respiratory muscles to do their job. Long-term effects can be serious, including heart attacks, enlarged hearts and/or heart failure, strokes, and headaches.
Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy is another sleep disorder with significant repercussions. This condition is often considered a neurological problem, although not all cases are the same. Some patients experience paralysis when they first wake up and are unable to move their limbs. Other patients have fallen asleep while working or even while driving a car.
Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder that may make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Comorbid insomnia is the inability to sleep due to other conditions, such as depression or chronic pain.
Proper diagnosis is crucial to treating and managing these disorders. Sleep studies may be required to determine oxygen levels and brain waves during sleep. An EEG will test electrical activity while you are sleeping or experiencing sleep apnea. In addition, genetic history and tests may be suggested to identify the underlying health problems causing the sleep disorder.
Once the diagnosis is made, treatment begins and the suffering is lessened or eliminated. Seeking the help of a neurologist in the early stages of the disease or disorder will limit the damage caused by unknown conditions. It can be as simple as a change in diet or medication to alter patterns and restore a normal, restful night’s sleep.