Planning the best treatment for a neurological condition depends on first making an accurate diagnosis.
When you first meet with your neurologist at Bishops Wood Hospital, they will take a medical history and will talk with you in detail about your symptoms. They will ask you questions like:
- What symptoms do you have?
- When did these symptoms begin / when did you first notice them?
- Have they been getting worse?
- How are your symptoms affecting or limiting you?
- Do you have a treatment plan in place already?
They will then carry out a neurological examination, which will involve systematic testing of your cranial and peripheral nerves together with a cognitive examination if appropriate
You may be referred for additional investigations, which commonly include:
- MRI of the spine and/or brain
- Neurophysiology test – electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction test (NCS) – tests for nerve damage in the peripheral nerves (these are the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord)
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) – measures the electrical activity in the brain. Useful for investigation of epilepsy
- Blood tests
We will arrange for these tests to be carried out at the earliest opportunity. While some can be done here on-site, others will be arranged for you outside the hospital.
Once any results are back, you will meet with your neurologist again to discuss the results and diagnosis and to explore treatment options. If you have any questions or concerns, you will be able to talk through them with your neurologist in a relaxed, unhurried environment.
Due to the many different ways a neurological condition can affect the body, your neurologist has a close working relationship with a number of specialists in other medical areas like neurosurgery spinal surgery, oncology and radiology. If it is found that you would benefit from referral to another specialist, we will arrange this for you to make sure that you are able to continue receiving the most appropriate treatment and support.
For example, some neurological problems will require surgery, in which case we can refer you to a neurosurgeon or a spinal surgeon. If any type of cancer is found in your brain or spinal cord, we can arrange quick referral to the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre for expert treatment.