The 8 types of Neurologists (and what neurological pathologies they treat).

A summary of the different types of neurologists according to their specialization in the professional field.

Neurology is the branch of medicine whose work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to a malfunction of the nervous system.

Therefore, neurologists, i.e. specialists in the field of neurology, are responsible for the study and intervention in diseases and disorders of the brain, the nervous system, both central and peripheral, and the Blood vessels that supply these parts. The affectations on these parts imply problems of diverse type, for this reason, within the field of neurology there are several specializations.

Types of neurologists (and what diseases they treat)

There are neurologists who specialize in everything that has to do with cerebral blood vessels. Others focus their work on treating problems associated with the developmental stage, whether in childhood or senescence. The truth is that there are several types of neurologists, which we will see in more detail below.which we are going to see more in depth below.

1. Clinical neurophysiologists

This type of professionals are in charge, fundamentally, of detecting the nervous disorders, due to that there is some type of problem that prevents that the nervous signals arrive to the brain and there they are interpreted.

The clinical neurophysiologists are in charge of evaluate patients' neurological functions and, based on this and, based on this, diagnose whether there are deficits in this area.

To do this, they use devices that devices are used to monitor the nerve impulses in the brain and. Some of the techniques they use are electroencephalograms (EEG), evoked potentials, electromyography and nerve conduction velocity tests.

2. Vascular neurologists

Some neurological problems are due to problems in the circulation of the brain, such as strokes and aneurysms.

Vascular neurologists are responsible for diagnose and treat neurological problems due to improper blood flow in the brain, such as strokes and aneurysms..

To do so, they use advanced neuroimaging techniques used in radiological laboratories, as well as tiny cameras that they introduce into blood vessels to be able to see the lesion in question with greater accuracy.

3. Pain management and palliative care

People suffering from some type of neurological problem may be suffering from chronic pain, which worsens with the passage of time, in addition to affecting both physical and mental capacities. Usually, pain due to an organic cause is usually cured by intervening directly on it, but in the case of neuropathic pain, where the pain is due to a malfunction of the nervous system, this is more complicated.

Some neurologists specialize in helping the patient to manage his pain, providing him with pharmacological treatments in order to reduce it..

In the case of terminally ill patients, there are neurologists whose task is focused on making the patient's last moments of life less painful.

4. Neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular neurologists

There are medical conditions in which there is long-term developmental impairment of the patient.. To give some examples, these would be Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, which are not curable.

This is why people with these types of problems require lifelong treatment. Neurologists can help patients to reach their full potential, contributing to a greater degree of independence and autonomy.

In the case of problems with neuromuscular involvement, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, where motor skills are progressively lost, there is no cure either.

Neurologists specializing in these disorders can help slow the progression of these diseases, making it take longer for the patient's standard of living to be severely reduced..

5. Pediatric neurologists

Although the nervous system in children is similar to that of adults, it is not yet well formed. In addition, children need to perfect some skills and for this they need the right stimuli.

Pediatric neurologists specialize in techniques that focus on helping the child's techniques focused on helping children's normal development to take place in the most satisfactory way possible, in addition to detecting those needs that are not yet met.and to detect those needs that may arise.

Usually, the work of pediatric neurologists overlaps with that of neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular neurologists, given that the disorders most commonly detected in children tend to affect their development and mobility.

6. Geriatric neurologists

This type of professional is responsible for diagnose, treat and care for the elderly who suffer from some type of neurological problem.. They also specialize in how the central nervous system ages and how age is a risk factor for developing neurological problems.

Some of the most common neurological conditions that occur in older people are dementias, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and gait disorders. They also specialize in knowing how to treat these problems pharmacologically.

As with pediatric neurologists, geriatric neurologists focus on aspects that overlap with other types of specialists in the field of neurology, such as behavioral neurologists.

Given the changes in the demographic pyramid, this branch of neurology has become increasingly in demand.The main group of neurologists in this field are those born between 1945 and 1965.

7. Autonomic neurologists

This type of neurologist focuses on symptoms that are due to problems in the autonomic system. Some diseases affect the autonomic system, such as Adie's syndrome, autonomic autoimmune neuropathy, hyperhidrosisSome diseases affect the autonomic system, such as Adie's syndrome, autonomic autoimmune neuropathy, hyperhidrosis, Shy-Drager syndrome, postural tachycardia and some types of diabetes.

Most of the autonomic symptoms present in these diseases are heart rhythm problems, involuntary breathing and swallowing movements, as well as changes in the diameter of blood vessels.

Neurologists specializing in these types of problems must have a thorough knowledge of how the knowledge of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, as well as the ways in which the autonomic nervous system functions.They must also know how to evaluate this type of problems and know which treatments are the most appropriate for each case.

8. Behavioral neurologists

As the name suggests, these neurologists focus on how to diagnose, treat and monitor patients who, by suffering some type of neurological injury, exhibit pathological behavioral patterns. patients who, having suffered some type of neurological injury, exhibit pathological behavioral patterns.. In addition, they deal with patients who have problems with memory, language, attention and emotions.

This type of neurologist must know how lesions in the brain and other parts of the nervous system negatively affect areas of the person, such as cognition, behavior, emotionality and basic neurological functions.

In most cases, treat disorders such as dyslexia, amnesia, dementia and mental disorders such as psychotic disorders.. Another well known area where these neurologists intervene is in cases where there has been an injury due to a traumatic brain injury.