The neurologists at Aster Hospitals offer comprehensive treatment and care for critical neurological conditions. Critical care neurology is a subspecialty of neurology involving the care of people with critical neurological emergency conditions and diseases. The neurologists and neuro-intensivists at Aster Hospitals, Bangalore provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities, and rehabilitation programs, thereby ensuring the best recovery from critical neurological episodes.
The symptoms requiring urgent and immediate admission to the critical care neurology unit are:
- A diminished level of consciousness
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Accidents causing head injury or spinal cord injury
- Face drooping/weakness of arm, legs
- Severe headache
- Balance problem / vertigo
- Paralysis
- Slurring of speech
- Sudden vision problems
- Breathing obstruction
The most common emergency neurological conditions leading to life-threatening and disability consequences are:
Stroke
A stroke is a neurological emergency in which the blood supply to the brain tissue stops and brain cells begin to die. Our brain needs oxygen and nutrition brought to it through blood flow. A stroke can be due to bleeding in the brain tissue or blood clots. Stopping blood supply to the brain even for a few minutes causes brain cells to die. Treatment of stroke requires emergency interventions to restore blood supply to the brain immediately. Lack of immediate treatment may lead to paralysis or even death.
Brain haemorrhage
Brain or intracranial haemorrhage is the most common cause of stroke and needs fast action for treatment. It is an emergency condition for which early intervention can prevent lifelong disability. Bleeding may happen with head injury or rupture of the brain arteries. Brain haemorrhage may cause paralysis, loss of vision, loss of speech, lasting physical and mental disability, or even death.
Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy is the name given to a condition in which there is weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, which may happen suddenly and worsen over 48 hours. The doctor puts you through tests and prescribes medicines and exercises. Usually, Bell's palsy gets cured in a few weeks to 6 months. But it is essential to rule out stroke during an attack of Bell's palsy.
Head injury
When there is an impact on the head during an accident, the brain inside the skull bone gets jolted and injured. There may be injuries in the skull cap and membranes covering the brain. These injuries result in bleeding and swelling in the brain.
Head injuries may cause loss of consciousness and continuous unbearable headaches. Sometimes, you may notice blood or fluid coming from the ears and nose. A person may go into a coma, a state of unconsciousness. The result may be a physical and mental disability if critical care treatment is not provided.
Neurointensivists examine and conduct tests to know the impact and severity of the injuries. Treatment may include emergency medical or surgical treatment, or both.
Acute spinal cord injury
Acute spinal cord injury is an emergency requiring immediate treatment in the critical care neurological unit. The injury is usually accidental and may lead to permanent disability or death. It may result in loss of function in the legs, arms, or lower body and loss of bowel and urinary bladder function.
The neuro intensivists at Aster Hospitals have been well-trained and use a step-wise approach to establish an early diagnosis in persons with acute neurologic conditions:
- Detailed neurologic examination and its interpretation
- Blood tests
- Neuroimaging
- Linking blood tests and neuroimaging findings to clinical examination
- Assessment of the severity of the damage to brain tissue
- Determination of cause
- Providing presumptive or definitive treatment
- Evaluation of improvement
- Based on the improvement, admission to the neurology unit and provision of further treatment
Aster Hospitals is known for its high-quality and cost-effective care for all critical neurological conditions.
Health Conditions Treated
- Stroke
- Brain haemorrhage
- Head injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Epilepsy
- Coma
- Meningitis, encephalitis
- Paralysis
- Bell's Palsy.
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
Can I expect recovery after a brain haemorrhage?
You should go to the neurological critical care unit if you suspect a brain haemorrhage. In case of accidental injury, immediate attention by paramedics and emergency treatment by doctors increase the chances of survival and reversal of damage to the brain.
Will I have any problems after a spinal tap?
Some people develop headaches after a spinal tap, which usually goes away in a few days.
What are the instructions about managing the treatment of head injury for post-discharge at home?
Your neurologist shall give instructions according to your diagnosis, recovery, and rehabilitation needs.
Is meningitis a brain disease?
