How neurointerventional procedures from your neurologists in Winchester, VA, can help you

If you suffer from a nervous system, spine, or brain condition you can benefit from neurointerventional procedures provided by your neurologist. The neurologists at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA, provide comprehensive neurology services, including neurointerventional procedures.

These are some of the most frequently asked questions about neurointerventional procedures:

What Are Neurointerventional Procedures?

Neurointerventional procedures use catheters and radiology in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the central nervous system.

What Kind of Training Does a Physician Need To Perform Neurointerventional Procedures?

A doctor who specializes in neurointerventional medicine must become a specialist in neurology, neurosurgery, and radiology.

Are Neurointerventional Procedures Invasive?

No. Neurointerventional procedures are minimally invasive because they require a smaller incision than open, conventional surgical procedures.

What Medical Conditions Can Be Diagnosed or Treated With Neurointerventional Procedures?

Neurointerventional procedures can treat a wide variety of medical conditions, including:

• Brain aneurysm
• Dissolving a blood clot
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal tumors
• Nerve compression

What Are Some Different Neurointerventional Procedures?

Neurointerventional procedures cover several services, including:

• Thrombolytic therapy–to break up clots in blood vessels, the brain, or other parts of the body
• Endovascular coiling–to block blood flow to a brain aneurysm to keep the aneurysm from bursting
• Minimally invasive spine surgery–to treat disorders of the spine
• Cerebral angiography–to evaluate blood flow in the brain
• Carotid artery angioplasty–to open a narrowed carotid artery

Disorders and conditions affecting the spinal cord, nervous system, and brain can be complex. It’s comforting to know that you can rely on the services of an expert–your neurointerventional medicine specialist.

To find out more about neurointerventional procedures and how they can help you when you have a condition affecting your spine, brain, or nervous system, call the neurologists at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA. You can reach them in the office by calling (540) 667-1828, so call today.

Neuroimaging refers to a variety of medical techniques that can produce an image of the brain that your doctor can use to diagnose or treat many different types of brain conditions. Of these types of neuroimaging techniques, the most commonly used types are MRI, CT, and EEG tests, and depending on what your doctor is seeking to treat or diagnose you may be prescribed some or all of them or other similar types of neuroimaging. Learn more about what you can expect from neuroimaging tests by reaching out directly to your local experts at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

During an EEG test, you are either seated or told to lie down on a bed as electrodes are attached to your scalp. These electrodes are either individual discs that are attached to your scalp using a special paste or you are made to wear a cap that contains the electrodes.

Once recording has begun you'll be told to stay very still, but it is stopped periodically so you can relax and reposition.

The electrodes are used to measure your brainwaves, that is, the electric activity of your brain, which can be used to assess a number of brain disorders.

Computed Tomography (CT)

A CT scan is a computerized imaging procedure that uses x-rays to examine your brain, often used in the treatment of tumors, lesions, and injuries, among many other similar issues.

Contrast media is a substance that is introduced into your body to improve the results of CT scans, for brain scans you'll usually take the contrast media both orally and through an IV. If your doctor requires the use of contrast media then you'll be advised against eating prior to the treatment, you'll be given specific instructions about what to eat and when, or if you suffer from diabetes then the instructions will also vary.

You'll lie on a flat surface and be told not to move during the scan, you'll be in constant communication with your radiologist so you can notify them of any discomfort.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Because an MRI uses magnetic fields to construct a three-dimensional image of your brain you'll be advised against wearing anything metallic and asked about anything metal in your body due to a medical procedure.

What you can expect is very similar to a CT scan, although you may not require a media contrast for some machines, it depends both on the equipment and what your doctor is trying to diagnose.

Neuroimaging in Winchester, VA

If you are in need of neuroimaging in Winchester, VA, your local professionals at Winchester Neurological Consultants may be able to help, arrange a consultation by dialing (540) 667-1828.

Dealing with a concussion is a serious issue and it’s important you have the proper care that you need to recover from a concussion. Concussions haven’t always been effectively managed in the past, which has led to horrific outcomes and is why there’s now a specialized program designed to properly care for a concussion. Your doctors at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA, can explain what a concussion clinic is and why it’s important to follow after dealing with one or more concussions.

What is a Concussion Clinic?

A concussion affects multiple areas of your body, which is why those areas should all be rehabilitated and assessed. A concussion clinic in Winchester, VA, has a care team involving athletic trainers, physical therapists, and neuropsychologists. You’ll be guided by your doctor to get back to a better health and find any accommodations that you may need in life.

A concussion clinic also includes testing to see where your brain function is at after your concussion. Once this is done, your doctor will develop a plan to restore your normal level of brain function. This is an important part of the clinic and can help improve your cognitive function, which includes memory and your reaction time.

