If you have medical symptoms that affect the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system, you may need to see a neurologist. This specialist is a doctor who treats patients who have problems with their brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. These areas specifically involve the nerves connected to the arms, legs, blood vessels, sweat glands, and the cranial regions of the neck, nose, ears, eyes, and entire face. Patients who are experiencing symptoms related to their sleep habits and behavior and are suffering from nerve pain should make an appointment with one of these specialists.
There are several ways a neurologist can help with sleep problems. If a patient is having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or even staying awake during the day, he or she could be suffering from one of several sleep disorders. Some examples of problems include narcolepsy, cataplexy and extreme daytime sleepiness for no apparent reason. Restless leg syndrome is a problem that can disrupt both the patient’s sleep and that of others who share a bed with him or her. REM behavior disorder, sleepwalking, and insomnia are also troubling problems that can be treated medically.
Sometimes behavioral problems are neurological. Because these physical areas affect the brain, problems can affect speech, personality, judgment and memory. Additional problems that may occur include confusion, forgetfulness, personality changes, disorientation, poor judgment, and inability to solve problems. Some patients may hallucinate, have delusions, and behave aggressively toward others.
Difficulties associated with pain
There are several types of pain that can be treated by a neurologist, including headaches and other conditions that affect the nerves. Migraine headaches include those with auras as well as those without auras. Chronic daily headaches and cluster headaches are painful conditions that can be relieved, including those called ice pick pain.
Children, adolescents, and adults can suffer from any of the above conditions that affect the brain, spine, muscles, and nervous system. Sometimes it is a brain tumor, epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, dystonia, or glioma. Hydrocephalus and craniofacial disorders are also among the conditions treated by a neurologist. Some of the problems are congenital or inherited, while others have developed over a lifetime. Regardless of the type of problem, it is important to find a board-certified specialist to diagnose and treat the patient. If you or someone close to you is experiencing sleep problems, behavioral problems or pain in the head, skull or musculature, be sure to seek treatment. Early intervention reduces chronic symptoms and may cure the condition altogether, improving quality of life.