What a neurologist exam covers
Neurology deals with diseases of the nervous system — the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. The nervous system controls almost everything: movement, balance, sensation, memory and many bodily functions, so its problems appear in various ways — from headache and vertigo, to numbness, weakness or memory problems. A neurologist is a doctor who recognises these symptoms, distinguishes harmless from serious conditions and guides you toward the right treatment.
At Medical Time the exam begins with a conversation, because with neurological symptoms it is exactly the details that lead to a diagnosis. The neurologist carefully asks when the symptom began, what it is like, how long it lasts, what makes it worse or better and whether it is accompanied by other signs. For example, with a headache the type of pain, location, frequency and accompanying symptoms are important, because that is how migraine is distinguished from other causes.
A neurological examination follows — a series of simple, painless tests by which the neurologist assesses the strength and tone of the muscles, reflexes, sensation (touch, pain), balance, gait, coordination, the work of the cranial nerves and, if needed, attention and memory. These tests give a great deal of information and often guide the diagnosis on their own.
Based on the conversation and exam, the neurologist makes a diagnosis or suggests targeted additional diagnostics — for example imaging of the brain or spine (CT or MRI), imaging of the nerves and muscles (EMNG), EEG or laboratory tests. The goal is to establish the exact cause of the symptoms and make a clear treatment plan, instead of just easing the symptoms without an explanation.
When to see a neurologist
You see a neurologist when you have symptoms that come from the nervous system — persistent headaches, vertigo, disorders of sensation or movement, or changes in memory and concentration. Some of these symptoms are common and harmless but worth checking, while others require a quick assessment — so the exam is important to separate one from the other and to begin the right treatment in time.
The most common reasons for a neurologist exam are:
- frequent or severe headaches and migraines that interfere with everyday life
- vertigo, unsteadiness when walking and a disorder of balance
- numbness, tingling or pins and needles in the arms, legs or face
- weakness of the limbs, difficulty gripping or dropping objects
- trembling (tremor), stiffness or slowness of movement
- problems with memory, concentration and forgetfulness that is getting worse
- pain in the neck or lower back that spreads into an arm or leg (sciatica, cervical syndrome)
- cramps, twitches, loss of consciousness or epileptic seizures
- sleep disorders, as well as numbness or pain that wakes you at night
Signs that require an urgent assessment
Some symptoms cannot wait. If they occur suddenly, seek help urgently — from the fastest available emergency service:
- sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, the face, an arm or a leg
- a sudden disorder of speech, understanding or swallowing
- a sudden, worst-ever headache or a sudden loss of vision
- a sudden loss of balance, a fall or loss of consciousness
What the exam looks like — the process
A neurologist exam is painless and non-invasive, and usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. It requires no special preparation, but it is very useful to think about your symptoms in advance and, if you can, keep brief notes — for example when the headaches occur, how long they last and what triggers them.
After a detailed conversation, the neurologist carries out a neurological examination through a series of simple tests. Muscle strength is checked (for example the grip of the hand, lifting the limbs), reflexes (with a light tap of a hammer on the tendons), sensation to touch and prick, balance and gait, coordination of movement, as well as the work of the cranial nerves — eye movements, facial expression, swallowing. If needed, attention and memory are assessed with short tasks. All the tests are painless and safe.
Based on the findings, the neurologist explains what the most likely cause of the symptoms is. For many conditions, such as tension headaches or migraine, the diagnosis is made already on the basis of the conversation and exam. When additional investigation is needed, the neurologist targets exactly the method that is required — imaging of the brain or spine, EMNG, EEG or laboratory — so that unnecessary tests are not done.
At the end you get a clear explanation and a treatment plan: therapy, advice on lifestyle and habits that affect the symptoms (sleep, stress, fluid intake, screen use, neck position), and an arrangement for a follow-up. With migraine, for example, the plan includes both stopping an attack and, if needed, therapy to reduce its frequency.
What to bring to the exam
So the exam can be as complete as possible, it helps to bring documentation about your health so far and everything related to your symptoms. With neurological exams, good preparation and an accurate description of the symptoms help a lot.
We recommend that you bring:
- earlier findings and discharge letters, especially neurological ones
- results of brain or spine imaging (CT scan, MRI), the scans themselves and the findings
- results of earlier investigations (EMNG, EEG) if you have them
- current laboratory findings
- a list of the medications you take, including painkillers and blood-thinning therapy
- notes on the symptoms — when they occur, how long they last and what makes them worse or better
- details of chronic conditions and a family history of neurological disease
When you receive the report
You receive the report of the neurological exam and recommendations immediately, at the exam itself. The neurologist explains the conclusion verbally and hands you a written report with a diagnosis or working diagnosis, therapy and a plan for next steps.
If additional diagnostics are recommended — imaging, EMNG, EEG or laboratory — you get a clear list and appointments, and the results are interpreted at the follow-up, when the treatment plan is finalised or adjusted. All documentation and scans are kept digitally, so each subsequent exam is compared with the previous one and it is tracked how the condition changes with therapy.
Why have a neurologist exam at Medical Time
At Medical Time the neurological exam, diagnostics and treatment are available in one place, with an experienced team and an individual approach. Our goal is that after the exam you know exactly what the cause of your symptoms is and that you get a clear, workable plan — without unnecessary tests and without delay.
- experienced neurologists and a thorough, dedicated exam
- precisely targeted diagnostics, without unnecessary tests
- a clear explanation of the cause of the symptoms, in understandable language
- a treatment plan for headaches, migraine, vertigo and other symptoms tailored to you
- imaging and specialist consultations in one place
- quick booking, without long waiting and possible without a referral
- the report and recommendations the same day, with digital storage of documentation
Price
The price of a neurologist exam depends on whether it is an initial exam, a follow-up or a consultation, as well as on whether additional diagnostics are recommended. See the prices of all our doctor exams in the price list, and for an exact quote and an appointment call us.
- Initial neurologist exam
- Follow-up neurologist exam
- Neurologist consultation
To book an appointment, call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about the neurologist exam
See one for frequent or severe headaches and migraine, vertigo, numbness and tingling, weakness of the limbs, tremor, memory problems or pain that spreads from the neck or lower back into an arm or leg. In cases of sudden weakness on one side of the body, a disorder of speech or the worst-ever headache — seek help urgently.
No. The exam is painless and non-invasive — it consists of a conversation and a series of simple tests that assess strength, reflexes, sensation, balance and coordination. None of it causes pain.
Not necessarily. For many symptoms, such as tension headaches or migraine, the diagnosis is made already on the basis of the conversation and exam. Imaging is recommended only when it is truly needed, precisely targeted, so that unnecessary tests are not done.
Maybe. Migraine has recognisable features — severe, often one-sided throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, sometimes nausea. Based on the description and exam the neurologist distinguishes migraine from other causes of headache and makes a plan to stop attacks and reduce their frequency.
Bring earlier neurological findings, brain or spine scans and findings if you have them, results of EMNG or EEG, current laboratory results, a list of medications and notes on the symptoms — when they occur, how long they last and what makes them worse.
No. At Medical Time you can book a neurologist exam without a referral as well, usually quickly and without long waiting.
You receive the report of the neurological exam and recommendations right away, at the exam itself. If additional diagnostics are recommended, those results are interpreted at the follow-up, when the treatment plan is finalised or adjusted.