Neurology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system. Neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spine, and the central and autonomic nervous systems.

Neurologic pain is often the first warning sign something may be wrong. You might have a headache that won’t go away, back pain, or tingling and numbness in your hands and feet. If you do, our experienced team of physicians in the Department of Neurology at Raghavendra Hospitals takes the time to understand you and your health uses a multidisciplinary approach to help address your neurologic pain. We listen to understand your questions and concerns. Then, we develop a care plan that’s right for you, 

Services include diagnosis and surgical and non-surgical treatment options for neurological conditions and disorders of the spine and nervous system, including neck, back, headache pain, and then follow-up care for your needs.

The mission of the neurology department is to provide outstanding clinical care and to bring scientific research and discovery from the bench to the bedside to improve the lives of our patients.

CONDITIONS TREATED/TREATMENTS & PROCEDURES 

Our specialists provide care from diagnosis to treatment and then follow-up care for your needs, focusing on:

Stroke :

Your brain requires a constant supply of oxygen in order to function properly. Since brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen, even a brief interruption in this supply can cause irreparable damage.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted. Time is critical if you or someone you love is having a stroke. The longer the brain is without oxygen, the more severe the damage is likely to be. To be most effective, certain lifesaving treatments must be started within a small window of time.

Raghavendra Hospital center for Neurosciences offers the most advanced treatments for stroke. We deliver personalized care for all types of stroke.

• Ischemic Stroke: A blood clot that travels to the brain can cause an ischemic stroke.  If a patient receives hospital care within three hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, a clot-busting medication may be given. Patients who receive this medication are more likely to recover and avoid suffering long-term disability fully.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: When a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain, a hemorrhagic stroke can occur
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), sometimes called a Mini-Stroke :

When a clogged artery slows the blood supply to the brain, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) can occur. Having a TIA may increase your risk of having a stroke. Avoiding care can make recovery more difficult.

If you are concerned about your risk of stroke, make an appointment with your Raghavendra primary care provider to learn what you can do to reduce your risk. Then, take the time to find your Raghavendra Hospital/any other hospital’s emergency room nearest to you, so you know where to go in the case of an emergency.

Our neurologists specialize in stroke treatments. Using medications and surgical treatments, our care team helps reduce your risk of having a stroke and can help prevent strokes. We monitor your health for conditions that may increase your stroke risk and help you work to manage your risk if you have:

• Previous stroke or TIA
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease, including atrial fibrillation
• Diabetes
• Sickle cell disease

Signs & Symptoms of Stroke :

Recognizing stroke symptoms is key to getting the proper care quickly.​ The word “FAST” is an easy way to remember what to look out for.

• FACE: Ask the person to smile. Is there a droop on one side (an uneven smile)?
• ARM: Ask the person to raise both arms with their eyes closed. Does one arm drift down because of weakness? Is there arm numbness?
• SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can they repeat it? Is speech slurred or difficult to understand?
• TIME: call 102,108 and get to a hospital immediately. The faster treatment is administered, the better the outcome.

​​In addition, sudden stroke symptoms may include:​

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache without a known cause​

All of the above warning signs may not occur with each stroke. Do not ignore any of the warning signs, even if they go away–take action immediately. 

Aneurysm :

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in an artery caused by a weakening of the artery’s wall. Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, but they occur most often in the brain and in the abdominal aorta. Aneurysms can be caused by:

• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• The buildup of cholesterol and other fatty deposits
• High blood pressure
• Injury or infection
• Inherited blood vessel weakness

If it grows large enough, an aneurysm can be life-threatening. Once a cerebral aneurysm ruptures and fills the brain with blood, the effects can be devastating.

Our highly specialized neurosurgeons at Raghavendra Hospital are skilled at the most current surgical repair techniques available for treating aneurysms. If you’ve been diagnosed with an aneurysm, find a Raghavendra hospital neurosurgeon near you to access the most advanced care in the region.

Signs & Symptoms of an Aneurysm :

Most aneurysms don’t have any signs or symptoms until they become substantial or rupture. Before an aneurysm ruptures, a patient may experience:

• Dilated pupils
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Pain above or behind the eye
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the face

Once an aneurysm ruptures, the most common symptom experienced is a severe, sudden headache, often described as the ‘worst headache of your life.’ Loss of consciousness, sensitivity to light, and nausea and vomiting may also occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures. Living with epilepsy can be challenging — from fear of seizures and falling to anxiety and stress. At Raghavendra Hospital, we understand what significant impact epilepsy can have on your life. From diagnosis to treatment and recovery, we offer advanced care for epilepsy and seizures. If a brain condition is causing seizures or affecting your behavior, movement, or feelings, we can help. Our doctors work quickly to understand the care you need and deliver care that’s right for you. Our goal is to help you gain optimal control over epilepsy and seizures. 

A Seizure is a warning sign that something is wrong. The neurology care teams at Raghavendra Hospital are here to help with emergency care and ongoing care. We take the time to understand you and how your symptoms are affecting your life. And we listen and answer your questions. Then, we work with you on a care plan that’s right for you. We focus on treatments to help you manage your epilepsy and improve brain health.

