When to See a Neurologist: Your Guide

Being referred to a neurologist can feel quite daunting to any new patient. It’s not just about those feelings of anxiety that you can sometimes experience when you see a new doctor, but also the awareness that this type of physician deals with problems with the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

However, there are some health conditions that require an urgent neurologist appointment, or they might become life-threatening. If you want to know when to see a neurologist, take a look at the list of symptoms below. If any of them sounds familiar, make sure to ring your doctor right away.

1. Chronic Migraines

Do you consistently wake up with a pounding headache? Are you on medication for headaches that don’t seem to work? Do you often get symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision together with your chronic headaches?

If so, then it might be a sign that it’s time to see a neurologist. Whether yours is a constant tension headache or a migraine, a neurologist can help by diagnosing the problem and provide you with a treatment that helps ease your symptoms.

2. Sudden Memory Loss

Occasional forgetfulness is usually nothing to worry about. But when your memory loss becomes regular, then this might point to a neurological problem.

If you have noticed that your memory loss is negatively affecting your ability to work and function in your daily life, then calling a doctor is paramount.

3. Seizures

One of the most dangerous things about seizures is that they don’t always necessarily cause people to fall over and lose consciousness. Sometimes, the symptoms are much subtler and therefore more difficult to identify.

If, however, you feel like you are mentally troubled and worry about, for example, repeating some actions over and over again every day without being fully aware of it, then it might be worth speaking to a neurologist.

4. Sleep Disorders

Some neurologists are also sleep experts and functional neurologists (read this if you are wondering “what is functional neurology“), which means that they can help if you are experiencing sleep disorders. Some of the most common disorders that neurologists can diagnose and treat include sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome.

Conditions like sleep apnea, in particular, can pose a threat to your cardiovascular health. Therefore, be sure to speak with a doctor if you suffer from it.

5. Ministrokes

These strokes are also called “transient ischemic attacks” and are different from major strokes because they come with milder symptoms. However, such symptoms should not be disregarded: if a ministroke is brushed off, it can pave the way to a much more dangerous stroke.

Some of the symptoms that people experience with ministrokes include temporary loss of sight, slurred speech, imbalance, and confusion. As soon as you notice any of these, make sure to ring your doctor.

Know When to See a Neurologist to Treat Your Condition

Now that you know when to see a neurologist to diagnose and treat a potential condition, you can enjoy a healthier life. Remember that some symptoms of neurological disorders are quite subtle, but this doesn’t mean that they should be neglected.

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