Neurology

Neurology is a subspecialty of medicine which deals with Brain, Nerve, Muscle and Spine disorders. The OPD services deal with variety of Neurological disorders like Headache, sleep disorders, epilepsy, nerve, muscle and spine disorders like cervical spondylosis and other pain syndromes. Apart from this, complex disease like Stroke, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Tremors and related disorders are evaluated.

About the Department :
The department has excellent Neuroradiological, Neurosurgical, Intensive care and Pathology backup. Patients with Acute Stroke are thrombolysed whenever required. Botox therapy (EMG Guided) is given to patients suffering from spastic disorders, dystonia, Blepharospasm, Hemifacial spasm etc and procedures like Neostigmine test is done for Myasthenia gravis.

How to improve memory

Memory is a complex system involving multiple structures and regions of brain, main structure involved in memory processing is limbic system (temporal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus) Brain neurons possesses property of dynamic neuroplasticity, though memory structures are in very specialised anatomical locations, with practice we can expands their spatial area in brain which helps in improvement of memory function.

So how to improve memory?

• Develop a hobby ,Hobbies help you develop a robust brain because you're trying something New and complex. Hobbies like gardening, painting will improve visuospatial functions and memory
• Practice writing with your nondominant hand several minutes every day. This will exercise the, Opposite side of your brain and both sides of brain will become active.
• Take dance lessons. In a study, dancing was the only regular physical activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia and improved memory functions. The people who Danced three or four times a week showed 76 % less incidence of dementia than those who danced only once a week or not at all.
• Walking daily improves cardiovascular health which is important to maintain blood flow to the brain.
• Read and write daily. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process and store Information. Likewise, writing (not copying) stimulates many areas of the brain as well.
• Start knitting. Using both hands work both sides of your brain. And it's a stress reducer.
• Learn a new language. Whether it's a foreign language or sign language, you are working your brain by making it go back and forth between one language and the other.
• Play board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. Not only are you taxing your brain, you're Socializing too. Playing solo games, such as solitaire or sudoku brain games can be helpful, but Prefers games that encourage you to socialize too.
• Take classes throughout your lifetime. Learning produces structural and chemical changes in the brain, and education appears to help people live longer with improvement in memory function
• Listen to classical music. A growing volume of research suggests that music may hard wire the brain, building links between the two hemispheres.
• Learn a musical instrument. It may be harder than it was when you were a kid, but you'll be developing a dormant part of your brain.
• Travel. When you travel you're forcing your brain to navigate a new and complex environment.
• Join clubs or organizations that need volunteers.
• Yoga and meditation – Very important, various studies proven that yoga and meditation helps relive the stresses of everyday life and helps to boost memory
• Get enough sleep. Studies have shown that good sleep improves memory
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Eat at least one meal a day with family and friends.

What is a stroke?

1. An artery going to the brain gets clogged or closes off, and part of the brain goes without blood for too long (ischemic stroke)
2. An artery breaks open and starts bleeding into or around the brain ( haemorrhagic stroke)

How do strokes affect people?

1. Which part and how much of the brain is affected
2. How quickly the stroke is treated

It will cause loss of important brain functions. For example, some people become partly paralyzed or unable to speak. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world.

How can you tell if someone is having a stroke?

There is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. The symptoms usually come on suddenly. Just think of the word "FAST"

Each letter in the word stands for one of the things you should watch for and what to do about it:

Face – Does the person's face look uneven or droop on one side?

Arm – Does the person have weakness or numbness in one or both arms? Does one arm drift down if the person tries to hold both arms out?

Speech – Is the person having trouble speaking? Does his or her speech sound strange?

Time – If you notice any of these stroke signs, call for an ambulance.

Some experts suggest thinking of the term "BE-FAST" instead. This adds 2 more symptoms to the list above:

Balance – Is the person having trouble standing or walking?

Eyes – Is the person having trouble with their vision?

You need to act FAST. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery.

How are strokes treated?

The right treatment depends on what kind of stroke you are having. You need to get to the hospital very quickly to figure this out. At the hospital, the doctors will do tests to confirm type of stroke with CT scan or MRI of brain.

People whose strokes are caused by clogged arteries (ischemic stroke) canget

1. IV thrombolysis therapy (within 4.5 hours) with alteplase to dissolve clots in arteries or / and
2. Mechanical thrombectomy procedure (within 6 hours) which removes clots physically from arteries with small catheters through arteries

These treatments can help you recover from the stroke.

1. Have treatments that might reduce the damage caused by bleeding in or around the brain
2. Stop taking medicines that increase bleeding
3. Have surgery or a procedure to treat the blood vessel to prevent more bleeding (this is not always possible to do)

Apart from this we have a specialized Electrophysiology department where following investigations are done :

• Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
• Electromyogram (EMG)
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Video Electroencephalogram (Video EEG)
• Evoked Potential Studies
• Repetitive Nerve Stimulation
• Botox treatment in neurological disorders (EMG Guided)

Vertigo Clinic
This clinic provides comprehensive care in evaluation and management of patients with vertigo. Vertigo refers to the symptoms of giddiness or spinning sensation. Vertigo could be either central (due to neurological causes) or peripheral (due to vestibular or otological apparatus). The Brain and Ear are important organs for hearing and balance. Balance of the body depends on inputs from ears, eyes and the nervous system.