Pinnacle Neurology

Also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. Nerve cells break down, which reduces functionality in the muscles they supply.

Bell’s Palsy causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and improves over weeks. The muscle weakness makes half of the face appear to droop, smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side resists closing.

Bradykinesia is slowness of movement and speed (or progressive hesitations/halts). It is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. You must have bradykinesia and either tremor or rigidity for a Parkinson’s diagnosis to be considered.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease is a disorder that causes damage to the peripheral nerves (that transmit information and signals from the brain and spinal cord to and from the rest of the body).

Dizziness can be a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, woozy, weak, or unsteady. You should see a doctor if you experience repeated dizziness, extended periods or severe dizziness, feel that the room is spinning, or can’t perform daily activities.

Epilepsy, also known as a “seizure disorder,” is a neurological condition that causes unprovoked seizures. A seizure is when an abnormal pattern of electrical activity occurs in the brain that temporarily interrupts normal brain function.

An unprovoked seizure is not caused by conditions such as a high fever, low/high blood sugar, alcohol, drug intoxication/withdrawal, or electrolyte abnormalities. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, he or she is considered to have epilepsy.

Epilepsy is one of the most common nervous system disorders, affecting individuals of all ages, races and ethnicities. It has a wide range of severity. Epilepsy may occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as a trauma or stroke.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body.

The condition may be triggered by an acute bacterial or viral infection.

Ideopathic Intracranial Hypertension is a condition that occurs when pressure inside the skull increases for no obvious reason. Symptoms mimic a brain tumor, but no tumor is present. They may include headache behind the eyes, ringing in the ears in time with the heartbeat, and brief episodes of blindness.

Movement disorders refer to neurological conditions that cause either increased movements or reduced or slow movements that may be voluntary or involuntary.

Common movement disorders include:

• Ataxia
• Dystonia
• Huntington’s Disease
• Parkinson Disease
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• Tourette Syndrome
• Tremor

Myasthenia Gravis is weakness and rapid fatigue of muscles under voluntary control. The condition is caused by a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. Symptoms include weakness in the arm and leg muscles, double vision, and difficulties with speech and chewing.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). The immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body.

Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking.

Peripheral neuropathy is weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in your hands and feet. A common cause of this neurological disorder is diabetes, but it can also result from injuries, infections, and exposure to toxins. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain, pins-and-needles sensation, numbness, and weakness.

We do not treat neuropathy that is due to diabetes or chemotherapy.

Post-herpetic neuralgia is a lasting pain in the areas of your skin where you had shingles.

Spasmodic Torticollis, also called cervical dystonia, is a painful condition where your neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing your head to twist or turn to one side or cause your head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward.

Transverse Myelitis is an inflammation of part of the spinal cord. Common symptoms are back or neck pain, weakness or sensation changes in the arms or legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Vertigo is a sudden spinning sensation, often triggered by moving your head too quickly.

• Neurological evaluation
• Comprehensive headache evaluation and treatment
• Injections for headache and migraine
• Occipital nerve block (injection of steroids or anesthetics for chronic headache)
• Electromyography