Neurology should not be confused with neurosurgery. Although both disciplines deal with diseases or functional disorders of the brain, nerves and muscles, there is a huge difference in the way they conduct treatment.
Neurology deals with disorders of the nervous system. It diagnoses and treats specific conditions such as: epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, seizures and headaches. In addition, there are simple problems that have led to serious neurological conditions such as: fine coordination difficulties, speech problems, writing difficulties and other conditions that affect the organization of the brain in relation to other parts of the body.
In addition, neurology also deals with sleep disorders, toxic and metabolic conditions and infections of the central nervous system. Neurology follows a certain procedure that varies depending on a patient’s condition, which can be either mild or at a more advanced stage.
Neurology requires a medical history and the patient must undergo a series of medical tests, including neurological exams. This type of testing usually inspects the patient’s mental status, strength and weaknesses, reflexes, sensation and coordination. Other methods are used in neurology to determine the cause of a disease, but they rarely lead to pathological steps. It may require other tests, including a CT scan or MRI, as an additional method to reach a conclusion. Neurology provides treatment through medication, therapy and coordination management.
Neurosurgery, on the other hand, treats the same – the nervous system. The difference with neurology is their approach to treatment. Neurosurgeons are the physicians involved in this particular field. Neurosurgery treats and improves disorders of the nervous system through minor and major surgical procedures. It is a field that uses advanced surgical procedures that cannot be performed in neurology. Different types of surgical techniques are used to treat head injuries, brain tumors, brain aneurysms, brain hemorrhages, peripheral neuropathies and herniated discs.
Neurology includes a variety of areas, to name a few: Pediatric neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, interventional neuroradiology, and neurovascular surgery. Let’s quickly define each classification. First, pediatric neurosurgery deals with disorders of the nervous system in children. Neuro-oncology treats the most life-threatening or cancerous disorders. In addition, interventional neuroradiology operates with minimal surgery for the head, neck and spine. Finally, neurovascular surgery is the management of stroke and brain disorders.
You have now obtained specific and necessary information to effortlessly distinguish the difference between neurology and neurosurgery – one requires surgical intervention. These two disciplines may differ in their method of treatment, but they can also work together to provide the best health service to a patient. Both neurology and neurosurgery contribute to the advancement of medical science, making a huge difference.
