Geriatrics for Patients – Aged Care Physicians

For patients over the age of 65 that would like to schedule an appointment with our geriatrician, please call (03) 9791 1599 during our normal business hours. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment online. If this is your first appointment with us, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment to complete a patient information form.

What to Bring

Upon arrival at our clinic please bring the following:

• Medicare Card
• Physician referral form (from your primary physician is required for all new patients)
• Pension/Health Care Card (if applicable)
• Veterans Affairs Gold Card (if applicable)
• Patient Information form (may be completed online or upon arrival*)

*If this is your first appointment, please arrive at least 30 minutes early to complete our patient information form. Click here for more information and to complete it online

Neuropsychology for Patients

Our neuropsychologist will handle all assessments and treatment for our neuropsychology patients and communicate those results with your referring physician. If you haven’t done so already, you may call us on (03) 9791 1599 or schedule your neuropsychology appointment online with our neuropsychologist.

What to Bring

Upon arrival at our clinic please bring the following:

• Medicare Card
• Physician referral form (from your primary physician is required for all new patients)
• Pension/Health Care Card (if applicable)
• Veterans Affairs Gold Card (if applicable)
• Patient Information form (may be completed online or upon arrival*)

*If this is your first appointment, please arrive at least 30 minutes early to complete our patient information form. Click here for more information and to complete it online.

Preparing for your Neuropsychological Assessment

Your neuropsychological assessment may last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. We recommend that you get a good night’s sleep the day before your appointment. On the day of your appointment, you should eat a well-balanced meal. The neurological assessment is an interactive process that uses quizzes, games and other activities to measure your skills. We work at your own pace with scheduled breaks and complimentary beverages in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Click here for more details about the assessment.

Ayurveda and Neurological Diseases Patient Education

AYURVEDA – The science of LONG LIFE

This is a complete and integrated system of natural health care which looks after the mental, physical and emotional sides of life. Ayurveda medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India, which uses a range of treatments, including Panchakarma (‘five actions’), yoga, massage and herbal medicine, to encourage health and wellbeing. The aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to create such a state of balance or health that the individual experiences permanent and profound harmony in body, mind and senses.

Ayurvedic medicine removes the root causes of diseases without any side effects. By practicing Ayurvedic medicine and yoga, we can prevent diseases such as Insomnia, psychiatric diseases, autoimmune diseases, hearts disease, stroke, many cancers, asthma, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney diseases, arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s diseases, Parkinson’s diseases, hair loss, infertility and more. In other words, we can say Ayurvedic medicine is the best preventive Medicine.

Ayurveda considers neurological disorders to be the result of a Vata disorder. The vitiation of Vata dosha causes an imbalance and disharmony in the human system that leads to neurological disorders. Ayurvedic treatments for neurological disorders will aim to rectify this Vata imbalance and bring the Vata dosha in harmony with pita and Kapha dosha so as to eliminate every type of disease in an individual.

Our Ayurvedic physician treats a few of the neurological diseases that are more common, including Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, Migraine and Headache, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Paralysis and Sleep Disorders. It is also helpful in chronic pain syndromes.

Also, Ayurveda can help in some movement disorders such as Restless Leg Syndrome, Ataxia, and tremors.

Ayurvedic treatments involve Ayurvedic massage, Panchakarma treatment, Shirodhara, Sirovasti, Vasti treatment, Virechan treatment, Vamanam treatment, Indian head massage and herbal steam.

Parkinson’s Disease

Ayurvedic treatments for Parkinson’s disease centers on rectifying and balancing the vitiated Vata so that all the three doshas work in perfect harmony in the human body. Ayurveda considers Parkinson’s disease to be the result of vitiated Vata. It is Vata that controls the overall level of balances and activation of the nervous system in an individual. Ayurvedic treatments for Parkinson’s disease will be done after a complete analysis of the patient, time of onset, physical condition, history of the previous disease in the family etc. Ayurvedic therapies will consist of Panchakarma treatments and internal medicines. Vasti, Shirodhara, Ayurvedic massages and Sirovasti have been found to be effective in arresting the disease and aiding in the recovery process.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Ayurveda considers Vata imbalance to be the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Vata imbalances are common in elderly individuals. Ayurveda treatment for Alzheimer’s disease concentrates on rectifying and restoring the Vata imbalance with treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that include medicines to prevent degeneration and strengthening of the brain. Panchakarma treatments, Rasayana therapies and diet regulations are all part of the recommended Ayurveda treatment. Ayurveda therapies like Thalam, Shirodhara and Siro Vasti are also commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s patients. Brahmi and Ashwagandha are the two main herbs used in the treatment of this disease.

