What is a neurologist?

A neurologist is a special type of physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system.  This includes diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.  Neurologists may serve as a consultant to other physicians as well as providing long-term care to patients with chronic neurological disorders.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy, sometimes called a seizure disorder, is a chronic medical condition produced by temporary changes in the electrical function of the brain, causing seizures, which affect awareness, movement or sensation.

Is it epilepsy?

The symptoms listed below are not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by some other unrelated condition.  However, if one or more is present, a medical check up is recommended.

• Periods of blackout or confused memory.
• Occasional "fainting spells" in which bladder or bowel control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
• Episodes of blank staring.  Brief periods when there is no response to questions or instructions.
• Sudden falls for no apparent reasons.
• Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
• A convulsion, with or without fever.
• Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an umbrella-like term to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time.  Symptoms of cerebral palsy lie along a spectrum of varying severity.  An individual with CP may have difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as writing or cutting with scissors; experience trouble with maintaining balance and walking; or be affected by involuntary movements, such as uncontrollable writhing motion of the hands or drooling.

What is developmental delay?

A developmental delay occurs when your child has the delayed achievement of one or more of his milestones.  This may affect your child's speech and language, his fine and gross motor skills and his personal and social skills.  Your primary care physician will screen for delays at your well child visits.

Do children get headaches?

Recurring headaches in children are relatively common.  About 10% of elementary school children suffer from recurring headache, and the figure doubles after puberty.  Migraines are the leading cause of recurrent headaches in children.  It is rare that a headache is caused by something serious, like a tumor, but if headaches are severe or increasing in frequency or associated with balance or visual problems, it needs to be checked out.  Recurrent migraines may significantly interface with school and after school activities.  There are many options available to treat this condition.

What is a neuromuscular disorder?

This is a general term used to identify any of a group of disorders affecting the motor unit.  This includes the motor nerve cell in the spinal cord, the nerve or the muscle.  The most commonly experienced symptoms are varying degrees of muscle weakness, muscle wasting and floppiness. 

  CSSD Division of Neurology