Neurosurgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating concerns affecting the spinal cord, column, brain, and peripheral nerves. The specialists administer complex treatments, including minimally invasive surgeries. Your Complex spine & complex brain neurosurgeon Marina Del Rey employs advanced technology and integrative medicine to treat the intricate areas and improve the quality of your life. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a neurosurgeon for further diagnosis and treatment if you suffer from certain conditions. Among the top concerns that necessitate a visit to a neurosurgeon include:
Tumors
Brain tumors are synonymous with neurosurgeons. Nonetheless, the specialists also diagnose and address spinal and pituitary tumors which require urgent attention. For instance, untreated spinal tumors can result in paralysis, chronic pain, and other neurological concerns, while pituitary tumors can cause significant hormonal imbalances. A neurosurgeon can expertly remove the tumors to stop their growth and impact your overall health. Surgical tumor removal alleviates pressure on the surrounding sensitive areas.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid deep within the brain’s ventricles. The neurological disorder widens the ventricles, exerting excessive pressure on brain tissues. This causes concerns, including balance and gait problems, visual difficulties, cognitive dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, and temporal lobe herniation. If untreated, hydrocephalus is fatal. A neurosurgeon can drain the excess fluid and alleviate the pressure on the brain tissues, which usually resolves the symptoms.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain can be debilitating, especially when caused by neuropathy. Trigeminal neuralgia is among the painful concerns the neurosurgeon can treat. The condition is characterized by a sudden, painful sensation that feels like an electric shock on your face, usually one side. The condition is caused by an impacted trigeminal nerve that facilitates sensation from the face to your brain. Neurosurgeons can diagnose the root cause of neuropathy pain and offer treatments to alleviate or relieve the pain and other symptoms.
Injuries
Traumatic head and spine injuries can cause significant damage which may not be immediate or apparent. This requires expert diagnosis, which a neurosurgeon is best positioned to manage. With their in-depth head, spine, and spinal cord knowledge, neurosurgeons can catch those sneaky concerns and promptly treat complex problems. Prompt diagnosis and intervention can help mitigate the damage and avoid potential complications that can have a long-lasting impact or cause death.
Cardiovascular concerns
Stroke and carotid artery disease (CAD) are among the cardiovascular concerns neurosurgeons treat. A stroke’s impact worsens over time without proper intervention. CAD is caused by fatty deposits accumulation that clogs your blood vessels. This impacts blood flow to the head and brain, which needs immediate intervention to avoid severe problems like brain cell death. While cardiovascular health may not seem like neurosurgeons’ expertise, they can treat such concerns considering their impact on your brain and nervous system.
The complex nature of your head, spine, and spinal cord makes it harder for your primary care doctor to treat, necessitating a specialist’s care. A neurosurgeon can deliver complex treatments in such situations to avoid life-threatening complications and improve the quality of your life. Contact Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS, for more on neurosurgery.