Paralysis

Ayurveda terms paralysis as Pakshavada, a disorder caused by the vitiation of Vata Dosha. Ayurvedic treatments for paralysis will aim to rectify the vitiated vata dosha. In the ayurveda system of medicine, Vata is responsible for the proper coordination of all voluntary movements in the human body. A constraint in the proper movement of vata can cause paralysis in a person.

Internal medicines are prescribed in addition to purification therapies like Vasti, Abhyangam, Kizhi, Sirodhara, Thalam and Njavara Kizhi to bring the patient back to normalcy after the removal of toxins. The purification process will be undertaken only after a complete diagnosis of the patient: the condition of the patient, duration of disease and whether actual cause of the disease is a hemorrhage, emboli or ischemia. Specific exercises will be helpful in some patients. Yoga and meditation is found to be very effective and is also part of the ayurveda treatment for paralysis.

Epilepsy

Ayurvedic treatment for epilepsy includes Panchakarma treatments (purification treatments) and internal medicines like kashayams, lehyams and choornams. Therapies like Siro Pichu (oleation of the cerebral sutures), Thalam (retaining medicated oil on the head), Sirodhara (pouring of medicated oil over head), yoga and meditation are also helpful.

Migraine

Ayurvedic treatments for a migraine will aim to rectify the pitta imbalance to bring it back in harmony with vata and kapha dosha. Migraine treatments may also include panchakarma treatments to remove toxins and purify the system. After administering of panchakarma treatments patients are given pitta pacifying oral medicines including kashayams and lehyams choornams. Patients undergoing Ayurvedic migraine treatments need to follow a strict diet regimen during the period of the treatment and are encouraged to take up yoga and meditation.

Multiple Sclerosis

The Ayurvedic treatment for multiple sclerosis is specifically aimed at treating the basic pathology of the disease, reducing the number of attacks, improving recovery from attacks, halting or slowing down the progression of the disease and treating immune dysfunction. As multiple sclerosis is due to vata and pitta excess, all ayurvedic treatments will aim at bringing back to normalcy the vata and Pitta dosha.

The treatment will include internal medicines for suppressing immune reactions in the brain and later for correcting disabilities. Treatment varies with each patient and no two individuals may be offered the same treatment. The major aspects of an ayurvedic treatment for MS include proper diet, healing supplements, yoga and ayurvedic therapies that nourish and empower the nervous system. The efficacy of ayurvedic treatments in helping to recover from disabilities and diseases and in the supportive aspect is unmatched.

Sleep Disorders

Ayurvedic Treatment for sleep disorders are based on the actual cause of the condition. Ayurveda treatments for sleep disorders are designed to balance the vata dosha and harmonise it with the other doshas in the patient’s system. Panchakarma therapies, rasayana therapies, yoga and meditation along with life style changes including diet all form the basis of an Ayurveda treatment for sleep disorders. Panchakarma therapies are generally Siro Pichu, Thalam, Indian head massage, Siro Vastia and Sirodhara. Internal medicines may also be prescribed.

Ayurvedic Medicine

There are a variety of Ayurvedic medicines such as Brahmi, Sanku Puspi, Mandukparni, Jatamansi, Vacha, Ashwagandha, Shilajeet, Sarpagandha, Guduchi and Yastimadhu which are used in the treatment depending upon the patient’s condition, disease or disorder. Ayurvedic medicine can be used in the form of single herbs or in compound formulations. These are in the form of tablets, syrups (aristam), lehyams, kashyam (decoctions), ghritam, guggulu preparations and different types of oils which are useful in the Ayurvedic treatment. All the herbal Ayurvedic medicines used are TGA approved.

EEG

For patients that need to schedule an appointment for an EEG Test, please call (03) 9791 1599 during our normal business hours. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment online. If this is your first appointment with us, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment to complete a patient information form.