Yes, meningitis is swelling of the brain membranes due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. It causes fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, and seizures. Doctors treat meningitis with medicines and rest.
What are the measures one can take to reduce the risk of stroke?
One can include healthy food and exercise habits, such as regular walks and managing weight and cholesterol in day-to-day living. Take your medicines regularly if you have high blood pressure and sugar. Have regular health check-ups and stop smoking.
What damages to the body may happen after a stroke?
A stroke can be due to a block in a small or big blood vessel in the brain. A small vessel involvement may cause weakness in the arm or leg. A big stroke can cause paralysis, loss of vision, inability to speak, or death.
What is stroke rehabilitation?
Stroke rehabilitation helps you regain physical, mental, and social health after recovery from a stroke episode. It helps to improve the quality of life.
How do I cope with a spinal cord injury?
The healthcare team at the hospital educates the family about post-discharge care at home. Doctors facilitate a rehabilitation program where you get guidance and support for psychotherapy and physical therapy.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
Aster Hospitals holds the highest reputation in the country for using advanced therapeutic interventions and monitoring modalities in treating critically ill neurological patients. Highly trained neurointensivists assess the brain's real-time dysfunction and the potential for deterioration or improvement.
Critically ill neurologic patients get multi-speciality care at Aster Hospitals in intensive care neurology units. The diagnostic tools are modern, and the facilities are ambient and supportive.
Diagnostic
The diagnostic tests conducted for critical neurological conditions include the following:
CT scan of the brain
CT, or computerized tomography, is a scan that allows taking a series of X-rays to see the detailed images of the brain. You are to lie on a table that slides inside a circular machine. The machine has cameras that capture the scans, and a computer linked to the machine creates images of these scans. A CT scan helps doctors find the site and extent of damage to the brain, bleeding, or blood clots.
MRI
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, can detect the slightest changes in the brain tissue. MRI machines use radio frequencies and magnets to capture the tissue details developed as images by the computer.
Brain angiography
Angiography studies the brain's blood vessels and blood flow in the arteries. The following methods can do it:
Catheterization angiography
It is a minimally invasive technique to study the brain's blood vessels. Your doctor inserts a catheter through your brain arteries, injects a dye to see the arteries, and takes images.
CT angiography
It is a CT scan of the blood vessels that shows the blood flow through the brain tissue. It can detect the clots and bleeding in the brain.
Magnetic resonance angiography
With the help of magnetic resonance, doctors can see the brain tissue and blood flow through it.
Doppler sonography
Doppler's sonography or carotid ultrasound detects any plaque or block in the main arteries of the brain called carotid arteries. The process uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the arteries.
Spinal tap or lumbar puncture
A spinal tap is performed to examine the cerebrospinal fluid. Your doctor will advise you as per the requirements of the test.
During the procedure, you need to lie on a bed or table and turn on your left side with your knees pulled up to your chin. The doctor will clean and numb the spine area from where the tap will be done. Then, your doctor inserts a hollow, lengthy needle in your spine and withdraws the fluid. The tap point is closed with a bandage.
Examination of the fluids aids in the diagnosis of infections and bleeding in the brain. Your doctor may use a spinal tap to give anaesthesia.
EEG
EEG or electroencephalogram, is carried out to track the electrical activity in the brain. This helps to diagnose neurological illnesses like epilepsy, tumours, sleep disorders, and encephalitis. The doctor attaches electrodes or patches to your skull and records the brain's electrical activity on a graph. The graph shows what type of neurological condition is affecting brain impulses.
At Aster Hospitals, critical care neurology facilities for monitoring the patient are available round the clock. The monitoring facilities include:
- 24-hour CT scanner with facilities for CT angiography and cerebral perfusion studies
- Digital EEG monitoring / continuous EEG monitoring
- Transcranial Doppler ultrasound
At Aster Hospitals, the neurosurgeons and neuro intensivists in critical care neurology use modern modalities to provide early and specific treatment, ensuring improved outcomes.
Aster Hospitals also strives for complete recovery from neurological episodes through state-of-the-art medical facilities, follow-up care, and a rehabilitation program.
