Neurology

Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. Given the highly complex structure of the nervous system, the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases require a high level of expertise and advanced technology. The Neurology Department of Koru Hospital provides comprehensive neurological healthcare services to its patients with the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment facilities offered by modern medicine.

Structure and Functions of the Nervous System

The nervous system consists of two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. While the central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system encompasses the network of nerves extending to all parts of the body. This complex structure is responsible for regulating movement, sensation, thinking, memory, speech, vision, balance, and many autonomic functions. Any disorder in the nervous system can lead to a wide variety of symptoms and loss of function.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Diseases)

Stroke is an emergency neurological condition that occurs when brain tissue is damaged as a result of the blockage or rupture of brain vessels. As one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability worldwide, stroke can be treated with early intervention.

• Ischemic Stroke: This type, which develops as a result of the blockage of brain vessels by a clot, accounts for approximately eighty percent of all strokes. The blocked vessel can be opened with thrombolytic therapy administered within the first 4.5 hours.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: Occurs in the form of intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage. High blood pressure, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations are among the most common causes.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A condition where stroke symptoms last for less than 24 hours. TIA is considered a warning sign of an impending stroke and requires urgent intervention.

Recognizing stroke symptoms and ensuring emergency intervention is life-saving. Sudden facial drooping, weakness in an arm or leg, speech impairment, vision loss, and severe headache are important symptoms of a stroke. If these symptoms are noticed, emergency medical services should be called immediately.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal electrical activity in brain cells. Affecting approximately one percent of the population, this disease can be largely controlled with appropriate treatment.

• Focal Seizures: Seizures originating from a specific area of the brain. They may or may not be accompanied by loss of consciousness. They can manifest as twitching, numbness, or sensory changes in one extremity.
• Generalized Seizures: Seizures that affect both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, absence seizures, and myoclonic seizures are included in this group.
• Status Epilepticus: A condition where a seizure lasts longer than five minutes or consciousness is not regained between seizures. It is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the primary diagnostic tool for epilepsy. In drug-resistant epilepsy cases, video-EEG monitoring, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and, if necessary, epilepsy surgery are evaluated.

Headaches

Headache is one of the most common reasons for admission to neurology outpatient clinics. While primary headaches occur without an underlying disease, secondary headaches develop as a symptom of various pathologies.

• Migraine: A neurological disease characterized by moderate-to-severe, often unilateral, throbbing headaches. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound frequently accompany it. In cases of migraine with aura, neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances or numbness may occur before the headache.
• Tension-Type Headache: The most common type of primary headache. It is characterized by a squeezing or pressure-like pain on both sides of the head.
• Cluster Headache: A very severe and periodically recurring headache that usually concentrates around the eye. It may be accompanied by tearing, nasal congestion, and eye redness.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia: A nerve pain that manifests itself with sudden and severe attacks of pain in the facial area, similar to an electric shock.

Movement Disorders

Movement disorders encompass a broad group of neurological diseases that affect voluntary and involuntary movements. These diseases stem from disorders in the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and associated brain structures.

• Parkinson's Disease: A neurodegenerative disease that develops with the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability are its main symptoms. Levodopa and dopamine agonists form the basis of treatment.
• Essential Tremor: The most common movement disorder. It manifests as shaking in the hands, head, or voice.
• Dystonia: Characterized by the development of abnormal postures and movements resulting from involuntary muscle contractions.
• Huntington's Disease: A genetically transmitted neurodegenerative disease that progresses with involuntary movements called chorea, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia is a clinical condition that leads to a progressive decline in memory, thinking, judgment, and the ability to perform daily living activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for approximately sixty to seventy percent of all dementia cases.

Early symptoms include short-term memory loss, difficulty finding words, spatial disorientation, and difficulty with planning. As the disease progresses, dependence in daily living activities increases and behavioral changes become more pronounced. Early diagnosis is of great importance for the timely implementation of treatment options that will slow the progression of the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that develops as a result of damage to the myelin sheath in the central nervous system through autoimmune mechanisms. It usually begins in young adults and is more common in women. Blurred vision, numbness, weakness, balance problems, and fatigue are the most common symptoms.

Magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and evoked potential tests are used in the diagnosis of MS. Disease-modifying therapies reduce the frequency of attacks and slow the progression of the disease.

Peripheral Nerve Diseases and Neuropathies

Peripheral neuropathies encompass diseases that develop as a result of damage to peripheral nerves. Numbness, tingling, burning, pain, and weakness are the most common symptoms. Diabetic neuropathy, neuropathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Guillain-Barre syndrome are important diseases in this group.

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies are the primary diagnostic methods for peripheral nerve diseases. Treatment of the underlying cause and symptomatic treatment approaches are applied together.

Advanced Diagnostic Methods in Neurology

Advanced diagnostic methods used in modern neurological practice play a critical role in the accurate and early diagnosis of diseases.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): The most valuable diagnostic tool for detailed imaging of the brain and spinal cord. Advanced techniques such as diffusion MRI, perfusion MRI, and MR spectroscopy increase diagnostic accuracy.
• Electroencephalography (EEG): Used in the diagnosis of epilepsy and other neurological diseases by recording the electrical activity of the brain.
• Electromyography (EMG): An important diagnostic method used to evaluate muscle and nerve functions electrically.
• Computed Tomography (CT): Provides rapid information, especially in emergency situations, for the evaluation of brain hemorrhage, head trauma, and bone structures.
• Lumbar Puncture: Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid provides important information in the diagnosis of diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, and MS.

Rehabilitation in Neurological Diseases

Neurological rehabilitation aims to regain lost functions after stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological diseases. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation programs play an important role in increasing the independence levels of patients.

Prevention of Neurological Diseases

A healthy lifestyle is of great importance in preventing neurological diseases. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and maintaining mental activity help protect brain health. Keeping risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol under control plays a critical role in reducing the risk of stroke and dementia in particular.

In the Neurology Department of Koru Hospital, our specialist physicians apply the most current scientific approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system diseases, providing our patients with individualized, evidence-based, and comprehensive neurological healthcare services. Working with a multidisciplinary team approach, our neurology specialists aim to keep the quality of life of patients at the highest level.