Which Specialist to Consult: Neurology or Neurosurgery?

Ishita was referred to a neurosurgeon when she was diagnosed with a massive, but benign, brain tumour that required surgery. Post-surgery, she was doing fine until she started having seizures. She was referred to a neurologist, who conducted an MRI and EGG to assess her condition, prescribing medications accordingly. “What is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon?” she asked. One of her kin, who knew answered her query. A majority of brain and spine patients have this question: Neurologist vs Neurosurgeon, who is the right person to treat their condition?

ARTICLE: While common man only knows that he should see a ‘brain doctor’ for redressal of diseases of the brain and spine, he does not know what is a brain doctor called.

WHAT IS A BRAIN DOCTOR CALLED?

A brain doctor is called a neurologist, while a brain surgeon is called a neurosurgeon. ‘How many types of brain doctor are there?’ you ask. Simply speaking, there are two types of brain doctor – a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.

Before delving into the difference between neurologist and neurosurgeon, let us understand the difference between neurology and neurosurgery.

NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY: The difference between Neurology and Neurosurgery lies in their approaches to different neurological and spinal ailments. Neurology has a non-invasive or minimally invasive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of neurological issues, while neurosurgery is about handling them surgically through conventional surgical techniques or minimally invasive techniques as per the call of the situation.

NEUROLOGIST VS NEUROSURGEON

Neurologist vs Neurosurgeon sounds like a contest when it is actually teamwork dedicated to the welfare of patients suffering from brain and neurological ailments. Both neurosurgeons and neurologists are doctors specializing in neurology and are equipped with advanced training and diagnostic skills. They have a common goal: treating neurological disorders. It’s the approach that differentiates their roles.

The main and simple difference between neurologist and neurosurgeon is that a neurosurgeon performs surgeries on patients who need them, while a neurologist does not perform surgeries and treats a patient through the administration of medicines. A neurologist specializes in the field of making a medical diagnosis of a neurological ailment and deciding if it needs medicine or surgery. The length of the training required to be a neurologist or neurosurgeon is another difference between neurologist and neurosurgeon.

WHAT DOES A NEUROLOGIST DO?

A neurologist administers nonsurgical treatment to patients suffering from neurological problems such as stroke, seizures, autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental issues. Treatment of headaches, migraines, and neurological wounds also falls within the domain of a neurologist.

When you report to a neurologist with an ailment, the first thing he does is conduct medical tests to assess your condition. In the case of a headache, a neurologist may suggest a CT scan or MRI to find out the cause of the problem. The next step depends on the results of the medical exam. If it is a disease that can be cured through therapy or medication, he will proceed accordingly, but if it requires surgery, he will refer the patient to a neurosurgeon.

WHAT DOES A NEUROSURGEON DO?

A neurosurgeon offers surgical intervention to patients suffering from brain and spine diseases that need surgery. Treatment of ailments such as brain tumours, tumours of the spine, degenerative spinal issues, herniated disks, sciatica, and neurological issues needing surgery fall within the domain of a neurosurgeon. He sets things right for his patients by performing the requisite surgeries on them.

CONCLUSION: Is that headache still bothering you? Oh, so you are experiencing tinnitus too! Your friend has a back problem that could be related to a spinal ailment. How would you decide which doctor to show it to? Just visit the neurology department of the best hospital around you. The neurologist there would examine you, run some tests on you, and help you decide whether he can treat you by himself or if you need a neurosurgeon’s help. Get well soon!