The specialty clinics in the neurology department at Aster Hospitals provide state-of-the-art technology for diagnosing and treating critical neurological conditions. A neurology specialty clinic is a specialized neurology unit providing a focused diagnostic and therapeutic approach towards a particular group of neurological conditions. The neurologists in the specialty clinics at Aster Hospitals have been consistently bringing successful treatment outcomes in critical neurological illnesses.
Neurology is the study of the structures, functions, diseases, and disorders of the nervous system in a human being. A neurologist evaluates and treats nervous system conditions, which are concerned with the brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels supplying oxygen to these structures.
The various neurology specialties clinics are:
- Neuro - Oncology
- Critical care neurology
- Cognitive and behavioural neurology
- Child and adolescent neurology
- Movement disorders
- Parkinson's disease
- Neuro-infectious disease
- Neuro-muscular disorders
- Sleep disorder clinic
- Spine disorders and ailments
- Trauma neurosurgery
The services provided at these clinics include highly specialized and advanced diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
Stroke
A stroke is a neurological emergency in which the blood supply to the brain tissues stops and the brain cells begin to die. A stroke can be due to bleeding in the brain tissue or blood clots. A stroke specialty clinic treats the person post emergency care and handholds the recovery process till required. The clinic is equipped with advanced treatment options for stroke, such as:
- Administering Recombinant tissue plasminogen tissue plasminogen activated.
- DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography)
- Mechanical thrombectomy
- Angioplasty
- Stenting of the narrowed arteries inside and outside the skull
- Gamma knife stereotactic surgery for vascular malformations
- Carotid artery by-pass procedure
- Advanced aneurysm therapy
- Minimally invasive endovascular therapy
Movement Disorders
Movement disorders are neurological disorders characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal, and unwanted movements. If there is damage to the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerve cells, it leads to movement disorders.
Advanced treatments for Parkinson's disease provided at the specialty clinic are:
- Non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery with gamma knife to administer radio dose in the target area inside the brain to improve motor control
- Laser-induced thermal therapy targeting brain tissue for ablation
- Deep brain stimulation, which is done by placing electrodes into the deeper brain structures under the guidance of imaging tools
- Gene supplementation therapy, which uses a viral vector to supply new healthy DNA to replace the Parkinson-causing gene.
Sleep Neurology
Sleep neurology clinic doctors are trained to diagnose and treat sleep disorders such as central sleep apnoea, circadian rhythm problems, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. The sleep clinic has the latest machines and treatment methods, including:
- CPAP machine
- Oral devices
- Sleep Surgeon
Critical Care Neurology
Critical care neurology is a specialty involved with critically ill patients who need urgent care and support. The specialty at Aster Hospitals is staffed with highly trained professionals for the prompt delivery of life-saving services. Examples of a few conditions are traumatic head injury, spinal cord injury, status epilepticus, coma, paralysis, etc. The clinic team handholds the person from the emergency to the specialty ward and rehabilitation team care. A few advanced treatments provided here include:
- Spinal cord surgeries for trauma and neuropathies
- Advanced brain surgeries for trauma, tumors, arteriovenous malformations, etc.
Other neurology specialty clinic services are:
- Advanced neurovascular surgeries
- Spinal surgeries such as spinal laminectomy and discectomy
- Brain tumor surgeries
- Transnasal endoscopy surgeries
- Craniovertebral surgeries
- Nucleoplasty
- Spinal disc replacement
- Interventional neuro radiology procedures.
Health Conditions Treated
- Stroke
- Head injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Movement disorders
- Brain tumors
- Sleep disorders.
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.
What are the early warning signs of a brain disorder?
Different neurological conditions show different symptoms. Common among these are headaches, changes in walking or talking, shakiness of fingers or hands, and memory problems.
Is a brain disorder a permanent condition?
Each brain disorder has a different cause and outcome. Some disorders can be cured completely, and a few need lifelong treatment.
Which specialty clinic should I go to for my hand tremors?
The neurology specialty clinic for movement disorders takes care of conditions involving tremors.
What does an attack of stroke look like?
There is a sag in the smile on one or both sides of the face, an inability to raise both arms evenly, and slurring speech.
Is it safe to undergo a neurosurgery procedure?
Neurosurgeries are safe and more successful with advanced technologies, such as minimally invasive and stereotactic surgeries.
Can sleep apnea be cured completely?
Advanced machines and surgeries have made it possible to cure sleep apnoea. Doctors advise treatment depending upon the cause of apnoea.
Which therapies are required after recovering from a stroke?
Your doctor shall suggest therapies according to your recovery. Some people may need long-term physical, speech, and cognitive therapy to restore their daily activities.
What should be done if anyone notices stroke symptoms?
You should immediately rush the person to emergency in the hospital.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
Aster Hospitals is regarded as the region's best neurology and spine hospital, offering a wide range of services for neurological ailments.
State-of-the-art technology and utilization of the most advanced tools for diagnosis and therapies make Aster Hospitals a leader in managing critical neurological illnesses. These tests include the following:
● CT Scan
CT, or computerized tomography, detects if the damaged brain tissue is a tumor, bleeding, or clot. The scan involves taking a series of X-rays to see detailed images of the brain. You 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.
● 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
Brain angiography is a minimally invasive procedure to see the blood flow in the brain arteries. The procedures for brain angiography include catheterization angiography, CT angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography.
● Doppler sonography
Doppler sonography or carotid ultrasound detects any plaque or block in the carotid arteries, which are the main arteries of the brain. The process uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the carotid arteries.
● Spinal tap or lumbar puncture
A spinal tap is done to examine the cerebrospinal fluid. Your doctor shall give you instructions about food and medicines before the test. During the procedure, you lie on a bed and turn to your left side with your knees pulled up to your chin. Your doctor shall clean and numb the spine area, insert a hollow, lengthy needle in your spine, and withdraw the fluid. Examination of the fluids aids in the diagnosis of infections and bleeding in the brain.
● Video-recorded EEG
EEG, or electroencephalogram, is done to assess the electrical activity in the brain to diagnose neurological illnesses such as epilepsy, tumors, sleep disorders, and encephalitis. The doctor attaches electrodes or patches to your skull and records the brain's electrical activity on a graph.
● Electromyography
Electromyography is the graphical representation of the health of a muscle. The graph shows the response of the muscles to electrical stimulation.
● Carotid ultrasound
It is an ultrasound of the arteries on either side of your neck. If there is a narrowing of the artery due to plaque formation, the blood flow to the brain gets restricted and this is detected in a carotid ultrasound.
● Discogram
A discogram is a special X-ray done to detect the cause of back pain. The X-ray is taken after injecting a dye in the centre of the disc in the vertebral column at the site of pain. X-rays show if there is an abnormality or growth in the disc or spaces around it.
● Tilt table test
The test is done to determine the cause of repeated fainting episodes.
● NCV
The NCV, or nerve conduction velocity, test measures the activity of electrical impulses through a peripheral nerve. Doctors recommend this test to diagnose and evaluate peripheral neuropathies and nerve compression syndromes.
Other therapies offered at the neurology specialty clinics are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Cognitive adaptive techniques
- Speech therapy
- Nutritional counseling
- Stress management
