Spec. Dr. Nıshana Zakharova

Who is Specialist Dr. Nishana Zakharova?

Specialist Dr. Nishana Zakharova is a physician specialized in neurology, known for her patient-centered approach and strong command of modern medical practices.

Dr. Zakharova has a solid medical background and has completed her education as follows:

• Azerbaijan Medical University (2008–2014): She successfully completed her medical education at this respected institution and earned the title of Medical Doctor.

• Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology (2018–2023): She completed her residency in this leading clinic, specializing in the field of neurology.

During her residency, Dr. Zakharova received comprehensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, adopting the most current scientific methods. This education equipped her with the following qualities:

• Mastery of Current Knowledge and Technology: She closely follows the latest developments in the field of neurology and strives to offer her patients the most effective treatment methods.

• Patient-Centered Approach: She acknowledges that each patient's condition is unique and customizes treatment plans based on individual needs.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: When necessary, she works in collaboration with specialists from other medical fields to ensure holistic care for her patients.

• Lifelong Learning and Development: She actively participates in national and international congresses and seminars to continuously enhance her professional knowledge and skills.

Dr. Zakharova continues her career with the aim of providing high-standard and personalized healthcare services.

Neurologists are specialists who diagnose, treat, and manage diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, and muscles. Their areas of interest are broad and varied.

Common medical conditions neurologists focus on:

Cerebrovascular Diseases (Brain Blood Vessel Disorders)

• Stroke: Conditions caused by interruption or reduction of blood flow to the brain.

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain.

• Brain Hemorrhages: Bleeding inside or around the brain (e.g., subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage).

• Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST): Blood clots in the brain’s venous sinuses.

• Vascular Dementia: Dementia caused by damage to brain blood vessels.

Movement Disorders

• Parkinson’s Disease: A progressive neurological disease characterized by tremor, muscle stiffness, and slow movement.

• Essential Tremor: Involuntary shaking.

• Dystonia: Involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures or movements.

• Huntington’s Disease: A genetic progressive brain disorder.

Demyelinating Diseases

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A chronic disease involving nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord.

Epilepsy

• A brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.

Headaches

• Migraine: Severe, throbbing headaches.

• Tension-Type Headache: The most common type of headache.

• Cluster Headache: Severe headaches occurring in attacks.

Neuromuscular Diseases

• Myasthenia Gravis: An autoimmune disease causing muscle weakness.

• Motor Neuron Diseases (MND): Progressive nervous system diseases causing muscle weakness (e.g., Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - ALS).

• Muscular Dystrophies: Genetic diseases causing muscle wasting and weakness.

Dementia

• Alzheimer’s Disease: The most common type of dementia.

• Vascular Dementia: Dementia due to blood vessel damage in the brain.

• Frontotemporal Dementia: Dementia affecting the frontal and temporal lobes.

Sleep Disorders

• Insomnia

• Sleep Apnea: Breathing stops during sleep.

• Restless Leg Syndrome: Discomfort in the legs and an urge to move them.

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

• Neuropathy: Damage to peripheral nerves causing numbness, tingling, pain.

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): Inflammation of peripheral nerves causing muscle weakness.

Diagnostic Neurology Applications

We can create a list covering various methods and tests used in the diagnosis of neurological diseases.

Some common diagnostic neurology applications include:

Neurological Examination

• Taking patient history (symptoms, onset and duration, family history, medications, etc.)

• Assessing consciousness level, mental status, language functions, cranial nerves

• Examining motor functions (strength, coordination, reflexes) and sensory system (touch, pain, temperature, vibration)

• Posture, gait, and balance examination

Imaging Techniques

• Computed Tomography (CT): Used to obtain cross-sectional images of the brain, spinal cord, and other structures.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Particularly valuable for diagnosing stroke, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions due to its superior soft tissue contrast.

• Angiography: Used to visualize brain blood vessels; helps detect blockages, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

• Doppler Ultrasonography: Assesses blood flow in neck vessels (carotid and vertebral arteries).

Electrophysiological Tests

• Electroencephalography (EEG): Records brain waves to evaluate epilepsy, sleep disorders, and other brain function abnormalities.

• Electromyography (EMG): Measures electrical activity in muscles and nerves; helps detect muscle diseases and nerve damage.

• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS): Evaluates peripheral nerve function; used in diagnosis of nerve compression and neuropathies.

• Evoked Potentials (EP): Measures electrical responses of the nervous system to specific stimuli (visual, auditory, somatosensory).

Fluid and Tissue Analysis

• Lumbar Puncture (LP): A procedure to examine cerebrospinal fluid; used in diagnosis of meningitis, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory or infectious diseases.

• Muscle or Nerve Biopsy: Rarely, tissue samples are taken for detailed examination to confirm muscle diseases or neuropathies.

Genetic Testing

• Used to determine if neurological diseases (such as Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophies) are hereditary.

Sleep Studies (Polysomnography)

• Used to evaluate sleep disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Cognitive Testing (Neuropsychological Tests)

• Assesses memory, attention, language, executive functions; used in diagnosis and monitoring of dementia, traumatic brain injury, and related conditions.