Sometimes a medical problem will need further investigation and your doctor may refer you to a neurosurgeon. But what exactly does a neurosurgeon do? A neurosurgeon is a surgeon who specializes in the nervous system, especially the brain and the spinal cord. Sometimes people do get confused between a neurologist and neurosurgeon. The basic difference is that a neurosurgeon specializes in surgery, whereas a neurologist never performs surgery. But both are experts for the nervous system.
Some symptoms prompt that you might need to visit the neurosurgeon are given below:
1) Migraine or sinus
Sometimes, headaches can become very painful. You might not know what the main reason behind this is. Some people ignore it thinking it might be sinus or migraine, which will go in some time. But sometimes these headaches can lead to more serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
If the headache lasts throughout the day and ends up giving you a seizure, then you should talk to your Family Doctor. If they think the issue requires further investigation, they may refer you to the nearest neurosurgeon near you.
2) Pain, which lasts longer than normal
There are times where pain may last for a long time. This could be back pain, or neck pain. If this is the case, your doctor may refer you to a neurosurgeon for further investigation. As an example, sometimes back pain could be due to a herniated disc which may need a specialist neurosurgeon to help with treatment.
3) A trouble with vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. People with these dizzy spells might feel like they are spinning or that the world around them is spinning.
These problems sometimes go away with time, but if you are facing such issues on a daily basis, then talk to your doctor. They again may refer you to a neurosurgeon if they feel like the condition needs further investigation.
These are just some basic examples of when your doctor may refer you to a neurosurgeon. Although it may seem scary or overwhelming, to visit a specialist doctor, remember you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re confused about something. Make sure you understand your diagnosis and treatment and any further steps you need to take. Take a friend or family member with you if you think you need more support.