Neurology

Expert assessment and treatment for disorders of the nervous system.

Neurology is a field of medicine involved with investigating, diagnosing and treating problems in the nervous system, comprising the brain, spinal cord and nerves. A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a Consultant Neurologist.

At The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester, leading Consultant Neurologists treat a wide range of neurological conditions and symptoms.

Your nervous system is an incredibly complex system, made up different parts and functions. It sends electrical impulses around the body to generate a specific response. If anything stops your nervous system working properly, it can affect any part of your body, your health and your quality of life.

Because your nervous system is involved in the function of every part of your body, symptoms can be extremely varied. Some of the common reasons people visit our neurologists for help include:

Headaches and facial pain;
Migraines: these are more common in women;
Dizziness, unsteadiness and vertigo;
Sensory symptoms (numbness, tingling);
Weakness in any part of the body;
Loss of consciousness;
Fainting episodes or seizures;
Increased forgetfulness or cognitive problems;
Abnormal movement (tremors or slowing down);
Change in sense of taste or smell, and
Bladder or bowel problems.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is sensible to see a neurologist for expert advice. The neurology team at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester is highly experienced in investigating symptoms like these. After a diagnosis has been made, they will tailor a bespoke treatment plan for you to manage these symptoms as well as possible.

Diagnosing conditions affecting the nervous system can sometime be quite challenging, because many of them have very similar symptoms. Some conditions that can affect the nervous system include:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) – a lifelong condition, although treatments may help to manage symptoms and reduce relapses and disability;
Parkinson’s disease – a brain disorder that causes symptoms like shaking and stiffness;
Epilepsy – this causes abnormal electrical activity in the brain;
Dementia – this describes a decline in the brain functioning that affects memory, and
Motor neurone disease – this can occurs when the motor nerve cells stop working, causing symptoms like slurred speech and muscle weakness.

Many neurological conditions are best treated when they’re diagnosed at the earliest possible stage. At The Alexandra Hospital, we can provide you with a comprehensive investigation from an experienced neurologist in Manchester without delay.

When you first meet with your neurologist here, they will examine your medical history and ask about your symptoms.

They will want to know things like:

What symptoms you have;
When these symptoms first appeared;
Whether your symptoms have been getting worse ;
How your symptoms are affecting daily life, and
Whether you have received any treatment.

A physical examination may also be carried out when required.

All of these factors will help determine what (if any) additional investigations you may be referred for. These may include:

An MRI of spine and/or brain;
An electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction test (NCS). These test for nerve damage in the peripheral nerves (those outside your brain and spinal cord);
Electroencephalogram (EEG) – this measures electrical activity in the brain. It can be helpful when investigating conditions like epilepsy;
Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) test – this measures the speed at which your brain responds to visual signals;
Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP) test – this can be helpful when investigating certain causes of numbness in the arms and legs, and
Blood tests.

Any of these investigations can be arranged for you by your neurologist at The Alexandra Hospital. They will performed at the earliest possible opportunity. Many of them will be carried out in our dedicated Clinical Neurophysiology Department and reported on by experienced Consultant Clinical Neurophysiologists or Consultant Radiologists.

After any results are back, you will meet once more with your neurologist to talk through them and to explore possible treatment options. You will always have the information you need to make an informed choice about treatment. If you have any questions, you will be able to talk these through with your neurologist.

Due to the nature of neurological conditions, referral to specialists in other fields like ophthalmology, ENT, cardiology and neurosurgery may sometimes be needed. With over 600 consultants at The Alexandra Hospital, as well as a great number of other healthcare professionals, you will always see the most appropriate specialist.

Many people are referred to a Consultant Neurologist at The Alexandra Hospital by their GP, another healthcare professional or their private medical insurance provider. Others discover how long waiting lists are elsewhere and choose to self-refer to us to avoid delay.

We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients.

When you choose to visit a Consultant Neurologist at The Alexandra Hospital, you will benefit from:

Fast access to expert assessment – Many neurological symptoms can be quite concerning, so you’ll appreciate expert help as soon as possible. We can arrange an appointment for you with an experienced neurologist so that your symptoms can be investigated sooner.
Personalised care – Treatment for a neurological condition involves close collaboration between you and your Neurologist. The same neurologist will oversee every aspect of your treatment, giving excellent continuity of care. By regularly monitoring your symptoms, treatment can be adjusted quickly and easily where necessary to ensure you continue to get the best relief of symptoms possible.
Appointments to suit you – You can book a neurology appointment online or by telephone. We can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).
A whole team approach – With fast access to a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including more than 600 consultants, you will be expertly supported throughout time with us by the most appropriate specialist for your requirements.
Recommended by our patients – In an independent survey, 97.3% of patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to family and friends.