Our brain ensures that all the organs are functioning properly. It sends signals to and forth the body using nerves and works accordingly. But due to some disorders, diseases, viruses, bacteria or accidents, the normal functioning of the brain gets interrupted or damaged as a result of which people may face serious issues. To combat and prevent these problems, neurological tests are required. The best neurosurgeon in Ludhiana will examine your brain and let you know suitable treatment options.
What is a Neurological Test?
Brain and nervous system activities are examined using neurological tests or exams. These tests help in identifying any abnormal signs or patterns that may affect nerves, brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Different diseases or reasons may require different types of neurological tests. With the help of these tests, neurologists in Ludhiana can provide you the right treatment and medications. As our brain and nervous system are both complex, neurological tests take a significant amount of time.
Neurological Tests Helps Examine:
In some tests, multiple steps of physical examinations are conducted and assessed to check the functioning of the nervous system. In this, strength, muscle tone, coordination, speech, cognition or mental status, and many other factors are evaluated. Other factors include evaluation of:
- Function of spinal cord.
- Mental status and cognitive abilities.
- Reflexes.
- Body’s response to vibration and touch.
- Mobility.
- Functions of Cranial nerve which are nerves of your face and head.
- Consciousness.
When Do You Need a Neurological Exam?
A neurologist in Ludhiana may ask you to take neurological exam in case of neurologic dysfunction, it includes:
- Memory loss.
- Coma or altered state of consciousness.
- Impaired vision and hearing.
- Sense of smell is lost.
- Confusion and dizziness.
- Dysarthria (difficulty with speech).
- Headaches.
- Seizures.
- Weakness in muscles.
- Numbness in arms and legs.
Different Types of Neurological Tests
Depending on your specific condition, a neurologist in Ludhiana can recommend various neurological tests. Some of the neurological test include:
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- MRI Scans – MRI is an imaging technique used to identify and diagnose conditions that affect soft tissues of the brain and spinal cord. MRI scans in comparison to CT scans are more time consuming but use a highly powerful magnetic field instead of radiation to perform scans.
You cannot take this test if you have implanted devices or pacemakers. Since MRI takes sometimes an hour and is done in a confined area, it can be difficult for patients that are claustrophobic and are sedated before scans. Also, due to the powerful magnetic field, patients with implanted devices such as pacemakers cannot take this test.
- MRI Scans – MRI is an imaging technique used to identify and diagnose conditions that affect soft tissues of the brain and spinal cord. MRI scans in comparison to CT scans are more time consuming but use a highly powerful magnetic field instead of radiation to perform scans.
- CT Scans – CT scans help identify bleeding and lesions in the brain, lesions in spinal cord or bone destruction in spinal column. Before CT scan, multiple X-rays are taken. Time taken for CT scan varies as it can take 5 minutes for simple brain scan and half an hour for other body parts. People are sometimes scared to get scans, but with the best neurosurgeon in Ludhiana you have nothing to worry about.
- Nerve Conduction Velocity – This test is used to assess peripheral nerves which help connect the spinal cord with the muscles. In this, electric shocks are applied on the electrodes that place muscles it stimulates and nerve that needs to be assessed. It is used to determine whether pain, numbness or weakness in muscle is caused due to peripheral nerve disease.
- Cerebral Angiogram – Sometimes our blood vessels are affected due to some diseases such as vasculitis, arteriovenous malformation and aneurysms. Cerebral angiogram is used to test the affected blood vessels. The procedure is painless and to conduct this test, an X-ray is taken after injecting dye in blood vessels.
Neurological tests help in examining the causes of various neurological diseases and dysfunction. Nowadays, as the technology has immensely advanced, it has opened doors to treat difficult and complex diseases involving the brain and the spinal cord. A good neurologist in Ludhiana can help you with identifying the cause of the problem thereby giving the best treatment for speedy recovery.
