Neurology

After heart attack, stroke is the leading cause of death worldwide. In Serbia, one case of stroke is recorded every 15 minutes. That is, about 23,000 people a year in Serbia experience an acute stroke, of that number, about 7,500 lose their lives, the same number remain disabled, while approximately 8,000 successfully recover. Preventive measures can significantly reduce the negative consequences, especially if a person seeks professional help and receives thrombolytic therapy within the first hour of the onset of symptoms.

The most common symptoms of neurological diseases are: mental problems, muscle weakness, muscle tremors, loss of feeling in the extremities, unexplained pain, confusion, vision problems, headaches

The most common neurological diseases are: headaches and migraines, head and spine injuries, brain tumors, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease.

Diagnostics of neurological diseases includes the application of various methods for identifying and monitoring damage in the nervous system:

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain and spinal cord. It is especially useful for diagnosing tumors, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other structural damage.

2. Computed tomography (CT): Uses X-rays to create layered images of the brain and spine. It is fast and effective for detecting bleeding, aneurysms, tumors, skull fractures and strokes, especially in emergency situations.

3.Electroencephalography (EEG): is a neurological diagnostic method that provides data on brain activity, that is, on brain functioning, which cannot be obtained in any other way.
EEG recording is painless, safe and harmless. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s scalp and record the electrical activity of the brain. The computer of the EEG machine converts this information into a graphic record that is interpreted by a doctor, an electroencephalographer.
EEG is important in the process of diagnosing epilepsy, loss of consciousness, confused states, sleep disorders. Also, EEG can provide useful information to the neurologist during the monitoring of the condition after a head injury, cerebrovascular insult, dementia, intoxication, tumor processes in the brain, brain infections. Simultaneous recording of EEG and video recordings of the patient is important in the diagnostic process of epilepsy and other sudden, short-term, repeated behavioral and movement disorders, because it allows them to be analyzed simultaneously with the recording of electrical activity of the brain.
Standard EEG recording is performed in the awake state, and if it is clinically significant, EEG recording is also performed after partial sleep deprivation with the aim of registering the EEG record during sleep.

As part of the preparation for a standard EEG recording, it is necessary:
• Take a light meal 2 hours before the scheduled recording time.
• Wash your hair the day before or on the day of the examination, but do not use conditioner/balm, hair masks, hairspray and gel, as they can affect the quality of the recording.
• On the day of the recording, do not consume alcohol or caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, coke) because they can affect the test results.
• Take your regular, prescribed therapy as usual.
As part of preparation for EEG recording after partial sleep deprivation, it is necessary to:
• Fall asleep two hours later than the usual rhythm the night before, and wake up two hours earlier in the morning, no later than 4 a.m.
• During the morning, be active, do not nap or sleep, have lunch and then come to the recording.

4. Electromyoneurography (EMNG): This method evaluates muscle and peripheral nerve function. It is used for the diagnosis of muscle diseases, neuropathies, radiculopathy and similar conditions.

These methods are often used complementary in order to make a precise diagnosis and enable adequate treatment.