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Neurologist vs. neurosurgeon: A brain surgeon's perspective

Many people wonder and ask the questions like- what is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon? Read this to know the answer.

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The brain is one of the most complex systems of the human body. It is difficult to treat the diseases associated with the brain with just medicines and certain therapies. Many people wonder and ask the questions like- what is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon? There are neurological conditions that lead to learning and mental conditions that further affect the mobility of the brain and the nerves; these are certain issues that produce deliberating and long-term side effects. These conditions associated with the brain and the nerves are treated by doctors who specialize in the field of neurology or neurosurgery. If you or anyone you know is going through a dilemma as to which doctor to choose, you can consider talking to the neurologist who will later refer you to the Best neurosurgeon in Delhi and will help you with the right treatment.

Some Related Facts

  • The nervous system affecting the brain, spinal cord, blood vessels, muscles, and the nerves of the brain itself are the subjects of neurology. Doctors in the field of both neurology and neurosurgery treat these medical issues.
  • Today, medical conditions have advanced tremendously. There has been a new introduction of high-tech technology, computers, and ever-changing and ever-increasing research. It is therefore increasingly important for medical practitioners to work in the field of medicine together because the ultimate goal is to treat humans with solutions.
  • Neurology is the branch of science that deals with the brain and its different aspects or functions. The field helps patients to treat conditions like the nervous system, diagnose ailments of the brain, etc.
  • Most of the time, the terms neurology and neurosurgeon are interchanged especially in the field of medical science or when there is a hard need for any medical practitioner to treat a patient's disease. However, the two are different professions, with different studies, and different methods to approach medical treatments.

How can you differentiate neurologists from neurosurgeons?

There exists a very clear understanding between the professions, education, medical practices, and the methods of neurologists and neurosurgeons. A neurologist is an expert, who helps to diagnose, treat and perform the treatment of ailments related to the brain and the nervous system. They treat the illnesses related to:

On the other hand, Neurosurgeons are qualified personalities who help patients with chronic diseases and their impaired nervous systems such as Parkinson's disease, aneurysms, and congenital disabilities. Also, Read ADHD Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

When is the right time to go to a Neurosurgeon?

For those who are confused- what is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon? Let you understand that both professionals help to treat brain-related issues. People who visit neurosurgeons are especially those who are recommended by neurologists. Neurosurgeons are professionals who are slightly at a higher level than neurologists and help to perform surgery related to the brain. As the name suggests, neurosurgeons are the surgeons or those who perform surgery. They can help you with the following medical conditions:

  • Clipping 
  • Endovascular Repair 
  • Disk Removal 
  • Craniotomy 
  • Lumbar Puncture
  • Aneurysm Repair

Neurosurgery is an advanced and challenging area of medicine. It requires the collaboration of the team, and various field surgeons like orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, manual therapists, interventional radiologists, and neurologists.

Neurologist vs. Neurosurgeon: 

It is essential to understand the difference between neurologists and neurosurgeons. There are lots of differences although the term may sound similar functions and similar treatment ailments. Neurologists and neurosurgeons both are practitioners who help to diagnose the nervous system but neurologists do not particularly perform surgery. Neurologists are the doctors who help to treat and diagnose closely monitoring brain and spinal issues. This may include the physical cause of neurological illnesses. If the surgery is required, you will be referred to a neurosurgeon, who will help you with the improvement of the illness or the medical condition. You'll certainly meet the neurologist in the department of neurology.

  • The neurologist will help you with the initial screening, including MRI, CT scan, and different other diagnosing methods- all during the first visit.
  • A neurologist will help you decide where to go for the complete treatment and will also refer you to a neurosurgeon. A neurologist will refer you to a neurosurgeon in case your body is troubling you with complicated brain injuries or diseases like cancer.
  • While a neurosurgeon may help you with the conduction of the surgery, a neurologist may help you with the medications and diagnosis of the physical procedures.
  • Although there exist minute differences between the neurologist and neurosurgeons, the work of both practitioners is complicated. While helping to treat the medical conditions, a neurologist will help you or will refer you to a neurosurgeon, where you will be provided with long-term medical help.

Both a neurologist and a neurosurgeon can help you with the performance of complicated diagnosing tests like MRI, CT scan, and EEG. Only a neurosurgeon will help you with the surgery and the complete cure of the medical condition. A neurologist will help you with the drugs, and advice and will refer you to the neurosurgeon in your time of need. However, in case of surgery is required, they will refer you to a neurosurgeon. In conclusion, both medical practitioners help you treat nervous medical illnesses and are important parts of society.

The Bottom Line

Now, when you know what is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon? It is important that you also understand the basic difference between their medical practices. In simple words, both neurologists and neurosurgeons are the medical practitioners who help you with the treatment of the nervous system but neurologists, in particular, do not perform surgeries.  Neurologists work towards gorging out the specific disorder and helping to correct the nervous disorder with the help of drugs and other treatment methods. They treat your medical conditions if there is any physical change or any kind of physical injury to the nervous system.

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