The Neurology Department at Saint Anthony's Health Center in Alton, now offers advanced testing for muscles and nerve disorders. The health center recently purchased new state-of-the-art equipment for electromyogram (EMG) and for nerve conduction studies. An EMG measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals. “
The main function of the EMG equipment is in the diagnosis of the following disorders:
- Focal disorders of nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Nerve root disorders, such as pinched nerves in the neck or back.
- Diffuse nerve disorders, such as polyneropathy from diabetes or other conditions.
- Certain specific neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and myasthenia gravis.
- Disorders of muscle, such as polymyositis and muscular dystrophy.
"Nerves control the muscles in the body by electrical signals, or impulses, and these impulses make the muscles react in specific ways,” said Lillie Thomas, Director of Radiology. “Nerve and muscle disorders cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways. Measuring the electrical activity in muscles and nerves can help find diseases that damage muscle tissue such as muscular dystrophy of nerves. EMG and conduction studies are often done together to give more complete information.”
The Saint Anthony’s Neurology Department provides fast, reliable diagnostic testing. All neurology tests are performed by a neurological technician and a board certified neurologist.
For more information, call the Saint Anthony's Neurology Department at 618/474-6458.