Neurology

Neurology is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves originating from the spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and muscles. A detailed evaluation is of great importance, as many neurological symptoms ranging from headaches to dizziness, forgetfulness to numbness in hands and feet, can be precursors to different diseases.

Nervous system diseases can affect the quality of life and, in some cases, may require early evaluation and regular follow-up. Therefore, it is important that neurological complaints are not neglected and are evaluated by a specialist physician.

Within the scope of Neurology Guzelyurt services, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Diker provides services regarding the evaluation, diagnostic process, and follow-up of nervous system diseases at MediHeart Medical Center.

Our center serves patients applying not only from the Guzelyurt region, but also from different regions of TRNC, primarily Lefke, Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, and Iskele. Where appropriate, patients coming from across North Cyprus and Cyprus can also apply to our center.

What is Neurology?

Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the evaluation of diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems.

A specialist physician in this field evaluates many different health conditions, such as:

• Brain diseases

• Spinal cord diseases

• Nervous system diseases

• Muscle diseases

• Movement disorders

• Issues related to memory and cognitive functions

When deemed necessary, a comprehensive evaluation can be planned using laboratory tests and imaging methods.

Which Diseases Does the Neurology Department Treat?

The main health problems that can be evaluated in the neurology department are as follows:

• Headaches

• Migraine

• Dizziness

• Neurological evaluation after stroke (paralysis)

• Epilepsy

• Parkinson’s disease

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Dementia

• Forgetfulness

• Numbness in hands and feet

• Nerve compressions

• Muscle weakness

• Tremor

• Balance disorders

• Certain neurological issues related to sleep

• Peripheral nerve diseases

The evaluation process for each patient is planned according to their complaints, medical history, and examination findings.

Which Complaints Warrant a Visit to the Neurology Department?

Neurological evaluation may be required when the following symptoms are observed:

• Frequent or severe headache

• Long-lasting dizziness

• Forgetfulness

• Loss of balance

• Fainting

• Muscle weakness

• Numbness in hands or feet

• Tingling sensation

• Involuntary contractions

• Tremor

• Difficulty walking

• Changes in speech

• Neurological complaints related to vision

Because these symptoms may stem from different causes, specialist evaluation is important.

What Happens During the First Neurological Examination?

During the initial examination, the patient’s complaints are evaluated in detail.

During the examination:

• Medical history is taken.

• The onset time of complaints is questioned.

• Medications used are evaluated.

• Chronic diseases are reviewed.

• Neurological examination is performed.

• Reflexes are evaluated.

• Muscle strength is examined.

• Sensory examination is performed.

• Balance and coordination are evaluated.

When deemed necessary, laboratory tests or radiological imaging methods can be planned.

Evaluation of Headache and Migraine

Headache is one of the most common neurological complaints.

The underlying cause of this complaint is investigated by evaluating its:

• Duration

• Severity

• Localization area

• Accompanying symptoms

• Attack frequency

Just as not every headache may be a migraine, not every migraine attack may show the same characteristics.

Evaluation of Forgetfulness and Memory

Although forgetfulness can be seen at any age, it may require a more detailed evaluation, especially in older ages.

During the evaluation process, the following are handled together:

• Memory functions

• Activities of daily living

• Attention and concentration

• Medications used

• Accompanying diseases

Advanced evaluation methods can be planned when deemed necessary.

Numbness in Hands and Feet

Numbness and tingling sensations may be associated with:

• Nerve compressions

• Peripheral nerve diseases

• Diabetes

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Other neurological causes

Therefore, detailed neurological evaluation is of great importance.

Neurology Services from Different Regions of TRNC

MediHeart Medical Center offers Neurology services to patients applying from different regions of TRNC, including Lefke, Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, and Iskele, particularly Guzelyurt.

In our center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Diker provides services regarding the evaluation and follow-up of nervous system diseases.

Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders

Parkinson’s disease is one of the neurological diseases that can affect the motor system. It generally manifests with slowness of movement, tremor at rest, muscle rigidity, and balance problems.

In neurological evaluation, the following are evaluated in detail:

• Onset time of symptoms

• Effects on daily life

• Motor functions

• Balance status

• Muscle tone

• Gait pattern

Additional evaluations can be planned when deemed necessary to distinguish other health problems that may cause similar symptoms.

Evaluation of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disease that can progress with seizures due to changes in electrical activity in the brain.

