A Consultant Neurologist investigates diagnoses and treats problems in the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Your nervous system is an incredibly complex system. Responsible for transmitting electrical signals (impulses) around the body in order to generate a specific response in a particular place, it is spread around the body and affects every part of it.
If any part of the nervous system becomes damaged and no longer to function properly, it can have a significant impact on your body, your overall health, and your quality of life.
The experienced Consultant Neurologists at The Cavell Hospital in Enfield, North London, help people with a wide range of neurological conditions and symptoms. They would be delighted to help you too.
Given the extensive nature of the nervous system, it is no surprise that a problem can result in symptoms throughout the body.
Some of the common reasons people come to The Cavell Hospital for expert help include:
- Headaches and facial pain
- Migraines – these affect up to 20% of the adult female population
- Dizziness / unsteadiness and vertigo
- Sensory symptoms – like numbness or tingling
- Weakness or loss of coordination
- Walking difficulties and / unexplained falls
- Blackouts – fainting episodes or fits / epileptic seizures
- Increased forgetfulness or confusion
- Abnormal movements – such as tremors or a general slowness
- Bladder or bowel problems
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, whether relatively mild or more severe, and they are causing you concern or affecting the quality of your life, it is sensible to get expert advice. The highly experienced Consultant Neurologists at The Cavell Hospital will investigate your symptoms to determine the cause, then work closely with you to develop a personal treatment plan.
The complexity of the nervous system means that many of the conditions that affect it will often end up causing similar symptoms, making diagnosis more challenging. By getting help from a Consultant Neurologist at an early stage, possible causes can be narrowed down more quickly.
Conditions affecting the nervous system include:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – a is a lifelong condition with no cure, although appropriate treatments may help to manage symptoms and reduce relapses and/or disability
- Parkinson’s Disease – a brain disorder causing symptoms like tremors, shaking and stiffness
- Epilepsy – seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain
- Dementia – used to describe a decline in brain function serious enough to affect work or social interactions
- Motor Neurone Disease – when the motor nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS) stop working, symptoms like slurred speech and muscle weakness can occur
These conditions can be extremely difficult to live with and will often have a big impact on quality of life. An earlier diagnosis means you’ll be able to benefit from suitable treatment sooner.
At The Cavell Hospital, we can arrange a private appointment with a Consultant Neurologist without delay. Why not contact us today to book your appointment?
The most important first step in getting the most suitable treatment is to get an accurate diagnosis. In other words, to know exactly what is causing your symptoms.
When you first meet with your Consultant at the hospital, they will take a medical history and will ask you about your symptoms in detail. They will ask you questions like:
- What symptoms do you have?
- When did these symptoms begin / when did you first notice them?
- Have they been getting worse?
- In what way(s) are your symptoms affecting daily life or limiting you?
- Do you have a treatment plan in place already?
They marry carry out a physical examination if indicated. They may also carry out a neurological examination, to systematically test your cranial and peripheral nerves, and/or a cognitive examination if appropriate
This may be all that is needed to make a diagnosis, but in many cases you may be referred for additional investigations like:
- MRI of the spine and/or brain
- CT scan
- Neurophysiology test – electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction test (NCS) – tests for nerve damage in the peripheral nerves (the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord)
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) – measures the electrical activity in the brain. Useful for investigation of epilepsy
- Blood tests
These tests will be carried out at the earliest opportunity. Due to the specialist nature of some of them, some can be done here on-site, while others will be arranged for you outside the hospital.
Once any results are back, your Consultant will meet with you again to discuss the results and to explore suitable treatment options. If you have any questions or concerns, you will be able to talk through them together in a relaxed, unhurried environment.
Due to the many varied ways a neurological condition can affect the body, your Consultant has a close working relationship with specialists in other areas like neurosurgery, spinal surgery, oncology, and radiology. If it is determined that referral to another specialist would be the most appropriate action, this will be arranged for you without delay.
For example, some neurological problems may require surgery, in which case referral to a neurosurgeon or a spinal surgeon would be appropriate.
Many of the people who visit our Consultant Neurologist live locally, either in Enfield itself or nearby. It can be so convenient to have access to expert help without the need to travel to a Central London location such as Harley Street.
Most people are referred to our Consultant Neurologists by their GP, another healthcare specialist, an online GP service or their private medical insurance provider. Others are concerned by their symptoms and choose to self-refer.
We treat people with private medical insurance and self-pay patients.
When you visit a Consultant Neurologist at The Cavell Hospital, you will benefit from:
- Rapid access to expert assessment – Many neurological conditions cause symptoms that can be concerning to experience. With increased demand and longer waiting times to be seen in the NHS, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate fast access to an experienced Consultant. We can arrange a private Neurology appointment at a time that’s convenient to you.
- Consultant-directed care, always – Your Consultant will oversee every aspect of your care and will monitor your response to treatment at regular intervals so that treatment can be adjusted if needed. This ensures excellent continuity of care.
- Appointments to suit you – It is very easy to book a Neurology appointment for a time that suits you. for your convenience, we can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required.
- Recommended by patients – In an independent survey, 98.6% of people said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family.
- Location - The Cavell Hospital is in Enfield, North London, and easy to travel to by private or public transport. Our car park has 80 spaces.
Whether you have a pre-existing condition that has flared up and is no longer being suitably managed with your current treatment plan, or are concerned by new symptoms, expert guidance is available.
For peace of mind and known expert care, why not book your private Neurology appointment today? We very much look forward to welcoming you to The Cavell Hospital and helping you to get the help you need.
