Neurology Tunisia

A doctor who specializes in neurology is called a neurologist. The neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves, such as:

• Cerebrovascular diseases, such as strokes
• Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis
• Headache disorders
• Infections of the brain and peripheral nervous system
• Movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
• Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
• Epileptic disorders, such as epilepsy
• Spinal cord disorders
• Speech and language disorders
• Neurologists do not perform surgery. If one of their patients requires surgery, they refer them to a neurosurgeon.
   

People who have sensory problems, such as touch, vision or smell, may also need to see a neurologist. Sense problems are sometimes caused by disorders of the nervous system.

During your first appointment with a neurologist in Tunisia, he will probably perform a physical examination and a neurological examination. A neurological examination will test muscle strength, reflexes and coordination.
Since different disorders may have similar symptoms, your neurologist may need additional tests for an accurate diagnosis.

Neurologists may recommend a variety of procedures to help diagnose and treat a disease. These procedures may include:

Lumbar puncture

Your neurologist may use a lumbar puncture to test your cerebrospinal fluid. The specialist may recommend the procedure if he or she thinks the symptoms are causing a problem in your nervous system that can be detected in your cerebrospinal fluid.
The procedure involves inserting a needle into the spine after numbing it and taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

Tensilon Test

This procedure can help your neurologist diagnose myasthenia gravis. In this test, your doctor injects a medicine called Tensilon. He or she then observes the effect on the patient's muscle movements.

Electromyography (EMG)

An EMG measures the electrical activity between your brain or spinal cord and a peripheral nerve. This nerve is located in your arms and legs and is responsible for muscle control during periods of movement and rest.
EMGs can help your neurologist diagnose spinal cord disease as well as general muscle or nerve dysfunction.
During this test, your technician inserts small electrodes into your muscles to help measure activity during periods of movement and rest. Such activity is recorded by a machine connected to the electrodes with a series of wires.
Your neurologist may also ask you not to take blood thinning medication or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 24 hours before the electromyography.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

With electrodes applied to your scalp, an EEG measures the electrical activity in the brain. It is used to help diagnose brain conditions, including inflammation, tumors and injuries, as well as seizures and psychiatric disorders.

Unlike an EMG, an EEG generally causes no discomfort. Before the test, a technician places electrodes around the scalp that look like small cups. As small charges in the brain are measured by the electrodes, the technician creates changes in the environment to measure brain signals, such as different lights or noises.
Like an EMG, stimulants should be avoided the day before the test.

Before going to a neurologist in Tunisia, it is important to take with you recent prescriptions, any x-rays, scans or MRIs performed.

The consultation with a neurologist does not entail any particular risks for the patient.