Are a neurologist and a neurosurgeon the same?

A neurologist treats neurological conditions through diagnosis and medication, while a neurosurgeon is qualified to perform complex surgical procedures on the nervous system.

Should I see a neurologist in case of a stroke?

If it is a stroke, your physician may advise you to seek further consultation with one of the best neurologists in Dubai.

Do I need to prep before visiting a neurologist?

For your initial visits, you need not do any pre-consultation procedures before consulting with a neurologist.

Are neurodegenerative disorders curable?

Currently, there is no known cure for disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. However, consulting with the best neurologists in Dubai can help alleviate the symptoms significantly.

Is an EEG test painful?

No, an EEG test is a painless diagnostic procedure carried out by your neurologist to determine the electrical activity in your brain. Electrodes are connected to your scalp, and no invasive techniques are involved.

UAE’s Best Neurologists, Accessible on One Platform.

A neurologist is a medical practitioner who specializes in the treatment of the nervous system in the body. The neurological network of the body is a complex framework responsible for many functions. Neurologists are highly specialized medical practitioners who can provide expert treatment on chronic diseases such as migraine headaches, diagnosis, and subsequent treatment.

The nervous system consists of two major divisions:

Central Nervous System (CNS): which is the command center of your nervous system, with the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): is the auxiliary network of neurons that stem from the central nervous system.

Owing to the inherent complexity of the nervous system, it is often the case that neurologists and neurosurgeons operate as two separate units within the same discipline. However, there may be some degree of overlap between the two in some hyper-specialty hospitals, as is the case with the best neurologists in Dubai.

Consultation with a neurologist is usually recommended after initial rounds of consultation with your general physician and other relevant specialists, such as an in-house psychiatrist. Therefore, the typical modus operandi for a neurologist will differ based on parameters such as the initial assessment of the candidate, along with screening for other factors that could be causative of the underlying condition. For example, in case of migraine headaches, you will consult with a neurologist in tandem with your general physician to help the former better understand the medical history related to your migraines.

Your neural system is responsible for the regulation of multiple systems and physiological functions in the body. Mirroring this, the field of neurology also presents diverse specializations, including some that cater to specific niches of disorders, such as a migraine treatment. Some of the unique specializations that come under the ambit of neurology include:

Neurotology: It focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to vertigo and dizziness, including conditions like vestibular disorders, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
Epileptology: This subspecialty concentrates on epilepsy and seizure disorders, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and research in this area.
Stroke Neurology: Stroke neurologists specialize in the management of stroke patients, including acute care, prevention, and rehabilitation.
Movement Disorders: Movement disorder specialists deal with conditions like Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and dystonia, which affect a person's ability to control their movements.
Headache Medicine: This subspecialty deals with the diagnosis and management of various headache disorders, including migraines and tension-type headaches.
Neuromuscular Medicine: This area focuses on disorders of the muscles and nerves, including conditions like ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and muscular dystrophy.

Our dedicated myAster app makes it possible to access the best neurologists in Dubai from a unified user interface across all our Aster facilities. You can view a comprehensive list of the best neurology specialists in Dubai, filtered based on specific parameters such as video consultation availability, spoken languages, and other filters. Before consulting with a neurologist in Dubai, however, it is always prudent to ensure you conduct a brief self-assessment to help your neurologist better assess your underlying neurological disorder and its repercussions.

When should I consult with a neurologist in Dubai?

Since your nervous system governs how you perceive the world (and your own bodily state), it can be difficult to put your finger on what neurological anomaly symptoms look like. Depending on multiple factors such as the affected segment of the nervous system, nature of injury and extent of the damage, your symptoms may vary greatly.

The same is true of retroactive diagnosis in neurological disorders as well. For instance, though it may be clear that you are suffering from migraines, that does not immediately imply that that symptom is the sole causative factor out of all the migraine causes.

In that regard, it is advisable to take a broad perspective when assessing any symptoms of neurological issues in oneself. To expedite the process, here is a list of notable symptoms that can be a sure indicator of latent issues in the nervous system.

