Neurology in Istanbul

Neurology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex and sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates our body activities. It is divided into two major parts:

• The central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord
• The peripheral nervous system: all nerves branching out from the brain and spinal cord, and extend to other parts of the body, including organs and muscles.

Since the nervous system is complex, there are numerous subspecialties within the field of neurology, including:

• Neurodevelopmental disabilities
• Pediatric or child neurology
• Neuromuscular medicine
• Pain medicine
• Hospice and palliative care neurology
• Headache medicine
• Vascular Neurology (stroke care)
• Sleep medicine
• Autonomic disorders
• Brain injury medicine
• Neuropsychiatry
• Epilepsy
• Neurointensive care

A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system is called a neurologist. Symptoms that often require a neurologist help may include coordination problems, muscle weakness, confusion, dizziness, and a change in sensation. People who are having problems with their senses, such as vision, touch, or smell, may also require to see a neurologist since problems with senses are sometimes caused by disorders of the nervous system.

A neurologist may also treat patients with:

• Stroke
• Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
• Migraines and headaches
• Brain aneurysms
• Brain tumors
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Infections of the nervous systems, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscesses
• Neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis
• Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Sleep disorders
• Spinal cord disorders, such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders
• Speech and language disorders

Keep in mind that neurologist does not perform surgery. If you need surgery, you will be referred to a neurosurgeon.

What does Neurology Involve?

A wide variety of different tests and procedures are used to diagnose and treat neurological conditions. On your first appointment with a neurologist, a physical and neurological exam is likely to be performed. A neurological exam is done to test muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes.

Because different diseases can have similar symptoms, more than one testing may be required for your neurologist to make a diagnosis.

Some of the procedures that fall into the field of neurology may include:

Electromyography

Electromyography (EMG) is used to measure how well your muscles react to electrical stimulation from motor neurons, which are specific nerves controlling muscle movement. It can help neurologists diagnose general muscle or nerve dysfunction, as well as spinal cord disease.

During an EMG, small needles called electrodes are inserted into the muscle by a specially trained technician. The electrodes can measure the different electrical activity occurring in muscle tissue during periods of movement and rest.

Electroencephalogram

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is performed to assess and record electrical activity in your brain. Neurons in our brain communicate with other neurons through electrical impulses, which an EEG can record. Brain wave patterns can also be tracked by an EEG. It is used to help diagnose conditions of the brain, including tumors, inflammation, injuries, as well as psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and seizures.

During an EEG, electrodes are placed on your head. The electrodes are connected to a computer, which converts electrical signals into patterns that can be seen from a screen or printed on a piece of paper.

Lumbar puncture

Lumbar puncture is done to test your spinal fluid. It involves inserting a needle into your spine after numbing it with an anesthetic. Using the needle, a sample of your spinal fluid is taken.

A lumbar puncture can help diagnose the following conditions:

• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• Leukemia
• Myelitis
• Dementia
• Autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Bleeding in the brain

The procedure can also be used to treat conditions affecting the spinal cord. Your neurologist may inject anesthetics, cancer treatments, or antibiotics using a lumbar puncture needle.

Tensilon test

To help diagnose myasthenia gravis, your neurologist may perform a tensilon test. It involves the injection of a medicine called Tensilon. Then, your neurologist observes how medicine affects your muscle movements.

Sleep study

Chronic sleep problems are diagnosed in a Sleep Study. Also known as a Polysomnogram (PSG), this procedure involves monitoring patients during sleep and physiological data is recorded electronically.

Other tests

Other types of tests may be used by your neurologist to make a diagnosis. These may include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan)
• Computed tomography (CT scan)
• Positron emission tomography (PET scan)
• Biopsy
• Genetic testing
• Angiography

Botox injections

Botox injections can be done to treat some neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, that can cause your limbs to pull in toward your center. Sometimes, these contracted muscles can be relaxed with Botox injections.

Botox injections involve injecting tiny amounts of botulinum toxin into your skin of muscles using a thin needle.

