What does a neurologist do?

What is a Neurologist?

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. They focus on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect how the nervous system works, such as migraines, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, and nerve injuries. Unlike surgeons, neurologists generally do not perform surgery; instead, they use tests, scans, and medical treatments to help patients manage or recover from neurological problems.

Neurologists spend a lot of their time meeting with patients, reviewing medical tests, and creating treatment plans. They often work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, neurosurgeons, and primary care doctors, to make sure patients get complete care. Their work can be very rewarding because they help people regain function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.

What does a Neurologist do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Neurologists play an important role in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the nervous system. Their work involves a mix of patient care, testing, and collaboration with other medical professionals.

Diagnosing Neurological Conditions: Neurologists examine patients, review medical histories, and order tests such as MRIs or EEGs to determine the cause of neurological symptoms. They identify conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and nerve injuries.
Developing Treatment Plans: After diagnosing a condition, neurologists create individualized treatment plans. These may include medications, lifestyle changes, therapy, or monitoring the condition over time.
Managing Chronic Conditions: Neurologists help patients manage long-term neurological disorders, tracking progress and adjusting treatments as needed. This can improve quality of life and prevent complications.
Handling Acute Cases: They respond to urgent situations, such as strokes, seizures, or sudden nerve injuries. Quick decision-making is often needed to prevent serious complications.
Collaborating with Other Professionals: Neurologists work closely with neurosurgeons, physical therapists, and primary care physicians. Teamwork ensures that patients receive coordinated, comprehensive care.
Educating Patients and Families: Neurologists explain diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses in simple terms. They provide guidance to help patients and families understand the condition and participate in care decisions.

Types of Neurologists
Neurology has several specialized areas, with each type of neurologist focusing on a specific part of the nervous system or a particular set of conditions. Here are six of the most common types of neurologists:

Stroke Neurologist (Vascular Neurologist): Focuses on diagnosing and treating strokes and other blood flow–related disorders in the brain. They work to prevent future strokes and manage recovery after an event.
Epileptologist: Specializes in epilepsy and seizure disorders. They diagnose different types of seizures and develop treatment plans, including medications and lifestyle strategies.
Pediatric Neurologist: Cares for infants, children, and teenagers with neurological conditions. They treat congenital brain and spinal disorders, seizures, and developmental neurological issues.
Neuromuscular Specialist: Focuses on disorders of the peripheral nerves, muscles, and neuromuscular junctions. Common conditions include muscular dystrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and ALS.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Specialist: Treats patients with multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. They manage symptoms, monitor disease progression, and coordinate long-term care.
Neurocritical Care Specialist: Works in hospital intensive care units, managing patients with severe brain or spinal cord injuries. They handle life-threatening conditions like traumatic brain injuries, brain bleeds, and severe strokes.

Are you suited to be a neurologist?

Neurologists have distinct personalities. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also social, meaning they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly.

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What is the workplace of a Neurologist like?

The workplace of a neurologist is a mix of clinics, hospitals, and sometimes research or academic settings. In clinics, neurologists see patients for checkups, follow-ups, and consultations. They review medical histories, order tests, and discuss treatment options with patients and their families.

In hospitals, neurologists often work with patients who need urgent care or complex monitoring. They may be involved in treating strokes, seizures, or other serious neurological emergencies. This part of the job requires teamwork with nurses, neurosurgeons, and other specialists to make sure patients get coordinated care.

Some neurologists also spend time teaching medical students or conducting research. They stay up to date with new treatments, medical studies, and diagnostic tools. While the work can be challenging and sometimes stressful, it is rewarding because neurologists help patients manage conditions that affect movement, sensation, thinking, and overall quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neurologist vs Neuroscientist

Although the terms sound similar, a neurologist and a neuroscientist have very different roles in the study and care of the nervous system. One focuses on treating patients, while the other focuses on research and understanding how the brain and nerves work.

A neurologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. They see patients, order tests, prescribe medications, and manage chronic or acute neurological disorders, often working in hospitals or clinics.

A neuroscientist, on the other hand, is a researcher who studies the nervous system to understand how it functions, develops, and responds to injury or disease. Neuroscientists usually work in laboratories or academic settings, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to medical and scientific knowledge, but they do not treat patients directly.

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Types of Disorders a Neurologist Treats

Neurologists treat a wide range of disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. These conditions can be chronic, sudden, or progressive, and they often require careful diagnosis and ongoing management.

Stroke: Neurologists treat patients who have had a stroke, helping prevent further damage and guiding recovery of movement, speech, and other functions.
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders: They diagnose and manage different types of seizures, using medications and monitoring strategies to reduce episodes.
Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Diseases: Neurologists help manage conditions where the protective covering of nerves is damaged, addressing symptoms and slowing disease progression.
Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders: They treat disorders that affect movement, coordination, and balance, providing therapies and medications to improve daily function.
Neuromuscular Disorders: Conditions like peripheral neuropathy, muscular dystrophy, and ALS are managed by neurologists who focus on the connection between nerves and muscles.
Headaches and Migraines: Chronic headaches and severe migraines are diagnosed and treated, often through medication, lifestyle changes, and patient education.

