The first thing do to when you need medical advise or care is to talk to your primary care physician. They will be able to tell you if you need to see a neurologist, a chiropractor, a gynecologist or whatever other kind of specialist medical professional that you need. It’s important to make sure that you are seeing the right person for your condition. If you have constant or chronic knee pain when walking then you might need to go to a chiropractic clinic but if you are experiencing sinus problems, an ear, nose and throat doctor is going to be your best bet. You might think that you only need to see a neurologist if you are having problems with your brain but this isn’t true.

What many people don’t know about neurologists is that they also treat the spinal cord, which is where the central nervous system is located as well as any nerves and muscles that are connecting the brain and spine to other organs such as the liver or the lungs. This can include a myriad of conditions. Here are just the top few reasons why you might be referred to a neurologist.

Headaches
Pain in your head is something that everyone experiences from time to time. If your symptoms are more serious such as migraines accompanied by vomiting and nausea, a debilitating headache that comes on all of a sudden, changes in your vision or seizures, you will probably be referred on.

Chronic Pain
Chronic pain anywhere in your body can be connected to your brain or your central nervous system. Chronic pain is described as a painful feeling that lasts for months or even years. If your primary care doctor has done what they can do to ease the pain and you haven’t seen a difference then it might be time to see a neurologist.

Strong>Dizzy Spells
One or two random dizzy spells will not automatically send you off to the neurologist but if you have been diagnosed with vertigo or disequilibrium and are having difficult finding and keeping your balance, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not your symptoms are serious enough to be referred.

Weakness
This is not the feeling that you get after a hard work out sessions or a long hike. This feeling of weakness is not brought on by anything but is a general way of living where it takes a lot of extra effort just to be able to lift your arms and legs or make your body work properly and how you want it to.

Problems Moving
Maybe you have noticed that recently you have become particularly clumsy or have started having a hard time when you are walking. Any kind of jerky movements, tremors or more could be a symptom of a bigger problem in your nervous system.

Seizures
These come in varying levels of severity from virtually unnoticeable to extreme tremors and jerking movements. Seizures that happen without warning or cause, this is when you might want to consider asking about a referral for a neurologist.

Problems Seeing
If the problem starts suddenly or it happens in both eyes at once, this could send you to the neurologist. If the cause is old age or very gradual, you will likely be referred to an optometrist first.

Confusion
Becoming confused all of a sudden is not a good sign. This includes extreme problems remembering things, changes in your personality as well as forgetting how to speak or having a hard time saying words. There could be several problems for this; your primary care doctor will know what to do.

Difficulty Sleeping
Going to bed too late or sleep apnea or having to much on your mind can affect your sleep but there are some neurological disorders that can prevent you from getting the sleep that you need.

These are only a few of the things that a neurologist can treat for you. As mentioned, the first step is always to see your primary care doctor. There are many things that a general doctor does not handle but the important thing is that you are referred to the correct specialist. Also, if you see a doctor you trust, you’ll be trust their referrals as well.