Dr. William Ertag, MD is a Neurology specializing in the comprehensive neurological care of older adults (65 and above). He is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care at his clinic in Naples, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Ertag is a valued partner in senior health, understanding the unique needs and challenges of this population. He is affiliated with NCH North Naples Hospital and Naples Community Hospital, and is currently accepting new patients.
Neurologists provide specialized expertise in diagnosing and managing complex neurological conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and neuropathy common in seniors. Dr. Ertag works collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible care. His approach to care emphasizes evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Ertag completed rigorous medical training, including an internship at Montefiore Medical Center - Moses Division (graduated 1967) and residency training in Neurology at Albert Einstein College Of Medicine, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults (65 and above). He is Board Certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. For new patient appointments, please call (239) 430-0800. Dr. William Ertag, MD provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. William Ertag is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Ertag is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive neurological care with a focus on understanding each patient's unique needs. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other specialists, providing expert diagnosis and management of conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and neuropathy. Dr. Ertag prioritizes a person-centered approach, working with families to create a personalized plan that maximizes comfort and independence for each senior.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. William Ertag can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Medico
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Florida
- Employer Group PPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Great West Healthcare-Cigna PPO
- Humana
- Inc.
- MultiPlan
- PHCS Network PPO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. William Ertag provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A build-up of fluid in the brain, even with normal pressure, can lead to normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), causing walking problems, memory changes, and bladder issues; however, it's often treatable, improving daily function and lessening the burden on caregivers.
- Inflammatory and Toxic Neuropathy: When inflammation or harmful substances damage your nerves, it's called inflammatory or toxic neuropathy; treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and managing symptoms to improve your comfort and daily life.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes sudden, severe facial pain, often described as a shock-like or electric sensation, and we can work together to find ways to manage it and ease your discomfort.
- Myoclonus: Experiencing involuntary muscle twitches? Myoclonus might be the cause, and thankfully, there are approaches that can lessen the severity of these movements, helping maintain your daily routines.
- Peripheral Nerve Disorders: Experiencing numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet? These could be symptoms of a peripheral nerve disorder, but many effective treatments, including medications and lifestyle changes, are available to alleviate these issues and improve your daily functioning.
- Radiculopathy: Experiencing pain that shoots down your arm or leg? Radiculopathy, a pinched nerve, might be the cause. With the right care, including physical therapy and medication, you can reduce your pain and improve your daily life.
- Difficulty With Walking: Walking difficulties in older adults may be due to conditions like arthritis, stroke, or nerve damage, but with proper medical care and therapies, many can improve their walking ability.
- Gait Abnormality: Difficulty with walking, such as shuffling steps or unsteady movements, is a common concern that can be addressed through physical therapy, medication, or assistive devices, potentially enhancing quality of life.
- Cerebral Artery Thrombosis: Cerebral artery thrombosis is a serious condition where a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, potentially causing a stroke and impacting brain function; prompt medical attention is crucial to minimize lasting effects and improve quality of life.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: Managing restless legs syndrome often involves lifestyle changes like regular exercise, avoiding caffeine, and taking medication to reduce unpleasant sensations and improve sleep quality.
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A TIA is a temporary stroke that resolves on its own, usually within hours; however, it's a serious warning sign indicating a higher risk of a major stroke, highlighting the importance of rapid medical evaluation to prevent future strokes and maintain your well-being.
- Myasthenia Gravis: This condition, called myasthenia gravis, causes muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest; thankfully, medications and lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve your strength and well-being.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. William Ertag offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Functional Movement Screening: Functional Movement Screening helps healthcare providers track your progress and adjust your treatment plan for conditions affecting your movement, such as dementia or neuropathy.
- Memory Evaluation: This assessment helps healthcare professionals create a personalized care plan to support memory function and manage potential cognitive decline.
- Sudoscan: By measuring sweat gland function, Sudoscan helps identify early signs of nerve damage in older adults, potentially improving early intervention strategies for conditions like diabetes.