During a concussion clinic, your doctor will assess what your concussion has affected in order to provide you with the best treatment. You may need physical therapy or rehabilitation and your doctor can help guide you to the best specialists for any specific needs that you may have. This program is used by many professional sports teams, high schools, and colleges.

Contact Your Neurological Consultants Today

Don’t let a concussion go untreated. Contact your doctors at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA, to learn more about the concussion clinics and how they can benefit you. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment at (540) 667-1828.

Do I need to turn to a concussion specialist?

Suppose you or a loved one is dealing with a concussion. In that case, you may be looking for a specialist in Winchester, VA, that can provide you with the proper rehabilitation and care you need to improve the recovery process. Here at Winchester Neurological Consultants, our neurologists understand how challenging and complex concussions can be. Early interventions for those dealing with concussions can provide a faster and more effective recovery.

What Are the Signs of a Concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when a direct blow or injury to the head causes damage to brain cells. Warning signs of a concussion include,

• Loss of consciousness (this is not necessary to be diagnosed with a concussion)
• Blurry vision or vision changes
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Sudden headache
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Nausea and vomiting
• Trouble remembering
• Sudden sleepiness
• Difficulty focusing
• Learning or memory issues

Symptoms often appear immediately after a person has hit their head, but symptoms can continue to appear or worsen hours afterward. A bad fall, sports-related injury or accident can lead to a concussion.

When Should You Turn to a Concussion Clinic?

If you suspect that you or your child or teen may have a concussion, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with our Winchester, VA, team. Unfortunately, a concussion will not show up on imaging tests, so a regular doctor may not be able to diagnose a concussion, particularly a mild one. However, our team may conduct imaging tests to look for potential problems or damage to the brain, particularly after a severe injury or accident.

What Can a Concussion Clinic Do for Me?

A concussion can impact different parts of the brain, resulting in various symptoms. You must seek the proper concussion care from a qualified specialist such as our neurological team. Since 2006, the Winchester Neurological Consultants team of neurologists has been at the forefront of providing concussion care, particularly to athletes.

Our team will examine your medical history during your assessment and evaluate everything from your memory to visual tracking and processing speed through various physical and cognitive tests. We understand that everyone will require different treatment options based on the post-concussive symptoms they are experiencing. Concussion treatments may include,

• Visual rehabilitation to improve memory, concentration and visual problems
• Manual or manipulation therapy to improve balance, headaches and visual problems
• Special exercises and rehabilitation to improve blood flow and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes
• Lifestyle modifications and changes to diet and lifestyle to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation

Individuals dealing with concussions must have access to a multi-modal treatment approach that targets the medical, physical and psychological components. This also means having a team of doctors, including osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors and sports medicine specialists, who can provide you with comprehensive care and our neurological team.

If you suspect that you might be dealing with a concussion, our Winchester, VA, neurologists can help lead you on the track to recovery. To schedule an appointment, call Winchester Neurological Consultants at (540) 667-1828.

When your doctor suspects that you may be struggling with memory or cognitive issues one of the strategies that they can turn to is neurocognitive testing. Neurocognitive testing can help your doctor narrow down the type of underlying concern so the right treatment can be applied. You can learn a lot more about neurocognitive testing by reaching your to your local Winchester, VA, experts of Winchester Neurological Consultants.

Benefits of Neurocognitive Testing

Neurocognitive testing is a non-invasive way that your doctor can employ to get answers regarding your brain function. The technology used is a computer-based cognitive assessment tool that can assist in measuring how your brain reacts to varied tasks.

Besides its non-invasive nature, another great benefit of neurocognitive testing is that it can provide answers early for early treatment, something very important when it comes to treating cognitive disorders.

The testing can give information about cognitive changes due to mood disorders, aging, Alzheimer's, and other similar conditions.

It may also allow early detection of concussions and dementia, which produce very subtle changes and can be difficult to analyze by other means and are often easily missed.

Neurocognitive Testing in Winchester, VA

The test often takes only about 60 minutes without it being overly complex. You are presented with a series of small tasks on a computer screen and are asked to perform them to the best of your ability, how you respond helps assess a variety of aspects of brain function.

What neurocognitive testing primarily assesses is attention, perception, memory, language, motor skills, and information processing, among others.

The scores are an objective way to test a patient's general and specific brain function against what's typical in the population and against previous assessments These results can allow your doctor to prepare a personalized treatment or can signal the need for further testing through other methods.

If you believe you can benefit from neurocognitive testing you can schedule a consultation in Winchester, VA, with your local professionals of Winchester Neurological Consultants by dialing (540) 667-1828.