Neurology

The following activities are carried out in the neurology office:

• specialist consultations
• complete neurological examination
• treatment recommendations for acute and chronic conditions
• follow-up of the evolution of the patient with neurological disorders

Consultations are by prior appointment and are free of charge with a referral from the family doctor.

Types of neurological disorders

Neurological manifestations are caused by the nervous system or by what interferes with the normal function of the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of two parts:

• the central nervous system – which includes the brain and spinal cord – acts as a central processing station.
• the peripheral nervous system transmits sensory information between muscles, tissues and nerves throughout the body to the brain. When these connections are disrupted, neurological symptoms occur.

Neurological symptoms often originate from the peripheral nervous system and include burning, numbness, stinging, muscle weakness or paralysis and tenderness. These symptoms may be caused by a local trauma, where the pain is directly related to an injury, or by a systemic disease, which may affect the whole body.

Pain may be an expression of a more complex condition: the pain sensation may be felt in a part of the body where no injury has occurred or no disease is locally manifest. This type of pain is the most difficult to diagnose and treat.

Neurological symptoms can be triggered by one or more nerves. Some syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome occur when a nerve is compressed and deprived of proper blood flow. Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathies, in which nerves are damaged due to too high sugar levels.

Neurological symptoms may also be characteristic of autoimmune diseases (lupus, Gullain-Barre syndrome) or viruses (HIV, Epstein-Barr) or varicella-zoster virus. Neurological manifestations due to dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous system (part of the peripheral nervous system) can interrupt involuntary actions such as breathing, swallowing, bladder control or sweating. These may be accompanied by changes in blood pressure (dizziness, loss of consciousness). Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms as your life could be in danger.