Neurological irregularities can impact your life subtly and can be easily shrugged off as tiredness or stress. Like most health concerns, seeking treatment early can help you understand and manage your condition better. Particularly, neurological conditions are complex and often require specialised care, sometimes even surgical intervention.
Read on to find out the warning signs you need to pay attention to and how a neurosurgeon can help. Knowing when to seek help from a neurosurgeon in Singapore can make a significant difference in improving your quality of life.
5 Signs That Itโs Time to Find a Neurosurgeon
When is a headache or back pain something to be worried about? Here are some signs to look out for:
Chronic Headaches : Experiencing occasional headaches is common. However, if these headaches occur frequently or interferes and affects the quality of life, followed by accompanying symptoms such as vomiting or weakness, perhaps it is time to seek medical help.
Seizures : A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. If you or your loved ones experienced your first onset seizure, especially above the age of 18 years old, it is advisable to have a neurosurgeon examine your condition.
Unusual Pain or Numbness : Have you ever felt that tingling sensation or a loss of feeling in an area of your body? This is known as numbness, which also indicates nerve damage. Although most cases of numbness are not severe, if you or your loved ones are experiencing continuous numbness, a sudden onset or a lingering sensation accompanied by headaches, it is advisable to seek a neurosurgeon for further investigation.
Persistent Back or Neck Pain :Chronic back or neck pain that doesnโt improve with rest, medication, physical therapy, or other conservative treatments may indicate underlying issues that require further evaluation by a neurosurgeon.
Traumatic Brain or Spinal Cord Injury: If youโve experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) due to an accident, fall, or other trauma, seeking immediate evaluation by a neurosurgeon is essential to assess the extent of the injury and determine the appropriate treatment plan. Consulting a neurosurgeon does not always lead to a major surgery. They will diagnose your symptoms, understand your condition and propose a suitable treatment plan. Neurosurgeons will only proceed with surgery if other conservative approaches are not fruitful in managing a patientโs condition.
Why You Shouldnโt Ignore Neurological Warning Signs
Discounting neurological symptoms can have serious consequences on your health and well-being. Neurological symptoms may indicate underlying issues affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves (such as when nerves get compressed leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome), they should never be dismissed lightly.
Furthermore, early detection allows early intervention, whereby proper treatment can be administered to slow down the progression or manage the condition or disease. Besides, early intervention, here are several other reasons why ignoring neurological symptoms is not advisable:
Risk of Complications: Disregarding neurological symptoms may lead to further complications that can significantly impact your quality of life.
Missed Diagnosis: Neurological symptoms can sometimes be subtle or mimic other conditions, making them challenging to diagnose without proper evaluation. Ignoring symptoms may result in a missed or delayed diagnosis, preventing you from receiving timely treatment and potentially allowing the condition to worsen.
Psychological Impact : Living with unexplained neurological symptoms can be stressful and anxiety-provoking. Undergoing an evaluation to better understand your condition can help ease your worries.
Staying alert and informed about your health and well-being allows you to seek the appropriate treatment to better manage the condition or disease while decreasing the risk of further complications and for ease of mind.
However, with various titles like neurologists, neurosurgeons, and spine orthopaedic surgeons, how do you choose the right one? What are the differences between these specialisations? Weโll help you break down the differences below.
What Does a Neurosurgeon Do?
Neurosurgeons in Singapore are highly specialised medical professionals who diagnose and treat conditions affecting the nervous system such as the brain and spine. Their expertise lies in both surgical and non-surgical management of a wide range of neurological disorders that include:
Diagnosis of Neurological Conditions :Neurosurgeons begin by carefully evaluating patients with neurological symptoms, which may include headaches, seizures, weakness, numbness, tingling, balance problems, or changes in cognition. They use advanced imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scans and angiography to diagnose conditions accurately.
Treatment Planning :Once a diagnosis is made, neurosurgeons develop individualised treatment plans tailored to each patientโs specific condition and needs. This may involve a combination of surgical and non-surgical interventions, depending on the nature and severity of the neurological disorder.
Surgical Interventions : Neurosurgeons are trained to perform complex surgical procedures on the brain, spine, and nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome) to treat a variety of conditions. These may include brain tumours, spinal cord tumours, vascular malformations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, herniated discs (from degenerative spinal conditions) and congenital abnormalities.
Management of Chronic Conditions : Neurosurgeons also play a crucial role in managing chronic neurological conditions such as epilepsy, hemifacial spasms, trigeminal neuralgia, and hydrocephalus. They may recommend surgical interventions to improve symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams: Neurosurgeons often work closely with other healthcare professionals, including neurologists, neuropsychologists, rehabilitation specialists, oncologists and more, to provide comprehensive care for patients with neurological disorders. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive the best possible treatment outcomes.
What Happens During a Neurosurgeon Consultation?
Once youโve made an appointment, here is a general sense of what you can expect from a consultation with a neurosurgeon in Singapore. You can prepare for the consultation by making a record of your symptoms and recalling any relevant family history. Based on the symptoms, the neurosurgeon will conduct a physical evaluation focused on assessing neurological functions. This may involve testing your reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, sensation, and other neurological signs.
If youโve undergone any diagnostic tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, or X-rays before your consultation, rest assured, the neurosurgeon will review these images with you and discuss their findings. Theyโll explain the significance of any abnormalities and how they relate to your symptoms.
After the evaluation, the neurosurgeon will discuss with you the appropriate treatment or management options for your condition or disease. This may include both surgical and non-surgical approaches, as well as the risks and benefits associated with each option.
Final Thoughts
When considering neurosurgical care, itโs crucial to entrust your health to a skilled and compassionate expert. At Precision Neurosurgery, our clinic is committed to a patient-centric experience, ensuring you receive the unparalleled neurosurgical care that you deserve.
If you or your loved ones are experiencing any neurological conditions, or disorders or wish to make sense of your symptoms, book a consultation with us.