Neurological care
Neurological care is the practice of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and function of diseases relating to the nerves and nervous system. Neurologists and neurosurgeons treat disorders that affect the brain or spinal cord.
Neurologists in Richmond, Virginia
From epilepsy to nerve and muscle issues, we are here for you.
Your nervous system forms the foundation of an active lifestyle, so at Henrico Doctors' Hospital, our extensive neurological program is catered to your overall wellness. Conditions like stroke or brain tumors can be scary, but we want you to know that there are solutions.
Are you at risk of a stroke?
Identifying health factors can help prepare you for urgent medical conditions. Use our free online assessment to better understand your stroke risk.
Identifying health factors can help prepare you for urgent medical conditions. Use our free online assessment to better understand your stroke risk.
Neurological conditions we treat
Our neurology specialists are trained in advanced therapies and surgical techniques to treat a wide range of brain and spine care disorders, including:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Brain cancer and tumors
- Epilepsy
- Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
- Migraine and other headache disorders
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Nerve and muscle issues
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Vertigo
Neurology treatments and services
From oncology to neuroscience treatments, our experienced team of specialists provide a range of neurological treatments designed for your specific case.
Services we provide
From diagnosis through treatment and neurological rehabilitation, our primary objective is to get you feeling like yourself again. We collaborate across specialties to form the best treatment plan for your unique situation. These specialists include:
- Critical care doctors
- Epileptologists
- Neuro-endovascular surgeons
- Neurologists
- Neuroradiologists
- Neurosurgeons
- Pathologists
- Physical therapists
- Spine surgeons
- Radiologists
Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure that uses an implantable device, similar to a pacemaker, that sends electrical signals to the areas of the brain that are responsible for body movement. These electric pulses help regulate brain activity.
DBS is used to help reduce and treat symptoms that are caused by or related to movement disorders. DBS can be used to treat symptoms of dystonia, Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, including tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness and walking problems.
How DBS works
DBS is not a cure for movement disorders, but it can successfully treat the symptoms of movement disorders. This happens through the disruption of the abnormal patterns of brain activity that become prominent in these disorders. These constant pulses of electrical charges are delivered at settings thought to restore normal brain rhythms, allowing for the restoration of more normal movements.
Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) suite
To assist in the removal of brain tumors and deliver effective treatment for other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, we established our unique iMRI suite. iMRI technology creates real-time brain images for surgeons during a procedure, using a magnetic field and radio waves to not only confirm exact positioning of the brain as it shifts during surgery, but also help to distinguish abnormal brain tissue from normal brain tissue.
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital is one of only 20 hospitals in the nation to provide this leading edge surgical technology. Use of iMRI helps demonstrate our continued commitment to helping advance your neurological treatment.
Stroke care
Both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes occur when blood flow is cut off to an area of the brain. When this blood flow ceases, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. A stroke may cause loss of speech, movement and memory. As such, timely treatment is the most important factor in your recovery, should you experience a stroke. This is when knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can be helpful.
For ischemic stroke in particular, rapid administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is critical. tPA is a clot-busting drug used for blockages of arteries in the brain. The sooner it is administered, the more brain tissue is preserved. Telemedicine practices can lead to a faster administration of tPA, as neurological care professionals can view your head scans, prior reports and records in order to make an informed decision about care. Quick action with these services can result in improved outcomes in as little as six months.
Tumor care
Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital provides comprehensive, compassionate care for patients diagnosed with a variety of benign and malignant brain tumors. Our oncologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists work together to provide high-quality neurological care to patients undergoing treatment for brain cancer.
If you are undergoing brain cancer treatment at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, we provide:
- Access to clinical trials
- American Cancer Society Resource Center
- Dedicated neurosciences intensive care unit (neuro ICU)
- Collaboration from neurology and neurosurgery for expedited care
- Infusion services with chemotherapy-certified nurses
- Radiation therapy services
- Nurse navigation, upon request
- Psychosocial-spiritual support and distress assessment by oncology-dedicated social workers and chaplains
About Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute
As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.
askSARAH helpline
Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (804) 591-4152 or chat online at askSARAH.
Signs and symptoms of a stroke
Strokes come on fast and when that happens, appropriate action is necessary. Knowing the proper signs of a stroke can make a significant difference in the outcome.
What to watch for with a stroke
If you are concerned about whether you or a loved one may be having a stroke, be on the lookout for these symptoms:
- Confusion, trouble speaking or trouble understanding
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Severe headache with no known cause
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
When these symptoms come into play, you or a loved one needs to remember to act F.A.S.T.:
- Face — Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms — Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech — Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time — If you observe any of these signs, even if they've gone away, call 911 immediately. Take note of what time the symptoms appeared.