Neurology

Neurology is the branch of medicine that is focused on the treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

The healthcare provider who specializes in neurology is called a neurologist. After completing medical school, healthcare providers specializing in adult neurology complete 1 year of residency in internal medicine and 3 years of neurology residency. Some neurologists complete further fellowship training in various subspecialties of neurology.

Neurologists treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These include:

• Muscle disorders and pain

• Headache

• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders

• Neuritis and neuropathy

• Brain and spinal cord tumors

• Multiple sclerosis

• Parkinson disease and other movement disorders

• Stroke

• Myasthenia gravis

• Muscular dystrophy

• Alzheimer disease and other forms of memory problems 

The neurologist sees patients with a wide range of problems. They may act as a patient's main provider or as a consultant. The family healthcare provider (primary care provider) is generally in charge of a patient's total healthcare.