Headache: Frequent or severe headaches, including migraines, tension-type headaches, or cluster headaches.
Dizziness and Vertigo: Sensations of spinning or unsteadiness, often associated with vestibular disorders.
Seizures: Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to various types of seizures, such as focal seizures or generalized seizures.
Numbness or Tingling: Abnormal sensations, often described as numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" feeling in the limbs.
Weakness: Loss of muscle strength or difficulty in moving specific body parts, which can be partial or complete.
Tremors: Involuntary shaking or trembling of the hands, head, or other body parts, which can be essential tremors or associated with specific conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Memory Problems: Difficulty with memory, cognition, and thinking, which can be indicative of conditions like Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
Balance and Coordination Issues: Problems with balance, gait, and coordination, often related to conditions affecting the cerebellum or vestibular system.
Visual Disturbances: Changes in vision, including blurred vision, double vision, or visual field deficits, which can result from optic nerve or visual cortex problems.
Speech and Language Difficulties: Difficulty in speaking or understanding language, which can be associated with conditions like aphasia or dysarthria.
Difficulty Swallowing: Known as dysphagia, it can be a symptom of various neurological disorders, including stroke or neuromuscular diseases.
Changes in Sensation: Alterations in perception, such as hypersensitivity, numbness, or loss of sensation, often related to nerve damage.
Muscle Spasms or Cramps: Involuntary muscle contractions or sustained muscle spasms, which can occur in conditions like dystonia or muscle disorders.
Loss of Consciousness: Fainting or sudden loss of consciousness, which can result from conditions like syncope or seizures.
Changes in Mood and Behavior: Personality changes, mood swings, depression, anxiety, or other emotional and behavioral disturbances, which can be seen in various neurological conditions.
Sleep Disturbances: Sleep-related disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy, which can impact overall neurological health.

It is important to note that these symptoms can be associated with a wide range of neurological conditions, and a thorough evaluation by a neurologist is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The myAster application facilitates the process of selecting an ideal neurology specialist based on your convenience and preferences. For example, you can filter the specialists available for consultation based on their area of expertise, languages spoken, and a wide host of other key parameters. Choose myAster to revolutionize the way you schedule your medical appointments.

Common procedures and treatments

Diagnosing a neurological disorder accurately often requires a repertoire of tests and procedures to be conducted, with every stage of tests serving to pinpoint the specific nature of the issue. The tests prescribed will also depend on the condition. For instance, diagnosis of migraine causes can require multiple tests, including family history screening and CT scans to discern the root cause.

The best neurologists in Dubai can prescribe and conduct a wide range of tests as part of their expertise. Some of these include:

Imaging Studies:
- - MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Utilizes magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of your brain and spinal cord, aiding in the detection of tumors, strokes, and structural abnormalities.
- - CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of your brain, useful for identifying hemorrhages, tumors, or bone abnormalities.
- - PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): Measures metabolic activity in the brain, assisting in the diagnosis of conditions like Alzheimer's disease or epilepsy.
- - SPECT Scan (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography): Evaluates blood flow in the brain and can help diagnose conditions such as vascular disorders and certain neurological diseases.
Electroencephalography (EEG): Records electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp, aiding in the diagnosis of epilepsy, seizures, and other abnormal brain functions.
Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG): Assess the function of nerves and muscles to diagnose conditions like peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, or myasthenia gravis.
Cerebral Angiography: Involves injecting a contrast dye into blood vessels to visualize the arteries and veins in the brain, aiding in the diagnosis of aneurysms, vascular malformations, or blockages.
Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal to analyze for signs of infection, bleeding, or disorders like multiple sclerosis.
Evoked Potentials: Measures electrical activity in response to sensory stimuli (visual, auditory, or somatosensory), helping diagnose conditions like multiple sclerosis.
Neuropsychological Testing: Assesses cognitive function, memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities to diagnose and monitor conditions such as dementia or traumatic brain injury.
Sleep Studies (Polysomnography): Monitors brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, and breathing during sleep to diagnose sleep disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy.

These diagnostic procedures play a crucial role in identifying and understanding various neurological conditions. A neurologist's expertise in selecting and interpreting these tests is essential for accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment planning.

The myAster app grants you seamless access to the best neurologists in Dubai from a single online interface. Wherever you are, you can view the best neurology practitioners in the UAE with a few simple steps, and further filter them as per your convenience. Experience the future of medical appointment scheduling and service requests with myAster.