Nerve Disease

Nerve Disease services offered in Medical District, Las Vegas, NV

Nerves pass information to your brain and carry out the brain’s instructions, so if they stop working, it can have multiple adverse effects. If you have problems caused by dysfunctional nerves, contact Las Vegas Neurology Center, conveniently located in the Medical District of Las Vegas, Nevada. The practice’s board-certified neurologists help you manage your nerve disease, reducing symptoms, slowing down the condition’s progression, and improving your overall quality of life. Patients may also be able to participate in clinical trials to test new treatments. Call Las Vegas Neurology Center or request an appointment online today.

Nerve Disease Q&A

What are nerve diseases?

Nerve diseases affect the way your nerves function. Las Vegas Neurology Center treats all forms of nerve disease and specializes in neuromuscular disorders. These affect the nerves controlling voluntary muscles and communicating sensory information to your brain.

Nerve cells (neurons) transmit and receive these messages. If neurons are unhealthy or damaged, or they die, communication between your brain and muscles breaks down. The result is atrophy — weakened, wasted muscles.

What symptoms might I experience with a nerve disease?

Nerve and neuromuscular disease symptoms include:

Muscle weakness
Twitching
Cramps
Aches and pains
Reduced muscle mass
Movement difficulties
Double vision
Trouble swallowing
Balance problems
Droopy eyelids
Breathing difficulties

Some conditions cause neuropathy — nerve dysfunction that typically results in pain and unpleasant sensations like numbness, tingling, prickling, or heat. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia are common examples.

You might also develop problems like allodynia, where a light touch feels painful, and hyperalgesia, where something that would typically cause mild discomfort feels very painful.

What nerve disease might affect me?

There are many kinds of nerve diseases. Some that the Las Vegas Neurology Center sees often include:

Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Myasthenia gravis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Myopathy
Myositis
Spinal muscular atrophy

Some nerve diseases are genetic; autoimmune disorders cause others. Sometimes, it’s not clear what’s causing nerve problems.

How are nerve diseases diagnosed and treated?

To determine which nerve disease you have, your Las Vegas Neurology Center provider performs a physical exam and medical history review. They check your reflexes, muscle strength, and other indicators, and may order diagnostic tests. These could include:

Blood tests

Blood tests can identify nerve disease indicators like raised enzyme levels.

Brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRIs produce highly detailed cross-sectional images of your brain and nerves.

Lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture or spinal tap draws off cerebrospinal fluid so that the lab can check for abnormalities.

Electromyography (EMG)

EMG records electrical activity in specific muscles.

Nerve conduction studies (NCS)

NCS evaluates the signals traveling from your nerves to your muscles

Evoked potentials

Evoked potentials test your brain’s ability to sense touch, light, and sound.

Muscle biopsy

Muscle biopsies are small muscle tissue samples a pathologist examines under a microscope.

Genetic testing

Genetic testing can identify genetic mutations.

Neuromuscular disorders are usually incurable, but you can benefit from Las Vegas Neurology Center’s comprehensive treatment. This might include physical and occupational therapy, pain management, and medication.

Call Las Vegas Neurology Center for expert nerve disease diagnosis and treatment, or schedule a consultation online today.