7 Tips To Help You Get A Headache And Migraine Diagnosis From A Nerve Doctor

You've been suffering with headaches and migraines for a while. You've tried medications and therapy, and you're still having difficulty finding relief. A specialist in neurological disorders can help. A nerve doctor is able to determine the underlying cause of your headache condition, helping you develop a treatment plan that will help you find relief. Here are 7 tips to help you get a headache and migraine diagnosis from a nerve doctor.

Consult your primary care physician about a referral

The first step to getting a headache and migraine diagnosis from a neurologist is to get a referral from your primary care doctor for headache and migraine. This will ensure that the Neurologist has access to your medical history and can perform appropriate tests.

Your primary care doctor can help you determine whether you have a chronic condition or if it's just an occasional flare-up. He or she may recommend seeing a specialist if they believe your symptoms are indicating something more serious than what you're experiencing currently.

The second step is scheduling an appointment at your local hospital, urgent care center or emergency room (ER). The ER can provide some of the most immediate care, but it's not always appropriate for every patient. If you feel that you need immediate attention, don't hesitate to go to the ER.

If you've been diagnosed with a chronic condition by your primary care doctor and have been referred by him or her, then he or she will be able to give you more detailed information about how it affects your life on a day-to-day basis.

Know your family history

If you or a family member has had a headache or migraine problem, then it is important to know if other members of the family have had similar problems.

There are several questions that you can ask your doctor to help determine if you have a hereditary condition. These include:

• Do you have headaches?
• Do you have migraines?
• Do you have visual disturbances (blurred vision, light sensitivity, loss of peripheral vision)?

Don't be afraid to ask questions

1. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the treatment procedures for migraine. The more you know, the better you can make decisions about your treatment plan.

2. Be patient and avoid rushing through the appointment. Migraine medications may take time to work, so don't expect immediate results and don't be afraid to ask for a second or third opinion if you are not satisfied with your nerve specialist’s recommendations.

3. Make sure your doctor has experience treating migraines and knows how to prescribe medications that are best suited for your specific situation.

4. Ask about possible side effects from medication before deciding whether or not to take them (if they are effective). Do not stop taking a medication without speaking with your doctor first; this may cause rebound headaches, which can be even more painful than regular headaches!

5. Always let someone know where you are going, who is coming into contact with you, and what kind of food or drinks you plan on consuming while at work or school (especially if they will contain caffeine).

6. If you have any questions or concerns after seeing your doctor, do not hesitate

Be honest with your doctor

Your doctor will ask you a lot of questions to find out what is causing your headache and migraines. The more information you provide, the better they can treat you and help you get better.

You should be honest with your nerve doctor for all the treatments they recommend. They have a lot of experience in figuring out why people have headaches and migraines, so they can give you the best possible treatment.

Keep a headache journal for your treatment

If you have a migraine, the best way to treat it is to keep a headache journal. Write down what you eat, how long it lasts, how much pain you feel, and how long you sleep during each period of migraine. You can also write down any medicines that you take during your migraines or other symptoms that may cause headaches.

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Write down as many details about your headaches as possible. If you have severe pain and vomiting, for example, write down when these symptoms started and how long they lasted. 

Write down if the pain is constant or intermittent and if it comes on gradually or suddenly. When did it hurt most intensely? When did it start hurting less? Did it happen at rest or while doing something else such as eating or drinking? Did you feel nauseous before the headache started? How long did this nausea last?

These details will help your migraine doctor to determine whether there are any other causes for your migraine besides food allergies (which could be causing the migraine).

Headache and Migraine Diagnosis for relief from doctors

When you have a headache or migraine, it can be hard to know what's causing it. One of the most common causes is an illness called tension headaches, also known as cluster headaches. 

These are very painful headaches that occur in cycles over days or weeks. They can last from 15 minutes to an hour and are often accompanied by strong muscle contractions, nausea and vomiting. Tension headaches can also cause problems with vision and hearing and should not be taken lightly since they tend to be so disabling.

Tension headaches can be caused by many different conditions including sinus infections, allergies and even changes in weather like high heat or humidity. If you suspect that your tension headache may be related to an underlying condition, consult a doctor for nerve problems immediately so that they can make sure you get treatment as soon as possible.

Other more rare causes of tension headaches include:

• Stress related illnesses such as anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Muscle tension from chronic pain or injury (such as from carpal tunnel syndrome)

• Headaches caused by hormonal problems (such as menopause)

Follow through on the doctor's recommendations to get treated from migraine

If your doctor has given you a prescription for migraine medication, take it as directed and follow all directions carefully. You should always read the label of any medicine or supplement you are taking. This is especially important if you are using a pain reliever by mouth or by injection. If you have any questions or concerns, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Stick with the treatment plan your doctor recommends. Your migraines may improve with treatment and you may be able to treat them at home as well. If not, talk to your doctor about how long it will take before you start feeling better.

Takeaway

Your headache and migraine symptoms are treatable! With the right nerve doctor on your side, you'll feel better sooner rather than later.