When to Consult a Neurosurgeon?

Most people confuse neurosurgery with brain surgeries. But that's not the complete truth. Neurosurgery is a vast branch that deals with the disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems (brain, spine, and nerves). Nearly 23 million patients suffer from neurological injuries or disorders worldwide. Thanks to the advancements in medical science, most of these cases are successfully treated with new-age surgical techniques like minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery.

The best neurosurgeons in countries like India, Thailand, Germany, Turkey, and the UAE provide comprehensive neurosurgical evaluation and treatment at affordable prices. This blog discusses various reasons why you should consult a neurosurgeon and what to expect during the consultation.

When Do You Need to See a Neurosurgeon?

Consulting a neurosurgical specialist is essential for various neurological and spinal conditions. Here are five reasons why you might need to see a neurosurgeon:

• Epilepsy and Seizures: Epilepsy and seizure disorders can affect people of any gender, age, and race. These disorders have a significant impact on a patient's individual life. People who have epilepsy are given medications as a primary treatment. However, if medicines don't work, a neurosurgeon will further decide the course of treatment, which generally includes epilepsy surgery or implantable devices. 
• Spinal Disorders: You should consult a neurosurgeon for spinal issues like scoliosis, kyphosis, herniated discs, lordosis, spinal stenosis, slipped discs, etc. A neurosurgeon can also be helpful in case you've been suffering from chronic neck or back pain, numbness, or weakness in your limbs. They help you with diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatments.
• Brain and Spine Tumors: Cancer or tumors are abnormal masses of cells. They can either be benign or malignant. Brain and spine tumors develop in the tissue inside the brain or spinal cord, which constitutes the central nervous system (CNS). Brain and spinal tumor consultation with a neurosurgeon specializing in diagnosing and treating these tumors is essential for comprehensive patient care. Craniotomy is the most common treatment modality for managing brain tumors.
• Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injuries: A neurosurgeon's expertise is necessary in case of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord injuries (SCI). They perform life-saving procedures that help reduce intracranial pressure after a severe head injury. They are also helpful in treating spinal fractures. They play a major role in the recovery of patients with traumatic injuries.
• Chronic Headaches and Migraines: Most headaches are temporary and resolve with OTC medications. There can be a multitude of reasons behind your headaches. However, chronic headaches and migraines are excruciating and affect your quality of life. You must consult a neurosurgeon for headaches and migraines evaluation if –
  • You experience persistent headaches upon waking up.
  • Your headaches are accompanied by nausea, dizziness, or seizures.
  • You take daily medications for headaches.
  • Your headaches make you hypersensitive to strong odors, light, and loud noises.

What to Expect During an Appointment With a Neurosurgeon?

Since now you know when to see a neurosurgeon, you would be curious about what would happen during the consultation. Your neurosurgeon will first take your past medical history. You can expect questions like –

• How often do you experience the symptoms?
• How long have you been experiencing the symptoms?
• Do you have any previous illness (of the brain or spinal cord)?
• What medications are you taking currently?

A neurosurgeon will then do a physical exam to check your strength, physical sensations, speech, coordination, and reflexes. 

The surgeon can also advise diagnostic tests like MRI scans, CT scans, X-rays, cerebral angiograms, etc., for a proper and final diagnosis of the disease. On reviewing the reports, they will discuss and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. Before finalizing the plan, they will inform you about all your options and the pros and cons of each option.

The Bottom Line

Various reasons warrant a consultation with neurosurgeons. Common ones are brain and spinal cord tumors, epilepsy and seizures, headaches and migraines, spinal injuries, herniated discs, kyphosis, scoliosis, etc. Consult top neurosurgeons to get a personalized treatment plan.