Brain tumor treatment

A range of treatments can be done to treat a brain tumor. If your neurologist believes that you need surgery, you will be referred to a neurosurgeon who will remove as much of the brain tumor as possible through surgery.

A brain tumor may also be treated with radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams to kill tumor cells.

Brain tumor treatment may be integrated between the departments of neurology and oncology.

Brain rehabilitation therapy

Brain rehabilitation therapy is used to help you relearn functions that are lost as a result of a brain injury. Brain rehabilitation therapy is usually integrated between specialty teams in the departments of neurology, sports medicine, psychiatry and psychology, neuroradiology, and the vestibular/balance laboratory.

Deep brain stimulation

During deep brain stimulation, electrodes are implanted within certain areas of the brain. The electrodes generate electrical impulses that can regulate abnormal impulses. These electrical impulses may also affect certain chemicals and cells within the brain.

Deep brain stimulation can be done to treat numerous conditions, including dystonia, essential tremor, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. It is also being studied as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis and stroke recovery.

Spinal stenosis treatment

Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs when the spinal canal narrows and pinches the nerves, leading to back and leg pain. Spinal stenosis may be treated with pain medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, decompression procedure, or surgery. Surgery is usually performed if other treatments have not helped.

How Long Should I Stay in Istanbul?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you have, you may be allowed to leave the hospital on the same day or you will stay for several days. For diagnostic procedures, you should be allowed to leave the hospital on the same day. However, you should wait until the results of the test are ready before you can fly home, which may take as long as 7 days, sometimes even longer. If you undergo brain tumor treatments or other types of treatment, especially treatments that involve surgical intervention, you should aim to stay in Istanbul at least for 10 days.

What's the Recovery Time?

The recovery time can be different for each procedure. It may also depend on the reason why you are having the procedure and your overall health. Your neurologist and neurosurgeon will give you a recovery timeline for each procedure. The recovery period for diagnostic procedures is typically short and you may be able to resume your normal activities within a week or so. For surgical procedures, you may need to wait 4 weeks or months until you can go back to your daily routine, including work and exercise.

What About Aftercare?

A detailed aftercare instruction will be given to you following your procedure. While the instructions will be different for each procedure, they typically include a diet plan, exercise, restrictions, and wound care (if any surgical intervention is involved). You should follow these instructions carefully in order to have a speedy and smooth recovery.

You may also need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your overall condition and healing. For brain tumors, you may need to attend regular checkups to ensure the tumor has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of neurology is constantly advancing. The success rate of each procedure is typically high, particularly when performed by highly skilled and experienced medical professionals. Still, some procedures may carry some risks, such as bleeding, infection, and nerve injury.

Are there Alternatives to Neurology?

Since neurology is the branch of medicine to diagnose and treat problems of the nervous system, there are no other alternatives. However, if your doctor found that your disease or illness is found to be caused by other problems unrelated to the nervous system, your doctor will recommend you to see the relevant doctor.

Neurology in and around Istanbul

About Istanbul

Turkey has the unique distinction of being situated on two continents. You can see the influence of both the Asian and European cultures. Istanbul is the most populous city in this beautiful country and is the historical and financial center of Turkey.

Istanbul overlooks the Bosporus strait, a water body that separates Asia and Europe. Millions of travelers visit every year making it one of the world’s most popular destinations. You can visit UNESCO world heritage sites, old architectural monuments, and also experience the cultural heritage.

Istanbul consists of popular shopping malls. Spread over a huge area, the Grand Market is the first mall in the world that has a covered market style. The city is also famous for seafood restaurants and hotels serving Ottoman cuisine. Istanbul also offers a very active nightlife with many wine houses lining the streets. It also hosts many cultural and music festivals. Some of the renowned museums and monuments add to the list of attractions for tourists.

A recent study reveals that the city is becoming a well-known location for extraordinary healthcare facilities. People from all over Europe, Asia, and other countries come to Istanbul for surgical and non-invasive procedures. It has the advantage of providing an excellent medical system and housing well-qualified doctors as strict medical protocols regulate the industry.

