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What’s The Difference Between A Neurologist And Neurosurgeon?

August 22, 2023
A neurologist is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain and nervous system. They also treat illnesses such as neuro developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and other central nervous system-related conditions. Neurosurgeons are qualified to perform surgical operations on people with chronic diseases that impair the nervous system's normal functioning, such as Parkinson's disease, aneurysms, and congenital disabilities.

When Do You See a Neurologist?

Since neurologists treat patients with disorders affecting the brain and nervous system, there are clear signs that you should be aware of before seeing a neurologist. Here are some typical auto symptoms to help you understand a neurologist's function and the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.
  • Persistent dizziness 
  • Variations in sensations or emotions 
  • Difficulties with balance
  • Headaches 
  • Emotional Confusion 
  • Muscle Fatigue 
  • Persistent sense of heaviness throughout the head

When Do You See a Neurosurgeon?

Neurosurgeons, like Neurologists, treat a variety of diseases. People who visit neurosurgeons are frequently those who have been recommended to do so by neurologists because neurosurgeons perform surgery on the whole nervous system and associated body parts. As we previously mentioned, a neurosurgeon's key role includes surgical procedures. Here are some of the cases they may operate on:
  • Clipping 
  • Endovascular Repair 
  • Disk Removal 
  • Craniotomy 
  • Lumbar Puncture 
  • Aneurysm Repair
Since neurosurgery is one of the most advanced and challenging areas in modern medicine, it often necessitates the collaboration of a team of specialists from various fields, such as plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, manual therapists, interventional radiologists, and others.

Neurologist vs. Neurosurgeon: 

The distinctions between neurologists and neurosurgeons are essential. However, there is a lot of variation between the two in terms of medical management. Neurologists and neurosurgeons both diagnose and manage nervous system disorders, but neurologists do not perform surgery. Neurologists concentrate on finding complex neurological diagnoses that can be treated with other medications or treatments or need close monitoring. Suppose your diagnosis reveals a physical cause for your neurological illness. In that case, your neurologist will refer you to a neurosurgeon if surgery is required to improve your condition or improve your performance. You will almost certainly see a neurologist the first time you visit the Department of Neurology. Your neurologist will perform your initial screening, which could include an MRI, during your first visit. A neurologist will refer you to a neurosurgeon if he notices something troubling that necessitates surgery, such as a tumor. The primary distinction between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon is self-evident. While a neurosurgeon may conduct surgery to treat medical problems, neurologists treat specific conditions with medications and other procedures. The work of neurologists and neurosurgeons is complementary. When treating a condition, a neurologist will recommend that the patient see a neurosurgeon for surgery, with the neurologist handling the long-term treatment.  Both a neurologist and a neurosurgeon can perform complex neurological tests such as EEG and MRI. Still, only neurosurgeons can use the findings to perform surgery to cure the condition, while neurologists can only administer drugs or refer the patient to a neurosurgeon for care.

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