Types & Causes of Epilepsy :

There are many types of epilepsy “syndromes”  defined by a specific set of features, such as the cause of the seizures, what provokes the seizures, the area of the brain effected, and how severe and frequent the seizures are. Classifying your epilepsy can help you, and your doctor determines what treatments may be the most effective. In general, epilepsy is often defined in two broad categories: generalized epilepsy and focal epilepsy.

Generalized Epilepsy :

During a generalized seizure, abnormal brain activity involves all areas of the brain. Generalized epilepsy is thought to be caused by a genetic predisposition but can also result from brain infections, head injuries, or lack of oxygen.

Focal Epilepsy :

With focal epilepsy, the abnormal electrical activity begins in smaller, isolated areas of the brain and spreads to other parts. Focal epilepsies are often caused by lesions in the brain and can usually be detected with an MRI scan.

In some cases, the cause of your seizures may never be identified.

Signs & Symptoms of Epilepsy :

The signs and symptoms of seizures vary between patients and can range in severity from mild to severe. In some cases, you may not even be aware that you are having a seizure. Symptoms may include:

• Jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Muscles becoming weak or limp
• Repetitive movements like staring, clapping, and lip-smacking
• Unusual head and eye movements
• Changes in thinking or cognition, such as confusion or lack of response to noise or words
• Sleepiness and irritability upon waking
• Falling suddenly for no apparent reason
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Apnea

Epilepsy is a serious condition, but it can be managed. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your Raghavendra Hospital Healthcare provider, who may recommend a neurologist specializing in epilepsy to help you get the best possible care for your condition.

Causes :

Conditions that damage the brain or stimulate abnormal electrical activity can cause a seizure. Sometimes the cause of a seizure is unknown. If you have recurrent seizures, you may have epilepsy. Different conditions that affect your brain can cause epilepsy. Many times the cause is unknown. Some causes include:

• Brain tumor
• Central nervous system infection
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury or head injury
• Drug or alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Abnormal blood sugar (glucose) or electrolytes
• Medication side effects
• Genetic disorders and brain abnormalities
• Infection of the brain or the tissues surrounding it
• Psychological stress
• Poisoning, such as carbon monoxide
• Vascular anomaly, like an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

Our doctors specialize in managing all types of epilepsy. Neurologists at Raghavendra Hospital are highly-trained in medication therapies for epilepsy. Your treatment depends on the cause of your seizures. Recurrent epileptic seizures may be treated with medication, electrical stimulation, or surgery to remove the part of the brain causing seizures. Nonepileptic seizures can often be resolved by treating the underlying cause.

The warning signs of a seizure may not be obvious. A person may seem confused or be staring and become unaware of what’s going on around them. Other symptoms may include falling or shaking uncontrollably.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 102/108.

Getting the proper care at the right time is critical for your health.

Living with epilepsy is not easy. Unexpected seizures are frightening and can affect your daily activities. Still, the neurosciences team at Raghavendra Hospital can help you navigate your condition so you can take back control of your life.

Headache is one of the most common medical complaints. Although tension-type headache is by far the most common headache type, the vast majority of patients who seek medical care for their pain have migraines.

You should not ignore the pain in your head, especially when you have other symptoms like nausea, vision problems, and dizziness. Our neurologists at Raghavendra Hospital listen to understand you and your health concerns. We talk about what might be triggering your headaches. Then, we deliver a care plan that’s right for you.

A chronic headache is a headache that may come and go for at least 15 days a month for three or more months. Our specialists diagnose and treat headaches from all causes. Our first step is to figure out the type of headache you are having.

Types of Headaches :

Your first step to relieving pain is to determine the cause and type of your headaches. There are two categories of headaches, primary and secondary.

Primary Headache :

Primary headaches are caused by a headache condition itself and account for 90% percent of all headaches. There are three types of primary headache: tension headache, cluster headache, and migraine.

• Tension: the most common type; results from stress and muscle tension
• Migraine: often come with symptoms other than pain, like nausea and sensitivity to light
• Cluster: occur in groups with pain-free time in between; more prominent in men than  in women

Secondary Headache :

Secondary headaches result from an underlying condition that causes head pain, such as a sinus infection, head trauma, or tumor. Head pain can also result from problems with the eyes, ears, neck, teeth, or sinuses. In these cases, the underlying condition must be diagnosed and treated first to stop the headaches.

Migraine :

Migraine headaches are moderate to severe in intensity and may endure for four to 72 hours. They may be pulsating, can be triggered by routine activity, and sometimes cause sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells. Nausea and/or vomiting may result. Some patients report an aura or visual disturbance before the migraine occurs. If migraine headaches occur 15 days per month or more, chronic migraine may be the diagnosis.

When your headache becomes an emergency :

Raghavendra Hospital provides emergency care for brain and spine emergencies. Warning signs of traumatic brain injury may include a persistent headache and other symptoms, including:

• Balance problems
• Dizziness
• Feeling tired, having no energy
• Fuzzy or blurred vision
• Sensitivity to noise or light

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 102 or 108.