Neurologist vs Neurosurgeon

Neurologists and neurosurgeons are both doctors who specialize in the nervous system, but they have different roles.

Neurologists focus on diagnosing and treating conditions of the brain, spine, nerves, and muscles without surgery. They use tests like MRIs, CT scans, and nerve studies to figure out what’s wrong, and treat conditions with medications, lifestyle changes, and therapy. They manage chronic problems like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, migraines, and multiple sclerosis, and may refer patients to neurosurgeons if surgery is needed.

Neurosurgeons, on the other hand, are trained to perform surgery on the nervous system. They treat conditions such as brain tumors, spinal injuries, aneurysms, and degenerative spine problems. They handle surgical procedures, monitor patients after surgery, and work closely with neurologists, therapists, and nurses to help patients recover. Together, neurologists and neurosurgeons provide complete care, with neurologists focusing on medical management and neurosurgeons providing surgical solutions when necessary.

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Doctor Specializations and Degrees

Specializations
The following is a comprehensive list of the various specializations that a doctor can pursue and a brief summary of each specialization:

Allergist: An allergist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, and related conditions. Allergists have specialized training in the recognition and management of allergic reactions.
Anesthesiologist: An anesthesiologist keeps a patient comfortable, safe and pain-free during surgery by administering local or general anesthetic.
Cardiologist: A cardiologist specializes in finding, treating, and preventing diseases that affect the heart, the arteries, and the veins.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon: A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in surgical procedures inside the thorax (the chest), which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. As well as performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs.
Chiropractic Neurologist: A chiropractic neurologist is a specialized type of chiropractor who has undergone additional training in the field of neurology. They diagnose and treat conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the nervous system.
Chiropractor: A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic medicine, specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, especially in the spine. Treatment is usually physical manipulation of the joints and the spine to bring them back into alignment. A chiropractor does not perform surgery or prescribe medication.
Colorectal Surgeon: A colorectal surgeon specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, as well as the entire gastric tract. These surgeons work closely with urologists, who handle the urogenital tract in males and the urinary tract of women, gynecologists, who deal with specific female issues, and gastroenterologists, who deal with diseases of the gut.
Doctor: An general overview of what a doctor does and how to become one.
Dentist: Dentists identify potential oral health issues such as gum disease, as well as examine patients, order medical tests and determine the correct diagnosis and treatment. They also perform oral surgery and remove teeth or address other dental health problems.
Dermatologist: A dermatologist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting skin, hair, sweat and oil glands, nails, and mucus membranes (inside the mouth, nose, and eyelids) which can include cancer.
Emergency Medicine Physician: An emergency medicine physician works in emergency departments, hospitals, and urgent care clinics, and is often the first medical professional that patients see when they are in need of urgent medical care.
Endocrinologist: An endocrinologist specializes in diagnosing conditions and diseases related to the glands and hormones. While primary care doctors know a lot about the human body, for conditions and diseases directly related to glands and hormones they will typically send a patient to an endocrinologist.
Family Practitioner: A family practitioner specializes in caring for the entire family. Patients can be children, adults, and the elderly, and are treated for a wide array of medical issues.
Forensic Pathologist: A forensic pathologist investigates the cause of sudden and unexpected deaths, and is able to determine how a person died by performing an autopsy and studying tissue and laboratory results. These doctors are often called upon to provide evidence in court regarding the cause and time of such deaths.
Gastroenterologist: A gastroenterologist has specific training in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This may include diseases and disorders that affect the the biliary system (liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts), as well as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (colon).
Geriatrician: A geriatrician specializes in the care of elderly patients, and often works with patients who have multiple chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as age-related cognitive and functional impairments.
Gynecologist: A gynecologist specializes in women's reproductive systems. Gynecologists are also sometimes certified as obstetricians, and will monitor the health of the mother and the fetus during a pregnancy.
Hematologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, such as anemia and leukemia.
Hospitalist: A hospitalist is a physician whose focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Their duties include patient care, teaching, research, and leadership related to hospital medicine.
Immunologist: An immunologist specializes in managing problems related to the immune system, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. A smaller number of immunologists are strictly researchers seeking to better understand how the immune system works and to help develop better ways of diagnosing and providing treatment for many immunological conditions.
Infectious Disease Specialist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
Internist: An internist is a 'doctor of internal medicine' who can diagnose, treat, and practice compassionate care for adults across the spectrum, from health to complex illness. They are not to be mistaken with "interns," who are doctors in their first year of residency training.
Medical Examiner: Medical examiners are responsible for performing autopsies and collecting evidence related to the circumstances of a death, including medical history, physical examination findings, and toxicology tests.
Naturopathic Physician: A naturopathic physician blends modern scientific medical practice and knowledge with natural and traditional forms of medical treatment. The goal is to treat the underlying causes of disease while stimulating the body's own healing abilities.
Nephrologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. They treat conditions such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, hypertension, and electrolyte imbalances.
Neurologist: A neurologist specializes in treating diseases that affect the human nervous system. It is a very prestigious and difficult medical specialty due to the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.
