Getting great care for a neurological problem doesn't have to mean leaving Maui. It's comforting to know that a board-certified neurologist at Maui Health can help you when you need it most.
Maui Health offers inpatient neurology care at Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC). This means that a neurologist is always available, should you need specialized care during a hospital stay.
Our neurologists also provide 24/7 care for patients in the MMMC emergency room.
We treat a variety of neurological problems
Here are a few of the many conditions the neurology team at MMMC can diagnose and treat:
- Stroke. MMMC is a The Joint Commission-certified primary stroke center. This means that our experts have everything they need to rapidly diagnose and treat strokes right here on Maui.
- Cerebral aneurysm (a ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain).
- Subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhage (bleeding around the brain).
- Seizure and epilepsy.
- Infections of the central nervous system, such as meningitis.
- Myelopathies (spinal cord diseases).
- Neuropathy (nerve damage).
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease).
- Brain and spinal tumors.
Reviewed 12/6/2022
Parkinson's disease: True or false?
No one knows the exact cause of Parkinson's disease, a movement disorder that worsens over time. There is no cure, but medication and surgery can help manage its symptoms. About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year. How much do you know about this disease?
True or false: A special diet can treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
False. Diet alone won't treat it. But eating certain foods can ease symptoms. For example, drinking plenty of fluids daily can help you avoid constipation. So can eating fiber-rich foods like brown rice, whole grains, fruit and beans.
True or false: Exercise can lead to falls, so people with Parkinson's should avoid physical activity.
False. Physical activity can help you maintain and improve balance, flexibility and mobility. Exercise also might improve emotional well-being. Of course, you want to stay safe. So talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
True or false: The symptoms of Parkinson's are the same for everyone with the disease.
False. While tremors, slow movement, stiffness and impaired balance are the primary symptoms, not everyone with Parkinson's has all four—or experiences them in the same way. And other non-motor symptoms often accompany the disease. Work closely with your doctor to manage your particular symptoms—and make sure loved ones and caregivers understand the treatment plan too.
True or false: One effect of Parkinson's, called freezing, happens when you want to walk forward but your body doesn't move right away.
True. Freezing often occurs when you want to walk through a doorway or are trying to turn around. Some tips for getting out of a freezing episode include marching in place, counting out loud or trying to move in a different direction.
True or false: A decreased sense of smell can be an early sign of Parkinson's.
True. It's called hyposmia, and it can occur years before any of the motor signs associated with the disease. Most people with hyposmia won't go on to develop Parkinson's, but many people with Parkinson's will have hyposmia.
You can learn more about Parkinson's in the Parkinson's Disease health topic center.
Sources: Michael J. Fox Foundation; National Institutes of Health
Advanced neurology procedures close to home
MMMC is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technologies that allow us to rapidly diagnose neurological problems. And if your condition could be helped by a medical procedure, we have you covered.
Our patients have access to:
- Neurosurgeons who are recognized throughout Hawaii and the mainland as leaders in their specialty.
- Interventional neuroradiology. Our team uses catheters and other instruments to treat conditions such as stroke and brain aneurysm.
Qualified and caring Maui neurologists
The neurologists at MMMC are part of Pacific Permanente Group. They're board-certified, highly trained and focused on providing compassionate, patient-centered care that is as good as any you might find outside Maui.
You can feel confident asking your provider to refer you to MMMC for specialized neurological care.