What to Bring

Unless otherwise specified, please bring the following to your appointment:

• Medicare Card
• Pension/Veterans Affairs Card (if applicable)
• List any medicines you are taking
• List any problems and/or difficulties you are experiencing
• Please ensure that your hair and scalp are clean on the day of your appointment

How long will it take?

Please allow at least 30 minutes for your routine EEG test and at least 45 minutes for sleep deprived EEG.

Nerve Conduction Studies – EMG

For patients that need to schedule an appointment for Nerve Conduction Study and EMG Test, please call (3) 9791 1599 during our normal business hours. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment online. If this is your first appointment with us, please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your appointment to complete a patient information form.

Please don’t apply any cream/lotion on the part needed to be tested.

What to Bring

Unless otherwise specified, please bring the following to your appointment:

• Medicare Card
• Pension/Veterans Affairs Card (if applicable)
• List any medicines you are taking
• List any problems and/or difficulties you are experiencing

How long will it take?

Please allow at least 30-45 minutes for your Nerve Conduction Study & EMG test. If necessary, your neurologist will order additional lab tests, x-rays and/or scans to confirm diagnosis and monitor follow-up treatments.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders range from mild pain like a pinched nerve to more severe conditions like brain tumors which require urgent medical intervention. Discovering that one or more symptoms apply to you doesn’t necessarily indicate a presence of a neurological disorder. However, you should consult with your primary physician at your earliest convenience to rule out any underlying problems. Your physician may refer you to one of our neurologists for further tests.

Typical symptoms which may indicate a neurological disorder include:

Headaches

Although most headaches are brought on by stress, cold, or fever and generally do not pose a health risk, it may be the first indication of an underlying neurological problem. If a headache occurs frequently in an individual who does not have a history of migraines, it may indicate something more serious, like internal bleeding in the brain or a rise of pressure in the skull. These conditions are potentially life-threatening and immediate medical attention is necessary.

Neck and Back Pain

We also help many people that suffer from chronic pain in the back or neck as this can be associated with other neurological disorders like weakness, numbness and loss of bladder control. Sudden weakness or numbness of a particular area or group of muscles, especially if it affects only one side of the body, can be a sign of a serious problem like stroke and requires immediate neurological attention.

Weakness or Paralysis

Sudden onset of weakness especially if involving one side of the body could be due to Stroke. The acute weakness which is progressing in days could be due to spinal cord problem or a brain tumor. Multiple Sclerosis can also lead to a progressive weakness. Sometimes a weakness could be associated with fever, altered sensorium, headache or neck pain. This warrant to rule out any brain infection. Slowly progressive weakness over months is usually due to a nerve or a muscle disorder which might need nerve conduction test or EMG. In any case, an urgent consult with a neurologist is sought.

Numbing and tingling sensations

Numbness and tingling can be caused by a number of medical problems. However, if numbness or tingling occurs suddenly, affects only one side or occurs in conjunction with weakness, the underlying cause may be neurological, such as a stroke. If the numbness worsens over time, it may indicate peripheral nerve disease especially if it is in “glove and stocking ” distribution.

Dizziness and Vertigo

Dizziness is another common symptom of an underlying neurological disorder. Nevertheless, there can be many other causes of dizziness and only when the dizziness is severe enough to be vertigo or disorientation does it require neurological consultation. Vertigo is generally caused by infection of the inner ear or fluid fluctuation in the inner ear. However, it could also be a sign of posterior fossa lesion, especially when it accompanies other sign and symptoms.

Seizures

Seizures are generally associated with epilepsy, but all seizures do not stem from neurological disorders. Some may be caused by conditions like low blood sugar or alcohol withdrawal, and in such cases, the underlying cause needs to be addressed. However, if a seizure occurs without any known cause, you should seek an opinion from a neurologist as soon as possible.

Bladder Control

A number of neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsonism and spinal cord injury can cause loss of bladder control. However, there are a number of therapies that may help to alleviate the problem and can be discussed with your neurologist.

If you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, we suggest you contact your primary physician or schedule a neurological consultation with one of our neurologists at your earliest convenience.

Useful Links

Important Mental Health Links: