David Schick – Marketer

Neuromuscular Diseases - Diagnosis and Treatment

Neuromuscular diseases are a group of neurological diseases of a progressive nature whose main characteristic and symptom is loss of strength. It is estimated that there are more than 150 types of neuromuscular diseases, mostly of genetic origin.

They are long-term, chronic diseases that cause the loss of the patient's autonomy and usually a great family and social burden. The most common symptoms of these diseases are weakness (eg loss of strength in muscles of the face, neck, arms or legs), altered sensation (eg tingling or numbness) and neuropathic pain or muscular (due to injury to the peripheral nerves or muscles, respectively). Other symptoms may be diplopia (double vision), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), muscle cramps or contractures, or due to autonomic dysfunction.

Neuromuscular diseases can appear at any age and can be genetic (caused by DNA alterations) or acquired (caused by immune-mediated, infectious, toxic, metabolic, neurodegenerative or due to compression or trauma).

Board-certified neurologist David Schick diagnoses and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and the involuntary nervous system that controls the heart, lungs and other organs. They treat headaches, stroke, dementia, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders and neuromuscular diseases.

Most Common Neuromuscular Diseases
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, myasthenia, and muscular dystrophies are the most prevalent neuromuscular diseases, explains David Schick. The first two, ALS and muscular dystrophy, are among the main causes of disability in the United States. More than half of those affected by a neuromuscular disease have a Grade III Dependence.

ALS is the third most common neurodegenerative disease, behind dementia and Parkinson's. They are disabling diseases with a high socio-health cost.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Since the symptoms described above can be due to different neurological diseases, an initial evaluation by a neurologist specialized in neuromuscular diseases is necessary through a thorough medical history and neurological examination.

Next, diagnostic tests such as laboratory tests, neurophysiological studies (nerve conduction studies and electromyography), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI of the central nervous system, nerve plexuses or muscles), muscle or nerve biopsy, or genetic studies may be necessary. .

Once the diagnosis is established, an individualized treatment plan is indicated, which may include pharmacological treatments and rehabilitative treatment in coordination with the Neuro-rehabilitation Unit, and the need for follow-up to evaluate the evolution and response to treatment.

New York Neurologist David Schick has special experience in the evaluation of complex or difficult-to-diagnose cases, including second opinions.

What are The Possible Further Specializations of the Neurologist?

Modern neurology includes various internal specialties. Today, therefore, the neurologist has the opportunity to acquire even more specific skills in a very specific sector of his subject.

Neurologist David Schick shares that among the possible further specializations of the neurologist, they deserve a mention:

Geriatric neurology. Schick explains that an ultra-specialized neurologist in geriatric neurology has specific training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of nervous system diseases typical of the elderly.

Pediatric neurology. According to Schick, a neurologist highly specialized in pediatric neurology is specifically trained in the diagnosis, treatment and management of neurological diseases typical of the young.

Oncological neurology (or neuro-oncology). David Schick indicates that an ultra-specialized neurologist in neuro-oncology has specific training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of tumors affecting the nervous system.

Nervous System: A Brief Review

According to neurologist David Schick, to fully understand the skills and activities of the neurologist, it is necessary to review in broad terms what the nervous system consists of.

Made up mainly of cells called neurons, the nervous system is divided into two major components: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Schick explains that the central nervous system groups the organs that act as a processing center for nerve signals, both for incoming and outgoing ones; these organs are the brain, which is composed of the cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon and brainstem, and the spinal cord.

As Schick indicates, the peripheral nervous system, on the other hand, includes all the nervous structures that are responsible for carrying nerve signals from the periphery to the central nervous system and vice versa; these nerve structures are the peripheral nerves, also called more simply nerves.

The nervous system is a complex of finely interconnected structures.

As David Schick further explains, the task of the nervous system is to regulate the functioning of the different organs of the human body; think for example of the sense organs: the brain and nerves are fundamental for the perception of sounds, sight, touch, taste and smell.

Tasks of a Neurologst

The neurologist is the doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of suffering concerning the nervous system.

Neurologist David Schick explains that the neurologist is in possession of numerous skills: he is highly trained in the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. He knows the diseases of the nervous system, the investigation methods to diagnose them and the most appropriate therapeutic approaches for their treatment / management.
David Schick indicates that if necessary, the neurologist collaborates with other professionals in the medical-health sector; for example, he might work as a pediatrician, geriatrician, physiotherapist, physiatrist, oncologist or neurosurgeon.

Definition of Neurologist

According to David Schick, the neurologist is the doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and injuries that can affect the entire nervous system, from the brain to the peripheral nerves.
In other words, the neurologist is the doctor who specializes in neurology.

What is Neurology?

David Schick explains that neurology is the branch of internal medicine that studies the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous system, and which is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and management of possible sufferers of the aforementioned systems.

Pathologies and disorders of the nervous system are also called neurological diseases.
To learn more about what neurological diseases are, we recommend reading the dedicated article: Neurological Diseases.