Another interesting fact is that clinics here have affiliations with world-renowned hospitals of the USA and Europe. People come here for different types of surgical procedures. Some of the more common types are Rhinoplasty and breast augmentation procedures.

The medical techniques used here is comparable to any other world-class facility. At the same time, the medical procedures cost only a fraction of the price of developed countries like the UK and the USA. You can come here for any medical treatment and combine it with a relaxing vacation.

There are many excellent Hospitals in Istanbul such as the Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Medipol Mega University Hospital, and Medicana International Istanbul Hospital.

Popular Areas in Istanbul

Istanbul is divided into 39 districts which all comprise multiple areas and neighborhoods.

• Sultanahmet is the most popular area for tourism in Istanbul as it holds the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the movie-famous Basilica Cistern. You can stay here but it's a little more expensive in this area for shopping and food.

• Beyoglu is the best area to stay in and ensure that you are close to Istiklal Street, Taksim Square, and Galata Tower. In these areas, you will be in the heart of the city’s never-ending hustle and bustle while feeling like a local. The food and nightlife are excellent here, and the areas are picturesque and beautiful.

• Sisli is one of the high-end business areas in Istanbul and much quieter than Taksim or Sultanahmet.

Weather and Climate in Istanbul

Istanbul experiences hot summers and cold winters with snow being a common feature. Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to late November), are the best times to visit Istanbul when temperatures are cooler.

Getting around in Istanbul

Istanbul has three international airports. The oldest is Atatürk, which was the third busiest airport in Europe. The airport is now closed for commercial aircraft and is open only for cargo, business, and government flights. The new airport, the Istanbul Airport, caters to most of the travelers coming from other countries. Turkish Airlines and other major world airlines connect the City to other big cities in Asia, Europe, and other countries. The third airport, İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen, operates some international flights, but It usually operates more domestic flights.

Istanbul has a vast network of trains, trams, buses, and ferries. These connect all the different parts of the City. In fact, the City has one of the largest ferry services across the Bosporus and the Black Sea. There is an integrated card-less trip enabled system across the city in different modes of transport.

Tourist Visas in Istanbul

Citizens from other countries in the European Union can visit Turkey with their national ID card and do not need a visa. You can find out if you need a visa to visit Turkey from the official website of the Turkish ministry of foreign affairs.

The country has an easy system of e-visa to help travelers from other countries. Citizens from countries like the US, UK, Australia, and others can also obtain a visa on arrival. People from most countries in Asia need an e-visa.

The pre-conditions to obtaining a visa are that your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and for 60 days longer. The visa issued for visit and trade purposes is valid for 90 days. For longer durations and for medical reasons, you will have to apply to the consulate to get a long-term visa. E-visa fees and visas on arrival are not expensive and you can pay using your credit card.

Additional Information

1. The Local Currency is Turkish Lira or TL. The currency code is TRY. Shopkeepers do not mind taking Euros if you run out of the local currency. The exchange rate fluctuates and depends on political turbulence. Even then it is very inexpensive to live here. The usual exchange rate against the US Dollar may range between 4.0 TRY to 5.5 TRY per Dollar.
2. You can use credit cards in all big places such as hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, you must carry a minimum amount of cash to be on the safe side. Taxis, transport, and small shops may not accept card payments. Cash payment may also get you some lucrative discounts in certain places. ATMs are safe and you can withdraw the local currency from one.
3. It is customary to tip at least 5 to 10 % of the bill amount in most places. The staff prefers local currency only.
4. Turkish is the official and the most common language spoken. In most hospitals and tourist places, people speak decent English. In fact, people here are fluent in English and other European languages.
5. Turkey has been influenced by all of the major religions including Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Yet most follow Islam.
6. Culturally, Istanbul is a diverse country. People celebrate religious and national festivals with a lot of enthusiasm. January 1 New Year’s Day, April 23 National Sovereignty & Children's Day, May 1 Labor & Solidarity Day, and August 30 Victory Day are some of the national holidays here. Apart from this, the Ramadan feast is a significant festival. Dates, however, change every year due to the differences in the religious calendar.