Neurology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of the nerves and the nervous system.
The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It has two major divisions:
- Central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral nervous system: all other neural elements, such as eyes, ears, skin, and other "sensory receptors"
Some of the conditions that neurologists may treat include:
- headache disorders
- seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
- movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
- neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, or Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS)
Neurologists do not perform surgery. If one of their patients requires surgery, they refer them to a neurosurgeon.