Neurology Services
Strokes can be a devastating illness, both for patients and their families. It is the third leading cause of death in our country and the leading cause of disability in adults. A number of other diseases that affect the nervous system – multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, migraines, and shingles, for example – can be equally distressing. The incidence of these and other neurological disorders nationally and in upstate South Carolina have brought new urgency for specialized, comprehensive care and preventive techniques.
Self is committed to providing an integrated, multi-specialty approach to diseases that affect the nervous system. Patients with neurological disorders have complex problems and often require a variety of special services for their care.
Patients may require specialized diagnostic testing or individualized rehabilitation under the supervision of doctors with expertise in the treatment of neurological diseases.
Because we offer advanced neurological care right here at Self, patients throughout the region have convenient access to advanced facilities and skilled physicians without having to travel away from their family and friends.
Most patients with neurological disorders are first examined by one of our neurologists. A neurologist is a medical doctor who has specialized training in the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of a wide variety of diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Although some neurological disorders require surgery, most do not. Our neurologists serve as your advocate and are familiar with advanced surgical procedures. If surgery does become necessary, the neurologist will explain the procedure and any available alternatives.
Your neurologist will provide the continuing care of your condition long after surgery is over. Our neurologists work closely with neurosurgeons and other medical staff to determine what type of care is most appropriate for you.
Neurology services are available for the treatment of many diseases, including:
- Epilepsy/seizure disorders
- Movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia)
- Muscle/nerve disorders (carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve injuries from sports, Bell’s palsy, muscular dystrophy)
- Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease)
- Headache and migraine
- Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke, aneurysms)
- spinal cord and head injuries/concussion
- Pain disorders (shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, back pain)
- Sleep disorders (insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea)
Diagnostic tests
In order to diagnose neurological conditions, a neurologist may employ a variety of sophisticated diagnostic tests. These may include the following studies:
EMG/nerve conduction tests
Electrical tests of nerve and muscle function.
EEG/video EEG
Recordings of the brain’s electrical activity enable your neurologist to diagnose seizures and epileptic disorders. While inpatient video and EEG monitoring is sometimes necessary in difficult cases, outpatient ambulatory EEG monitoring is often a convenient option.
Carotid duplex, transcranial doppler (TCD)
Noninvasive ultrasound studies of the neck and intracranial vessels are used to detect blockages or blood clots, which may result in stroke.
SSEP, VEP, BAER studies
These electrical tests of spinal cord, optic nerve, and brainstem function are often used in the diagnosis of spinal cord disease and multiple sclerosis.
Autonomic nervous system testing
These neurological tests are used to identify diseases of the nerves which may cause fainting, sexual dysfunction or sweating abnormalities.
Diagnostic/therapeutic lumbar puncture
In this test, a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to remove spinal fluid for analysis (such as testing for meningitis) or for therapeutic purposes (pseudotumor cerebri, normal pressure hydrocephalus).
Tensilon testing
During this test, a short-acting drug is injected into a vein to diagnose a disease called myasthenia gravis.
Imaging tests
MRI, CT, myelography and arteriography tests are utilized to view areas of the nervous system and assist with locating areas of disease and defining the nature of that disease.
At Self, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive neurological care to our patients.
Our neurologists are familiar with leading-edge drug treatments and other interventions for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), headache and epilepsy.
The new Cyberonics® Vagus Nerve Stimulator, a pacemaker for the brain, is an implanted device that offers patients with severe epilepsy the possibility to be seizure-free.
We provide acute treatment of stroke with “clot-buster” medications that offer patients a better chance at complete recovery following stroke.
In addition, our doctors perform Botox® injections for the treatment of a variety of disorders. Botox is a toxin, derived from bacteria, that temporarily weakens muscles. It is highly effective in disorders that result in excessive muscle tone such as dystonia, spasms, cramps and spasticity that frequently follow stroke or brain/spinal cord injuries.
Please search our physician directory by clicking here or call (864) 725-6058 for the name of a physician in your area.