- ImPACT Testing: By objectively measuring cognitive performance, ImPACT testing helps determine the severity of brain injury and guides decisions about return to activities for seniors, enhancing their safety and well-being.
- Grip and-or Muscle Group Pull Test: This test provides objective data on muscle function, assisting in early detection of weakness related to various neurological conditions and guiding targeted interventions.
- Dementia or Depression Screening: This screening helps assess mental health and cognitive function, enabling the development of a tailored care plan for seniors experiencing memory loss or mood changes.
- Evoked Potential Test: To determine the extent of nerve damage and inform treatment decisions, an evoked potential test measures the electrical activity of the nervous system in response to external stimuli, crucial for managing conditions like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
- Evaluation and Treatment of Sleep Disorders: A sleep disorder evaluation can identify underlying medical issues contributing to poor sleep and improve the management of conditions like dementia.
- EMG (Electromyography): As part of your comprehensive neurological assessment, an EMG may be used to diagnose conditions like nerve damage or muscle disorders that affect mobility and function.
- Quantitative Sensory Test (QST): If you're experiencing nerve-related symptoms, a QST is a valuable tool in assessing their severity and location, contributing to a customized care plan that addresses your specific needs.
- Home Sleep Study: If you or your loved one is struggling with unexplained fatigue or cognitive changes, a home sleep study can be a valuable diagnostic tool to rule out or confirm sleep disorders that can mimic or exacerbate neurological symptoms.
- EEG (Electroencephalogram): An EEG is a painless test that measures the electrical activity in your brain to help doctors diagnose conditions like seizures, dementia, and sleep disorders.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Neurology in Florida.
Dr. William Ertag is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- A patient with normal pressure hydrocephalus found their walking significantly improved, allowing them to once again join their grandchildren for park visits, a cherished family activity. The family felt a great sense of relief and joy at the restoration of their loved one's mobility.
- With a personalized treatment plan, a senior was able to resume knitting, a cherished hobby, and experience a significant reduction in nerve pain.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Neurological care with Dr. William Ertag:
- What is a Neurologist, and when should a senior see one?
- A neurologist is a doctor specializing in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. If you or a loved one has concerns about significant memory loss, Parkinson's disease, stroke, persistent dizziness, or nerve pain, a neurologist can provide expert diagnosis and care. They are highly trained to manage complex neurological issues in older adults.
- My parent seems confused and is forgetting things. How can Dr. William Ertag help?
- Dr. Ertag specializes in evaluating memory and cognitive changes to determine the cause. He can diagnose conditions like Alzheimer's or other dementias, rule out other medical reasons, and create a management plan to support you and your loved one.
- What can I expect during a neurological exam?
- During your appointment with Dr. Ertag, expect a series of simple, painless tests to check your strength, coordination, reflexes, balance, and memory. These tests help Dr. Ertag understand how your nervous system is functioning. It's a way to get a complete picture of your health.
- Can family members be involved in the appointments and care planning?
- Dr. Ertag welcomes family involvement in appointments and care planning, especially for neurological conditions, including cognitive issues. With the patient's permission, we encourage family participation to ensure everyone understands the diagnosis and treatment plan.
- What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?
- Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type or cause of dementia, much like how a specific brand of car is a type of vehicle.
- What happens after a stroke?
- Dr. Ertag will work to identify the cause of the stroke, prescribe medications to reduce risk, and coordinate with rehabilitation specialists to help you regain as much function as possible, managing your long-term recovery and preventing future strokes.
- What are EEGs and EMGs used for?
- EEGs record the brain's electrical activity, helping to investigate seizures. EMGs check the health of muscles and nerves, diagnosing weakness or neuropathy.
- Does your practice manage sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome?
- Sleep is critical to brain health, and Dr. Ertag can evaluate and manage sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, as they are often linked to neurological conditions and can significantly impact a senior's daytime function and quality of life.
720 Goodlette Rd Ste 204
Naples FL 34102
Phone: (239) 430-0800
Dr. William Ertag, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1417955295
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Neurology like Dr. William Ertag are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.