7 Crucial Signs You Need a Doctor for Migraines

Migraines affect approximately 12% of the population. Annual rates reach 17% among women and 6% among men.

These painful headaches are linked to other conditions, such as mood disorders and cardiovascular failure. They make up 3% of emergency room visits, but only 50% of sufferers have seen a doctor for their condition in the past year.

Read on for seven crucial signs to see a doctor for migraines.

1. New Patterns

According to the American Migraine Foundation, 3-5% of the US population has chronic migraines. That means they have 15 or more headaches a month for at least three months.

You’ll notice patterns if you have chronic headaches, but they can also show up if you’ve only had a few headaches. Pay attention to any changes in these patterns. Keep records of everything about your migraines and how they change. They can indicate a larger problem that requires a doctor’s care.

What’s your pain level? Has it gotten worse? Has it changed from stabbing to throbbing or vice versa? Has it moved to a different area of your head? Are your normal pain relief methods not working?

Try to time the duration of the pain. Most migraines last for four to 72 hours. Let your doctor know if they last longer than usual.

Pay attention to the frequency of the attacks. Go to the doctor if you’re experiencing migraines more than once a week. You should also go if they used to be infrequent and become chronic.

The symptoms you feel are also a key indicator that something may have changed. Do you suddenly have more sensitivity to light or sound? 70-80% of migraine cases don’t involve auras or symptoms directly before the migraine. You may start to develop them later, or your aura symptoms could change. That could be a sign of an underlying issue.

2. Neurological Migraine Symptoms

It’s difficult to think about anything else when you’re in pain, but other types of symptoms are more concerning. Pay attention to neurological migraine symptoms such as:

 

These symptoms could point to a more serious neurological condition. A few of the most common are:

 

These conditions can cause irreversible damage to the brain. The best way to prevent this is with immediate intervention.

3. Sudden Onset or Rapid Escalation

Thunderclap headaches are one of the most dangerous headache types. They cause intense pain, typically the worst headache pain you’ve ever had, in less than a minute. This is different from other headaches that slowly get worse over time.

You need to get treatment for thunderclap headaches right away. They can be related to life-threatening conditions in the brain, such as:

 

4. Fever or Neck Stiffness

Migraines, stiff necks, and fevers are a dangerous combination of symptoms. They can indicate meningitis. It’s an inflammation of the brain and the membranes of the spinal cord.

The condition often causes headaches, but that’s not all. You may also experience other symptoms such as:

 

None of these signs should be ignored. Certain forms go away on their own. Bacterial meningitis is a more serious form and progresses quickly without treatment. It can cause serious long-term disability or even lead to death.

5. Migraines After Injuries

It’s common to experience headaches immediately after a concussion. If they go away quickly, you might not have anything to worry about.

If you experience another one within seven days, that could be a post-traumatic headache. These can lead to concerning neurological symptoms such as:

 

It’s also important to take migraines seriously if they follow a severe head injury or fall. These can lead to more serious neurological changes or brain injuries.

Go to the doctor right away. It’s the only way to make sure you haven’t experienced a traumatic brain injury. These go far beyond a simple fall. They need to be treated right away to avoid permanent physical and neurological damage.

6. Migraines That Interfere With Daily Life

Globally, migraines rank as the second leading cause of disability behind back pain. They’re also connected with other disabling mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Knowing when to see a doctor for migraines involves considering how much they’re interfering with your daily life. Have the symptoms made it impossible for you to perform daily tasks, work, or even get to sleep?

If you answered yes to any of these, it’s time to get to a doctor. Migraines are notoriously hard to diagnose, so they may not find out what’s causing your pain. What they can do is give you medication and techniques to get you back to your normal life.

7. Changes From Motion

One of the most important migraine warning signs to look for is what makes your pain better or worse. Start with one of the simplest; how the pain increases or decreases as you move around.

Does the pain it causes get worse when you lay flat but better when you sit or stand? These can be dangerous signs. A mass may be putting pressure on your brain or spinal cord. They’re also common when blood clots form in the brain.

The alternative is pain that’s worse when you stand up or sit and better when you lie down. It’s not as serious but is a sign of dehydration or low blood pressure.

Where Can I Find a Doctor for Migraines?

Consider seeing a doctor for migraines if you notice changes in their patterns, neurological symptoms, sudden onset or rapid escalation of pain, fevers or neck stiffness, migraines after injuries, disabling symptoms, or changes from motion.

Dr. Gobinder Chopra is a triple-board-certified neurologist. He has been providing neurological care to patients in the Las Vegas Valley since 1999.

Founding Neurocare of Nevada was a way to give back to the community. He uses his experience to treat a range of neurological concerns. Book your appointment today.