Dr. Curtis Cripe Talks About Neurologists

What Does a Neurologist Do? Dr. Curtis Cripe Explains

According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, the work of neurologists, is quite fascinating. It involves understanding and treating people with diseases that affect the central nervous system. Neurologists assess a patient's symptoms, then determine certain conditions, such as epilepsy.

Patients may be referred to a neurologist by their physicians or other specialists. The referral letter from a referring physician will give details of the problem and potential causes.

Neurologists also see children referred by their pediatricians. This happens when children have not reached their developmental milestones, including walking or talking at an appropriate age, and children experiencing learning disorders and other problems with cognitive functioning.

Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that a neurologist's work is mainly carried out in hospitals. However, some operate with outpatient clinic appointments, referred to as day-case surgery, because the patient does not stay overnight. Most neurosurgical operations occur in either surgical or intensive care settings.

Neurologists also aid in developing new treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and movement disorders. These cases require advanced research in genetics and stem cell research. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, neurosurgeons working in neurology may also perform deep brain stimulation to alleviate symptoms of specific issues. These issues include Parkinson's disease, essential tremors, and dystonia. They also help in surgeries for epilepsy, such as disconnecting the corpus callosum.

Neurologists possess excellent clinical skills in diagnosing disease. They do this through examination, patient history, and investigations. They look at blood tests, X-rays, MRI scans, and lumbar punctures. Dr. Curtis Cripe explains that it is not always easy to determine symptoms. The cause of the problem is not always clear.

Moreover, Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that neurologists must evaluate the patient's quality of life and focus on improving it by controlling symptoms rather than curing them, which may require input from several other medical professionals.

What do you think of neurologists? Do you know one? Would you want to become a neurologist yourself? Share your insights with Dr. Curtis Cripe in the comments below.

Dr. Curtis Cripe Ph.D., is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. For more on Dr. Cripe and his work, go to this website.