Patient Resources
Questions Patients Ask
Straightforward answers to the questions that come up most often before a neurology visit. These pages are educational and do not replace an evaluation.
Common questions
When should memory loss be evaluated?
Memory loss should be evaluated when it is getting worse over time, when family members notice it, or when it interferes with everyday tasks such as medications, finances, appointments, or driving. Earlier evaluation makes it easier to identify treatable causes.
Read answer →What happens during a dementia evaluation?
A dementia evaluation combines a detailed history, a neurological examination, cognitive testing, laboratory studies, and brain imaging when appropriate. The goal is to determine whether cognition has measurably changed, identify the most likely cause, and find anything that can be treated.
Read answer →Can a neurologist diagnose Alzheimer's disease?
Yes. A neurologist diagnoses Alzheimer's disease by combining the history, a neurological examination, cognitive testing, laboratory studies, and brain imaging, with biomarker testing added when it is clinically appropriate.
Read answer →When should I see a neurologist for back pain?
See a neurologist when back pain is accompanied by pain traveling into a leg, numbness, tingling, or weakness, or when pain persists despite treatment. Those features suggest that a nerve or nerve root may be involved.
Read answer →Can carpal tunnel cause hand weakness?
Yes. When median nerve compression at the wrist is more advanced, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause weakness — most often affecting thumb strength and grip — along with numbness and loss of muscle bulk at the base of the thumb.
Read answer →What does an EMG test show?
EMG and nerve conduction studies measure how well nerves conduct signals and how muscles respond. Together they help determine whether a nerve is compressed or injured, where the problem is located, how severe it is, and whether it appears recent or long-standing.
Read answer →When should migraine be evaluated by a neurologist?
Migraine should be evaluated by a neurologist when headaches are frequent, when they are not adequately controlled, when the pattern changes, when acute medications are needed often, or when new neurological symptoms accompany the headaches.
Read answer →What happens after a first seizure?
After a first seizure, evaluation typically includes a detailed history from you and any witnesses, a neurological examination, laboratory studies, an EEG, and brain imaging. The goal is to determine whether it was a seizure, what may have provoked it, and what the risk of recurrence is.
Read answer →Can a workplace injury cause nerve damage?
Yes. Workplace injuries can affect nerves and nerve roots, producing numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness. Persistent symptoms after an injury deserve a neurological evaluation to characterize what is involved.
Read answer →Important notice
Please do not send urgent or emergency medical information by text. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention. Please avoid sending sensitive medical information by ordinary SMS unless instructed otherwise.
Request a Neurology Appointment
Text 815-276-7050 with your first name and the word "Memory," or call 815-337-7100 to schedule. Our office will follow up to confirm your evaluation.
In-person visits and televisits (telehealth) are both available.
What happens after you text
Text 815-276-7050 with your first name and a keyword. Our office calls you back to schedule — you do not need to fill out a form.
When you'll hear back
Texts and calls received during office hours are typically returned the same business day. You can also call 815-337-7100 directly.
Insurance and referrals
Insurance participation and referral requirements vary by plan. [Insurance details — placeholder]. Our office will confirm what your plan requires before your visit.
Please do not send urgent or emergency medical information by text. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention. Please avoid sending sensitive medical information by ordinary SMS unless instructed otherwise.