Neurosurgery 101
Whether you suffer from a spinal condition or you'd like to know more about neurosurgery, it's important to understand that this medical specialty has many different facets. The most common conditions neurosurgeons treat involve back and neck pain, sciatica, and degenerative spinal disease. But, neurosurgeons also diagnose and treat brain tumors and symptoms of the central nervous system. Here are some tips to help you make the most informed decision.
Before starting a career in neurosurgery, aspiring surgeons should get into a medical school. The MBBS qualification takes four to six years, depending on which route you take. After completing medical school, newly qualified physicians must complete a period of foundation training (paid, but compulsory) that includes training in many different medical specialties. Junior doctors then apply for the neurosurgical specialty track. Neurosurgery is one of the most competitive medical specialties but well paying.
Another sub-branch of neurosurgery is neuro-oncology, which is the treatment of cancers of the nervous system. While chemotherapy and radiation therapy can shrink a brain tumor, neurosurgeons may also perform surgery to remove it. Often, neurosurgeons choose the most appropriate treatment method based on a number of factors, including the size and location of the tumor. If the procedure proves to be the best option, the treatment is more likely to be successful.
As a neurosurgeon, you'll be trained to perform a variety of surgeries on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Surgical procedures on these areas improve health, save lives, and restore function to patients. The nervous system is comprised of several major parts - the brain and spinal cord - which uses electrical signals to control our actions. Neurosurgeons have extensive knowledge and experience in identifying and treating the different conditions of the brain and central nervous system.
Neurological surgery is a medical specialty devoted to addressing disorders of the nervous system in adults and children. They treat disorders of the brain, meninges, and skull, as well as problems that affect the blood supply and the activity of the spinal cord. They also perform nonoperative treatment for pain. Moreover, neurosurgery is a critical area of medicine, with many complex problems being treated. The goal is to eliminate pain and restore function.
Neurosurgeons at Mayo Clinic specialize in treating patients with complex neurological conditions, including brain tumors. They perform over 9,000 surgeries a year. Their work keeps them at the forefront of neurosurgical treatments. Neurologists at the Mayo Clinic also collaborate with specialists in other fields, such as neuropathologists and neuropsychologists. And they offer a range of other services to help their patients recover quickly from neurosurgery. This comprehensive approach is the hallmark of Mayo Clinic's success.
An alternative post for more info on the topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_neurology_and_neurosurgery.