5 Common Conditions A Neurologist Can Treat

This fall, Munson Healthcare announced the official launch of Munson Neurosciences, providing patients across Northern Michigan expanded access to neurology, neurosurgery, and pain services with reduced wait to schedule appointments. Neurological conditions that affect the brain, nerves, and spinal cord impact millions of people, causing unexplained pain, movement difficulties, numbness or tingling, cognition issues, balance problems, vision or speech impairments, and more. 

From headaches to more complex disorders like Parkinson’s disease, neurologists diagnose and manage a wide range of neurological issues that cause uncomfortable, disruptive, and even debilitating symptoms to help you take control of your health and improve your quality of life. 

1. Migraines and Headaches

Do you suffer from debilitating migraines or reoccurring headaches? While a variety of factors can impact headaches, such as dehydration, hormonal changes, and even poor posture, a neurologist can help in many ways, including: 

• Diagnose the type of headaches you’re experiencing 
• Determine if an underlying medical or neurological condition may be causing these headaches
• Help identify triggers and guide possible adjustments to your lifestyle
• Address your pain by prescribing preventative medications and adjunctive treatments, such as physical therapy and rescue medications

2. Neuropathy and Nerve Pain

Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by a variety of other health conditions or injuries, including diabetes, acute injuries (like fractures), infections such as shingles, vitamin deficiencies, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and more.

Often felt in the feet, legs, hands, and/or arms, people with neuropathy can experience painful symptoms such as: 

• Numbness or tingling
• Sensations of throbbing or burning that can be quite painful
• Hypersensitivity to touch
• Difficulty with coordination, simple tasks, walking, balance, and more

Whatever the cause, a neurologist can assess the extent of your nerve damage, identify any possible underlying cause(s), and prescribe treatments – from medication to outpatient procedures like our rapidly growing spinal modulation program – that address your symptoms and prevent further long-term nerve damage from occurring. 

3. Stroke and Post-Stroke Support

Stroke is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Our interventional stroke program, Witham Family Comprehensive Stroke Center at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, is equipped with world-class neuro experts and technology so we can treat even the most complex stroke cases. This keeps stroke patients close to home, ensuring faster, life-saving intervention. Following a stroke, a customized follow-up care plan is critical to recovery. 

Stroke patients typically require post-stroke interventions that may include 1) Preventing the onset of another stroke and 2) Re-training their brains to aid in certain activities, such as walking or talking. At Munson, neurosurgeons, interventional neurologists, neuro-critical care neurologists, and neurohospitalists work alongside physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, stroke and rehabilitation-certified nurses, social workers, dietitians, and more to improve post-stroke symptoms and reduce the likelihood of a future stroke. 

4. Parkinson’s Disease and Other Movement Disorders 

From twitches and tremors to spasms and speech impairment, certain neurological conditions can lead to abnormal movements that can interfere with a person’s day-to-day activities. Movement disorders typically occur due to a breakdown in communication between your central nervous system and either the nerves outside of your brain and spine or your muscles. This disconnection can impact how you move when you choose to (such as having an unsteady stride when you want to walk) and/or cause involuntary movements (such as any sudden jerking or shaking that is out of your control). 

Common movement disorders include but are not limited to:

• Restless leg syndrome
• Tremors
• Ataxia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Dystonia
• And more

Because these movement disorders can worsen over time without medical intervention, working alongside a neurologist who can diagnose and treat these symptoms is critical. 

5. Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

One in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime (Source: Epilepsy Foundation). Seizures affect the brain’s electrical activity, with recurrent seizures leading to a diagnosis of epilepsy, sometimes referred to as a seizure disorder. Seizures can range from short episodes to intense convulsions. Neurologists play a crucial role in diagnosing epilepsy. In the case of isolated seizures, neurologists can help you understand your risk for future seizures. Tests like brain imaging and electroencephalograms (EEGs) help understand possible causes with over half the cases of epilepsy not having a clear cause.

They also work with patients with diagnosed epilepsy to develop a personalized treatment plan, which can include a variety of therapies from medication to surgery as well as suggestions for lifestyle changes that can help prevent seizure triggers. Close monitoring can help minimize frequency of seizures so patients can enjoy a more active life. 

Neurologists are essential in diagnosing and managing a wide range of conditions that begin in the brain, spine, or nerves – and their expertise can make a significant, often life-changing improvement to your pain, mobility, and lifestyle. Beyond the five most common conditions above, neurologists specialize in other conditions, including:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Bell’s palsy
• Brain and spinal cord injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Dementias (including Alzheimer's disease)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune disorders
• Neuro-oncology
• Sleep disorders
• Spinal disorders
• And more

“Often one of our most important jobs as neurologists is to alleviate fear,” says Erica A. Austin, DO, a board-certified specialist in neurology, neurophysiology, and epilepsy at Munson Medical Center. “Our team is knowledgeable and experienced, leading to expert care that answers questions and improves functioning.” 

Learn more about Munson Neurosciences and find a neurologist near you at munsonhealthcare.org/neurosciences.