Chronic headaches can disrupt daily life, especially when over-the-counter treatments fail to provide relief. Persistent symptoms such as throbbing pain, light sensitivity, and nausea may indicate the need for professional care. When headaches or migraines become frequent, consulting a neurologist is often the next step toward effective treatment. But what should you expect at your first appointment?
At Neurocare of Nevada, our mission is to provide compassionate care to help you regain control of your headaches. This article details what you can expect during a neurologist’s headache consultation.
The Consultation
The first appointment focuses on collecting information that will be used for treatment and care. The more information you can provide, the more effective the consultation will be.
Initial Discussion and Medical History
We’ll begin by asking questions to better understand the types of headaches you’re having. We may ask questions about:
- Your symptoms: Describe how your headache feels. Is it a dull ache, a sharp stabbing pain, or a pulsing sensation?
- Frequency and duration: Explain how often your headaches occur and how long they usually last.
- Triggers: Share any patterns you have noticed. Common triggers include specific foods, stress, lack of sleep, or hormonal changes.
- Associated symptoms: Mention if other issues, such as visual auras, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or sensitivity to light or sound, accompany your headaches.
- Your medical history: Be prepared to review past and current medications, any previous head injuries, and whether there is a family history of headaches or migraines.
The Neurological Exam
After the consultation, a physical and neurological exam will take place to assess your nervous system. During this exam, we may check your:
- Reflexes and muscle strength: To ensure your motor function is normal.
- Coordination and balance: To check for any issues with movement.
- Sensation: To test your ability to feel different sensations.
- Cognitive function: To assess your memory and concentration.
The Diagnosis Process
A neurologist’s primary goal is to determine the underlying cause of headaches. While most headaches are unrelated to serious health issues, a thorough evaluation is essential to rule out more serious conditions.
Ruling Out Other Conditions
During the exam, your neurologist will check for signs or symptoms that could suggest a more serious underlying problem. This step is routine and should not be a cause for concern. Most patients with headaches do not have another medical condition causing them. The purpose is to be thorough and ensure you receive the most accurate diagnosis. Below is a brief overview of what your neurologist may look to rule out:
- Brain tumors: These are infrequent causes of headaches. Your neurologist will check for specific patterns of symptoms that are not typical of a regular migraine or tension headache. In the unlikely event a tumor is suspected, imaging tests can provide a clear picture for diagnosis.
- Aneurysms: An aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel. A severe, sudden “thunderclap” headache can sometimes be a sign, but this is a highly uncommon cause of chronic headaches. Your doctor will listen carefully to your description of the pain to see if it fits this particular, rare pattern.
- Infections like meningitis or encephalitis: These are severe but infrequent conditions. Your doctor will check for a specific combination of symptoms that usually accompany these infections, such as a high fever, stiff neck, and confusion, which are absent in most headache cases.
- Head trauma: If you’ve had a recent head injury, your doctor will check to see if your headaches are a result of that trauma. Headaches following an injury are common, but a thorough checkup ensures no underlying issue needs to be addressed.
Diagnostic Tests
Your doctor may recommend further diagnostic tests based on your symptoms and the neurological exam to get a clearer picture. These may include:
- MRI or CT Scan: These imaging tests provide detailed pictures of your brain, which can help rule out structural issues, tumors, or bleeding.
- EEG (Electroencephalogram): This test measures your brain waves and can help identify brain disorders or sleep-related issues that may be contributing to your headaches.
- Blood or urine tests: These may be used to check for various health disorders causing your symptoms.
The Treatment Plan
Once a diagnosis is made, your neurologist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include a combination of different approaches.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Your doctor may recommend stress management techniques, dietary changes, and the establishment of a regular sleep schedule.
- Medications: Your neurologist may prescribe medications to relieve acute pain when a headache occurs or prevent headaches from happening in the first place.
- Non-Pharmacological Treatments: Depending on your condition, other treatments, such as physical therapy, nerve blocks, or Botox injections for chronic migraines, may be recommended.
Preparing for Your Visit
A little preparation goes a long way to make the most of your appointment. We recommend:
- Keep a headache diary: Track the date, time, duration, and intensity of your headaches, any potential triggers, and what helped or didn’t help.
- Bring a list of medications: Include all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you currently take.
- Prepare a list of questions: It’s easy to forget what you wanted to ask. Write your questions beforehand, such as “What are my treatment options?” or “Are there any lifestyle changes I should consider?”
Conclusion
A visit to the neurologist for headaches is a positive and proactive step toward finding relief. If you are struggling with chronic headaches or migraines, don’t wait. Contact Neurocare of Nevada today to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a neurologist for my headaches?
It’s time to see a neurologist if your headaches are severe, frequent, disabling, or don’t respond to typical treatments. You should also seek a professional opinion if other neurological symptoms like vision changes, dizziness, or numbness accompany your headaches.
What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?
A headache is a general term for pain in the head. Migraine is a specific neurological disease characterized by a severe headache and other symptoms, such as pulsing pain, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Will I need to stop my current medications before my appointment?
No, you should not stop taking your prescribed medications without consulting with your primary care physician or neurologist. It’s essential to provide a complete list of all your medications and supplements so your neurologist can get an accurate medical history.
How long does a neurologist appointment for headaches last?
The duration of the appointment can vary, but the initial consultation is often more in-depth. Be prepared for a visit that could last up to an hour or more, allowing for a thorough medical history discussion, physical exam, and time for you to ask questions.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