Treatments are now available that can significantly reduce the pain and disability caused by migraines and headaches. Depending on the headache type and frequency, treatment plans may include avoidance of headache triggers, preventative medications, acute headache medications, physical therapy, and bio behavioral treatments such as biofeedback*, relaxation therapy*, and Botox* for migraines.

Patients are often asked to maintain a headache diary. This should include headache frequency, timing, location, potential triggers, current and past treatments, and preliminary tests performed.

Clinical research trials also are available for qualifying headache patients. Clinical trials examine how best to prevent and treat headaches.

Clumsiness, muscle weakness, and shaky hand tremors are some of the warning signs of a balance problem. Our doctors at Raghavendra Hospital listen to understand you. We evaluate if your balance problem is a symptom of a nervous system disorder. Having a movement disorder may affect how well you talk, swallow, write or walk. Our doctors, physical therapists work with you to create a care plan with treatments and therapies to help manage pain and other symptoms from neurologic conditions, including:

• Ataxia: It is a degenerative nervous system disease. Loss of complete control of body movements
• Dystonia: persistent muscle contractions, causing abnormal, repetitive movements
• Huntington’s disease: An inherited condition that causes degenerative effects of nerve cells in the brain; usually leads to movement, thinking, and psychiatric disorders
• Multiple system atrophy: Nervous system disorder that affects multiple parts of the body, causing progressive loss of function
• Parkinson’s disease (PD): Central nervous system disorder affecting movement, often accompanied by tremors.
• Progressive supranuclear palsy: Condition affecting walking, balance, and eye movements
• Restless leg syndrome: Unpleasant or uncomfortable sensation in the legs followed by a constant urge to move them
• Tics and Tourette syndrome: Condition involving repetitive movements or unwanted sounds
• Tremors and essential tremor: Nervous system disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking

In many cases, movement disorders cannot be cured, and the goal of treatment is to minimize symptoms and relieve pain. Some are severe and progressive, impairing your ability to move and speak. While therapy for movement disorders will depend on the underlying cause of your condition. Because no two movement disorders are the same, our specialized teams will develop an individualized treatment plan for you. Make an appointment today with a Raghavendra Hospital Neurosciences specialist to learn how our multi-specialty approach will help you manage your condition today and in the future.

• Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic nervous system condition affecting the brain and spinal cord. While we don’t fully understand what causes MS, it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In people with MS, this process destroys myelin – the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This damage then slows down or blocks the messages between the brain and body.

Causes :

The cause of MS is unknown, but researchers believe that immunological, environmental, infectious,  and genetic factors all have some effect on MS. Continued research efforts help us to better understand this disease and find more effective ways to treat it and ultimately cure MS.

Signs & Symptoms of MS:

As with many conditions, the signs and symptoms of MS are varied and sometimes unpredictable. No two individuals will suffer from the same symptoms. In addition, the symptoms of MS may change over time. Common symptoms include:

• Visual disturbances
• Muscle weakness
• Trouble with coordination and balance
• Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or “pins and needles”
• Thinking and memory problems

Managing your symptoms is a key component of your comprehensive MS care. Be sure to discuss with your healthcare provider any symptoms you may experience, even if you don’t think they are related to your MS.

The past 20 years have seen significant improvements in the diagnosis of the disease and its treatment. Medications can now decrease the number of attacks and slow down their damage in some patients. Imaging techniques such as MRIs enable much quicker diagnosis—and earlier treatment—in most patients.

MS cannot be cured, but treatments to improve symptoms can be very valuable. We believe that our multidisciplinary team at Raghavendra Hospital can improve our patients’ lifestyles to maximize the use of healthy body functions. Symptomatic treatments, for example, can decrease pain, stiffness, tremor, fatigue and improve bowel and bladder function and activities of daily living in general. In addition, your comprehensive care may include lifestyle modifications and physical and occupational therapy.

Peripheral nerves are the nerves that carry simple commands from the brain to the legs, arms, hands, and feet. They enable people to perform such basic activities as bending the elbow, buttoning a shirt, and stepping forward.
Peripheral neuropathy means these nerves don’t work properly. Peripheral neuropathy may occur because of damage to a single nerve or a group of nerves. It may also affect nerves in the whole body.

Conditions include:

• Nerve compression syndromes
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Peroneal nerve entrapment
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Nerve injuries
  • Brachial plexus injuries
  • Lumbosacral plexus injuries
  • Any individual nerve injury resulting in numbness or paralysis
• Pain
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
  • Migraine headaches
  • Neuroma pain

Injuries to the shoulder, arms, and legs are common—numbering in the hundreds of thousands each year. Yet specialists who treat these regions of the body often are focused on other types of injuries and have limited expertise with the peripheral nervous system.

At Raghavendra Hospital, neurosurgeons work together with plastic and reconstructive surgeons, neurologists, and therapists to offer comprehensive treatment of peripheral nerve injuries and disorders.