When is the Right Time to Visit a Neurologist for Headaches?

Most patients referred to a department of neurology arrive with complaints of dizziness and headaches.

More than a hundred different types of headaches, each with its own set of symptoms and degree of severity but all characterized by discomfort or pain in the face or head.

There are those that must be seen by a doctor, while others are easily remedied with OTC drugs or home cures. There are two types of headaches: secondary headaches, which are brought on by something else medically, and primary headaches, which are the only medical issue they’re associated with.

When a headache may need immediate help

The typical headache is not serious enough to necessitate a visit to the neurologist or even the family physician. But things change if you have headaches frequently and have to seek treatment for them on a regular basis.

If you use an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen whenever you get a headache and the pain goes away, you may not need to consult a doctor.

If you’re suffering pains more than 4 times a month, particularly if they are painful and holding you away from work, you must visit a doctor for diagnosis and treatment

Here are some warning signs that could indicate a concussion or other serious health problem:

1. Chronic headaches or migraines

We all feel headaches — of different lengths and intensity — due to just about everything from gazing at a screen too much to loud noise to a shortage of sleep to a throat infection. The pain of a headache may be transitory, but it is usually not too debilitating. In most cases, OTC pain relievers and other conservative treatments will do the trick.

If you experience any of the following, it may be time to see a neurologist:

• You’re suffering serious or painful headaches.
• You need to take a headache tablet every day.
• You always seem to be sleepy and aching in the head first thing in the morning.

2. Cluster headaches

In terms of severity, cluster headaches are unparalleled among primary headaches. Typically occurring in the spring and fall, cluster headaches strike in clusters. Cluster periods can last anywhere from two weeks up to three months and have attacks anywhere from once per day to 8 times per day. Sometimes the headaches will “go into remission,” meaning they’ll cease totally for a period of time but will eventually return. Symptoms of a clustering headache include:

• Stressful with a smoldering or stabbing sensation.
• Situated in the area of the eyes without switching sides.
• Continual or throbbing pain.

3. Dizziness

There is more than one type of dizziness. Vertigo and other forms of imbalance can cause dizziness, which neurologists are trained to manage. Both vertigo and instability involve a sensation that one’s environment is swirling.

If you’re not sure whether or not your dizziness is serious enough to warrant a referral to a specialist in neurological disorders, your primary care physician can advise you.

4. No relief from over-the-counter or prescribed medications

Doctors warn that if you take pain relievers for headaches more than 10 days a month, you run the risk of developing medication-overuse headaches, also known as rebound headaches.

5. Sinus headaches

A sinus infection leads to nasal congestion and inflammation, which in turn leads to a sinus headache. Migraines are commonly diagnosed as sinus headaches, even by medical professionals. Sinus headache symptoms include:

• Nasty taste
• Discomfort spreads from your temples and forehead.
• Facial augmentation.
• Headache and a stuffed-up sensation in the ears.

6. Headache after head injury

Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a possible diagnosis in this case; the American Migraine Foundation suggests treating it differently from other headache disorders.

7. Headaches due to overdose of medications

Up to five percent of the population experiences medication-induced headaches (MOH), often known as rebound headaches. When you take painkillers for headaches frequently, these side effects may develop. Doing so can lead to more frequent headaches in the long run. Symptoms of MOH include:

• Higher frequency of headaches.
• There are many more days with pains than there are without.
• Morning pain that persists throughout the day.

Conclusion

While most headaches are mild and easily treated, others can be debilitating if left untreated. In 99 percent of patients who consult a neurologist complaining of headaches, the neurologist is able to determine the root cause of the condition simply by reviewing the patient’s headache history.

FAQs

1. Do headaches require a visit to a neurologist?

You may want to consult a neurologist if your headaches are followed by other symptoms or if the discomfort is confined to one side of your head. There should be a greater worry in the case of light and sound sensitivity, indigestion, and vomiting, as well as any weakening or numbness.

2. What kind of tests are completed for headaches?

One blood test for inflammation is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). MRI. Computed tomography. Images of the brain’s blood vessels can be obtained with digital subtraction angiography, a non-invasive procedure that employs X-rays and iodine contrast.

3. What factors contribute to a severe headache and hazy eyesight?

Migraine headaches and low blood sugar levels are two common triggers. Of course, headaches and distorted vision can also be symptoms of more serious illnesses including stroke and traumatic brain injury. If a person develops signs of these illnesses, they should seek emergency medical assistance.