What Can I Do With A Degree In Neuroscience?

All organs of the human body are inextricably linked with the nervous system, since it ensures the functioning and is responsible for coordinating the work of the internal organs of a person. Deviation in the work of the nerves causes diseases of the neurological profile, in the treatment of which the neurologist specializes.

The nervous system consists of neuron cells, their long processes (axons), short processes (dendrites) and includes the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems.

The nervous system controls the following neurological functions of the body:

• Arterial pressure;
• The work of the heart;
• The work of organs and systems;
• Higher nervous activity (speech, writing, reading, counting, etc.);
• Sensitive and motor connection of organs and tissues in the human body;
• Pelvic function (urination and stool).

These functions explain the role of the nervous system in the human body and the need for constant monitoring of its condition, which implies supervision by a specialist in the field of neurological diseases. Assistance in the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases is provided by a specialist such as a neurologist.

Neurologists are doctors who diagnose, prevent and treat diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the musculoskeletal system. Patients of all ages are treated by these specialists.

In practice, neurologists are guided by modern techniques and methods for detecting pathologies and their elimination. For treatment, effective and safe drugs are used, as well as special tools. If necessary, patients are referred for surgery.

Who is a neurologist and what is his specialty

A neurologist is a doctor, a specialist who specifically helps people who have complaints related to damage to the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

The competence of a neurologist includes consultation and treatment of headaches, back pain, impaired consciousness, mobility, movements in the arms and legs, memory loss, attention, dizziness. A neurologist consults, examines and accompanies the patient throughout the entire process of treating a particular disease of the nervous system.

So, for example, back pain, which is the most common reason for visiting a neurologist, can be divided into four types: pain emanating from the intervertebral joints, discs, intervertebral roots, and paravertebral muscle spasm. Pain is a common symptom of osteochondrosis (destruction of the elements of the spine: intervertebral joints, discs, vertebral bodies, its processes and ligaments of the vertebrae); less commonly, coccygodynia (coccygeal pain) and sacroiliitis (pain in the sacroiliac joints).

What does a neurologist treat?

Pain in the back and neck.

They can occur against the background of injuries, as well as overloads, protrusions, osteochondrosis and other pathologies, against the background of compression of the spinal cord;

Pain in head and face.

Such pathological conditions are often primary. This means that they are not associated with the violations that provoked them and arise on their own. Examples of such pain include migraine and tension headache. They also distinguish discomfort that arose against the background of lesions of the skull and spine, infectious processes, as well as traumatic injuries. Pain can also be provoked by the withdrawal of drugs after their long-term use;

Vertigo.

These pathologies can occur as a result of impaired blood flow or lesions of the vestibular apparatus. Conditions are dangerous for the patient not only in themselves, but also because of a number of consequences. Dizziness can lead to loss of balance, falls and injury;

Weakness in the limbs.

It can be felt both in individual muscles, and immediately in both legs and arms. Muscle weakness can develop suddenly or gradually. It is often accompanied by other symptoms. This pathology is usually provoked by compression of the spinal roots or spinal cord;

Pathologies of the nervous system.

Neurologists ensure the normal operation of both the entire system as a whole and its individual elements;

Diseases of the internal organs.

Neurologists are also often involved in their diagnosis, prevention and treatment. This is due to the fact that such diseases often occur against the background of lesions of the nervous system.

Stroke.

Neurologists not only eliminate the consequences of impaired blood circulation in the brain, but also prevent this dangerous condition;

Epilepsy.

The treatment of this disease is carried out by neurologists-epileptologists. Epilepsy is characterized by seizures in the form of involuntary convulsions, during which the patient can harm himself;

Alzheimer's disease.

This neurodegenerative process is also called senile dementia. It usually occurs in patients over the age of 65 and is accompanied by a violation of motor functions, memory, coordination, speech, etc. Alzheimer's disease symptoms also include apathy, impaired perception of the surrounding world, loss of simple household skills. Today, neurologists do not have ways to eliminate the pathology, but they are able to slow down its development and maintain the highest possible standard of living for the patient;

Parkinson's disease.

Neurologists of a narrow specialization - parkinsologists - specialize in the treatment of this pathology. Doctors are also not able to rid the patient of the disease, but they can stop its development. The disease progresses slowly. It is a degenerative process in the brain structures that are responsible for muscle tone, posture control and various movements. Sleeping symptoms of Parkinson's disease include unstable position, muscle stiffness, limited range of motion, mental disorders, and autonomic disorders.

What does a neurologist look for during a consultation?

The initial appointment (consultation) with a neurologist consists of taking an anamnesis of the disease by a specialist neurologist and a neurological examination. In the process of taking an anamnesis, the neurologist asks the patient the following most frequently asked questions:

1. Are there any concerns about strength in the arms and legs, sensitivity?
2. Are there any movement disorders?
3. Were there periodic disturbances in urination and sensation in the arms, legs, body?
4. Is there a violation of memory, attention, speech, swallowing, taste, hearing, vision?
5. Do you have back pain? Do they get worse when you lean forward or backward?
6. Does pain depend on movement?
7. Does the pain radiate down the leg to the knee or to the foot and toes?

The direction of the questions depends on the nature of the neurological disease. So, if a herniated disc is suspected, the neurologist asks questions about the nature of the patient's work, about recent cases of heavy lifting, falls or injuries.

It is important to know if a diagnostic examination has been performed previously (in particular, using an MRI procedure). If the examination has already been carried out, the patient must bring with him all the available documents and conclusions.

The neurological examination includes an assessment of the level of the lesion. A specialist neurologist looks and checks for possible deviations from the side:

• Consciousness;
• sensitivity;
• Mimics;
• facial symmetry;
• swallowing;
• olfaction;
• taste;
• Hearing;
• vision;
• intellectual development;
• Coordination in arms, legs and torso;
• motor sphere;
• Urination and stool disorders;
• Gait.

After a neurological examination and an initial assessment of the state of the patient's body, specific tests are carried out at the appointment with a neurologist specialist, aimed at identifying the specifics of the disease that he will treat.

Screening of neurological status is a direct determination of the causes of existing disorders, carried out using various methods for diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, which are carried out in many diagnostic centers.

What to do with a degree in neuroscience

If you have a degree in neurology, you can easily get a job in any clinic that needs such a specialist. Perhaps you wanted to learn how to understand how people think, perceive, decide, and behave. You might be interested in learning about and finding cures for illnesses such as Alzheimer's or depression. With a degree in neuroscience, you can easily make a career as a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, or even a research scientist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there many neurologist jobs for specialists today?

Yes - a definite answer for a good specialist. If you are good at diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the musculoskeletal system, then the best clinics will be interested in you.