Neurosurgeon: A neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes congenital anomalies, trauma, tumours, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.
Obstetrician: An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Occupational Physician: Occupational medicine is focused on keeping individuals well at work, both mentally and physically. As workplaces become more complex, occupational physicians play an important role in advising people on how their work can affect their health.
Oncologist: An oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The three primary types of oncologists are: medical oncologists that specialize in the administration of drugs to kill cancer cells; surgical oncologists that perform surgical procedures to identify and remove cancerous tumors; and radiation oncologists that treat cancer with radiation therapy.
Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is a specialist that deals specifically with the structure, function, diseases, and treatment of the eye. Due to the complexities and the importance of the eye as a special sense that provides vision, the discipline of ophthalmology is dedicated solely to this organ.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats dental and medical problems involving the oral cavity and the maxillofacial area. The maxillofacial area includes the bones of the forehead, face, cheekbones and the soft tissues. Treatment often involves performing surgery and related procedures to treat diseases, defects, or injuries, and to improve function or appearance.
Orthodontist: An orthodontist specializes in how the jaws and teeth are aligned. They help people whose teeth are misaligned or require some kind of correction – those with an improper bite, or malocclusion.
Orthopedic Surgeon / Orthopedist: An orthopaedic surgeon (or orthopedist) examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This system includes the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves.
Osteopathic Physician: Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are fully licensed medical doctors who diagnose, treat, and help prevent illness and injury, with an added focus on the body’s musculoskeletal system. They combine conventional medical practices with a holistic approach that emphasizes whole-person care and preventive health.
Otolaryngologist: Otolaryngologists (or ENT physicians) are specialists trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. These specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery.
Pathologist: A pathologist studies the causes, nature, and effects of disease. The field of pathology is broad with concentrations on changes in cells, tissues, and organs that are the result of a disease.
Pediatrician: A pediatrician specializes in providing medical care to infants, children and teenagers by administering treatments, therapies, medications and vaccinations to treat illness, disorders or injuries.
Periodontist: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in oral inflammation, and who knows how to prevent, diagnose, and treat periodontal disease.
Plastic Surgeon: A plastic surgeon specializes in reshaping healthy body parts for aesthetic reasons, and also in repairing or replacing body parts damaged by accidents, illness or malformation.
Podiatrist: A podiatrist practices podiatric medicine, which is a branch of science devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and study of medical disorders of the foot, ankle, lower leg and lower back. In the U.S. and Canada, podiatry is practiced as a specialty.
Prosthodontist: A prosthodontist specializes in restoring the look, function, comfort, and health of a patient's oral cavity with artificial materials. These artificial materials are made up of a wide variety of restorations that include fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and oral implants.
Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who are affected by a temporary or chronic mental health problem.
Pulmonologist: A pulmonologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections.
Radiologist: A radiologist is a specialist in interpreting medical images that may be obtained with x-rays, (CT scans or radiographs), nuclear medicine (involving radioactive substances, magnetism (MRI), or ultrasound.
Rheumatologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Sports Medicine Physician: A sports medicine physician specializes in taking care of people who have sports injuries that may be acquired from playing sports, exercising, or from otherwise being physically active.
Surgeon: A surgeon performs surgery for the purpose of removing diseased tissue or organs, to repair body systems, or to replace diseased organs with transplants.
Telemedicine Physician: A telemedicine physician provides remote healthcare services to patients using telecommunications technology, facilitating virtual consultations, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations.
Urologist: A urologist specializes in the treatment of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Urologists can treat the kidneys, urinary bladder, urethra, uterus, and male reproductive organs. There are also specific specialty areas that urologists may choose to focus on, such as pediatric urology, male infertility, and urologic oncology.
Vascular Medicine Specialist: A vascular medicine specialist specializes in the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of conditions affecting the blood vessels. They may work with patients who have conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, or pulmonary embolism.
Vascular Surgeon: A vascular surgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the blood vessels, including aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins.
Veterinary Dentist: A veterinary dentist is a specialized veterinarian who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental diseases and conditions in animals. They perform dental procedures such as cleanings, extractions, and oral surgeries to improve the oral health and well-being of pets and other animals.
Virologist: A virologist is a scientist or medical doctor who studies viruses, develops treatments and vaccines, and works to prevent and control viral diseases.

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Doctor Allergist Anesthesiologist Cardiologist Cardiothoracic Surgeon Chiropractor Colorectal Surgeon Dentist Dermatologist Emergency Medicine Physician Endocrinologist Family Practitioner Forensic Pathologist Gastroenterologist Geriatrician Gynecologist Hematologist Hospitalist Immunologist Infectious Disease Specialist Internist Medical Examiner Naturopathic Physician Nephrologist Neurosurgeon Obstetrician Occupational Physician Oncologist Ophthalmologist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedist Orthodontist Osteopathic Physician Otolaryngologist Pathologist Pediatrician Periodontist Plastic Surgeon Podiatrist Prosthodontist Psychiatrist Pulmonologist Radiologist Rheumatologist Sports Medicine Physician Surgeon Urologist Vascular Medicine Specialist Vascular Surgeon Chiropractic Neurologist Veterinary Dentist Telemedicine Physician Virologist