Neurologists specialize in treating brain and nervous system diseases and injuries. They diagnose and treat conditions such as brain injuries, tumors, and degenerative diseases. Medical imaging devices are used to diagnose brain conditions, and treatment options include medication and therapy. Becoming a brain specialist requires years of medical training and continuing education.
A brain specialist, more commonly called a neurologist, is a type of doctor who specializes in diseases and injuries involving the brain and nervous system. Conditions treated by these specialists include brain injuries and tumors, degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and injuries that occur from external forces such as automobile accidents from falls. While all brain specialists are trained in diagnosing and treating disorders with medication, some become neurosurgeons and specialize in the surgical aspects of the field.
The human brain is essentially the control center for the entire body, and even the slightest damage to certain regions can result in serious consequences such as paralysis or death. Examples of less extreme outcomes caused by brain damage include temporary or permanent loss of hearing, vision, speech, and long-term or short-term memory. The brain specialist is trained to analyze a set of symptoms and determine which part of the brain may be damaged. From there, they use different tools to diagnose the damage and formulate a treatment plan.
Diagnosing brain conditions often requires the use of a medical imaging device, most commonly a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine or a computed axial tomography (CAT) scan. These devices allow brain specialists to take a closer look at the inside of the brain and assess its function. They also allow specialists to look at abnormal masses, such as lesions or blood clots. Other tests include an electroencephalogram to measure brain wave activity and a lumbar puncture — commonly referred to as a spinal cord tap — which tests spinal fluid for bacteria and other abnormalities.
After a brain specialist determines the source of the problem, the next step is to determine the course of treatment. Certain conditions, such as bacterial encephalitis or swelling of the brain as a result of an infection, can be treated with antibiotics and other medications. Many degenerative brain diseases are incurable, but their progression can be slowed and some of the symptoms alleviated by medicine and therapy. Brain surgery is usually used as a last resort because it is a risky procedure.
Becoming a brain specialist requires years of medical training, starting with an undergraduate degree in premedical training. After basic education is completed, students typically attend a medical program, followed by a period of time as an intern and several years as a resident. After meeting all education requirements, students take an exam to become board-certified neurologists. Most brain specialists must continue to take advanced classes throughout their careers to keep up with changes in the field.
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