A neurologist is a doctor who treats problems that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Two specific areas of treatment that neurologists treat are chronic pain and sleep disorders.
Pain treatment
Neurologists not only identify and manage devastating muscle disorders like MS; they also provide 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 in seconds.
With chronic pain, these messages sometimes don’t stop when the injury healed. Long-term conditions, such as arthritis, are believed to be a contributing factor to ongoing pain messages because the 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 long-term or short-term, or the result of trauma or unknown causes, a neurologist is often the best option to limit suffering. Depending on the medical history, physical impairments, and pain sites, 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 various causes. Here are some of the more common sleep disorders that a neurologist can address:
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a common disorder that has the potential to cause serious health problems if it is not corrected. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat tissues collapse or the tongue falls back into the throat, preventing adequate breathing from occurring. However, there is another form known as central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain does not send the message to the respiratory muscles to do their job. Long-term effects can be serious, including heart attacks, enlarged heart and / or heart failure, strokes, and headaches.
Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is another sleep disorder with major 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 cannot move their limbs. Other patients have fallen asleep while working or even driving a car.
Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can 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 essential to treat and control these disorders. Sleep studies may be required to determine oxygen levels and brain waves during sleep. An EEG will test electrical activity while you sleep or experience sleep apnea. Also, genetic history and tests may be suggested to identify underlying health problems causing the sleep disorder.
Once the diagnosis is made, the treatment begins and the suffering diminishes or is eliminated. Seeking the help of a neurologist early in the illness or disorder will limit the damage caused by unknown conditions. It can be as simple as a diet change or medication to alter patterns and restore a good night’s sleep.