A detailed medical history is taken by evaluating the seizures’:

• Pattern of onset

• Duration

• Frequency

• Accompanying symptoms

• Similar past experiences

When deemed necessary, advanced tests can be planned and regular follow-up can be recommended.

Post-Stroke Neurological Follow-Up

Regular neurological evaluation after a stroke is important for monitoring the patient’s overall health status.

During the follow-up process, the following are evaluated:

• Muscle strength

• Balance

• Walking functions

• Neurological status related to speech

• Activities of daily living

• Neurological examination findings

The follow-up plan for each patient is created according to their individual health status.

Peripheral Nerve Diseases

Peripheral nervous system diseases can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, or muscle weakness in the hands, arms, legs, and feet.

Major reasons for evaluation include:

• Numbness in hands and feet

• Tingling

• Muscle weakness

• Nerve compressions

• Nerve involvement related to diabetes

• Neurological complaints related to vitamin deficiencies

Required evaluations are planned following a detailed neurological examination.

Dizziness and Balance Problems

Since dizziness can be associated with many different health problems, it may require a detailed evaluation.

During the neurological evaluation, the following are handled together:

• Onset of dizziness

• Duration

• Frequency of recurrence

• Balance problems

• Accompanying neurological symptoms

Coordinated evaluation with relevant departments can be planned when deemed necessary.

Multidisciplinary Approach

In the evaluation and follow-up of some neurological diseases, different specialties may need to work together.

According to need, the Neurology Department can maintain a coordinated evaluation process with:

• Cardiology

• Internal Medicine

• Neurosurgery

• Radiology

• Laboratory

• Relevant healthcare units requiring physical evaluation

• Dietitian

This multidisciplinary approach contributes to handling the patient’s general health status comprehensively.

MediHeart Medical Center Neurology Services

At MediHeart Medical Center Neurology Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Diker provides services regarding the evaluation and follow-up of nervous system diseases.

Within the scope of services, the following are offered:

• General neurological examination

• Evaluation of headache and migraine

• Evaluation of dizziness

• Evaluation of forgetfulness and memory

• Evaluation of Parkinson’s disease

• Evaluation of epilepsy

• Evaluation of peripheral nervous system diseases

• Post-stroke neurological follow-up

• Evaluation of tremor and movement disorders

• Evaluation of numbness and tingling complaints

The evaluation and follow-up process for each patient is planned individually after a detailed neurological examination.

Why MediHeart Medical Center?

Detailed examination, correct diagnostic approach, and regular follow-up are of great importance in evaluating neurological diseases.

Highlights of MediHeart Medical Center:

• Neurology services provided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Diker

• Personalized evaluation and follow-up plan

• Laboratory and radiology support

• Multidisciplinary healthcare approach

• Access to multiple specialties in the same center

• Central location in Guzelyurt

• Patient acceptance from all over TRNC, primarily Lefke, Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, and Iskele

• Application availability from across North Cyprus and Cyprus where appropriate

Frequently Asked Questions

Which diseases does Neurology treat?

Neurology deals with the evaluation of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and muscles. Headache, migraine, dizziness, forgetfulness, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, numbness, and movement disorders are among the evaluation topics of this field.

Can I visit Neurology for continuous headaches?

Yes. Recurring or long-lasting headaches may require neurological evaluation.

Is forgetfulness always a sign of a serious illness?

No. Forgetfulness can occur due to different reasons. Specialist evaluation is important to determine the underlying cause.

What causes numbness in hands and feet?

Numbness may be associated with nerve compressions, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, or different neurological causes. The exact cause is determined after physician evaluation.

Does dizziness always stem from a neurological disease?

No. Dizziness can develop due to different health problems. When deemed necessary, evaluations can be performed together with relevant departments.

Can I book an appointment from different cities in TRNC?

Yes. MediHeart Medical Center offers Neurology services to patients applying from all regions of TRNC, primarily Guzelyurt, Lefke, Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, and Iskele.

Is it possible to apply from Cyprus?

Where appropriate, patients coming from different regions of Cyprus can also apply to our center.

Conclusion

Neurology is an important medical specialty concerned with the evaluation, diagnostic process, and long-term follow-up of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and muscles. Early evaluation of headache, dizziness, forgetfulness, numbness, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological complaints can contribute to creating an appropriate follow-up plan.

At MediHeart Medical Center Neurology Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Diker provides services regarding the evaluation and follow-up of neurological diseases. Our center offers comprehensive neurology services to patients applying from Guzelyurt in particular, as well as Lefke, Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, Iskele, and different regions of TRNC.