The averageheadachedoesnt require a call to a neurologist or even your family doctor. But if youre experiencing frequent headaches and usingmedication for them regularly, thats a different story.
If you have a history of headaches that come once or twice a month and go away when you take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication such asacetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Aleve), you may not need to seek further treatment, saysSandhya Kumar, MD, a neurologist andheadache specialistat Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
If youre having headaches more than four times a month, especially if they are debilitating and keeping you home from work, you should see a provider for diagnosis and medication, says Dr. Kumar.
As a general rule, for nonsevere headaches, your family doctor is a great person to start with. Approximately 7 out of 10 people talk to their primary care doctor first, according to theAmerican Headache Society.
If the recommended treatments are not working well or you have unusual symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist, who specializes in disorders of the brain and nervous system.
Possible signs that you may need to see a specialist for your headaches include:
According to headache expertPeter Goadsby, MD, PhD, a professor of neurology at the UCLA GoldbergMigraineProgram in Los Angeles, a valuable tool in diagnosis is your headache history.
A thorough history, aided by your detailed notes, can pinpoint causes, triggers, and even potential solutions. Make careful notes about your headache experiences before you go to the doctor. Include the following:
Dr. Goadsby recommends using a monthly calendar so that the pattern of headache days is clearly visible to you and your doctor.
If you are having severe or disabling headaches, dont wait a full month to call for an appointment make notes about what you recall or are experiencing and see a doctor as soon as you can.
The tests your doctor orders will depend in part on what they suspect could be causing your headaches and whether its a primary headache such as amigraineor tension headache or a secondary headache, which means that its a symptom of another health concern.
Although primary headaches can be painful and debilitating, they arent life-threatening.
Secondary headaches are much rarer and can be the sign of a serious health issue sometimes even one that requires urgent medical attention.
The process of diagnosis may include the following:
Medical HistoryYour doctor will want to know about any other health conditions you have as well as any medications, supplements, or herbal treatments you take.
Family HistoryBe prepared to provide details about any family members who have headaches or migraine at what age their headaches started and any other health diagnoses they may have. As Goadsby notes, Very often, family members wont know theyve got migraine, but they will know they are prone to headaches. Since migraine has a strong genetic component, a family history of migraine-like symptoms is an indicator that your headaches are also being caused by migraine.
Physical ExamYour doctor will examine you, paying close attention to yourhead,neck, and shoulders, which can all contribute to headache pain in various ways.
Neurological ExamA neurological exam may include tests of your vision, hearing, short-term memory, reflexes, sensation, balance, and coordination.
Blood TestsBlood tests may be ordered to rule out infection and other health conditions that have headache as a symptom.
Spinal Fluid TestThis may be necessary if your doctor suspects that your headaches are caused by certain types of infection or by bleeding in your brain.
UrinalysisA urine sample may be ordered to help rule out infection and other health conditions.
Imaging TestsComputed tomography(CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be ordered. These imaging tests can show structures in your head, neck, or elsewhere in the body that may be causing your headaches.
Neuroimaging Tests These may be done during a headache episode to get a clearer picture of what is going on during an actual headache.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)This test can show your doctor whether there are changes in brain wave activity. It can help diagnose brain tumors, seizures, head injury, and swelling in the brain.
Working closely with your family practitioner and a neurologist, if needed, will bring you closer toheadache relief.
Warning signsthat you need immediate medical attention for your headache ormigraineinclude:
RELATED:When Should You Worry About Your Headache and Seek Immediate Help?
Additional reporting byBecky Upham.
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Is It Time to See a Neurologist for Your Headaches? - Everyday Health
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