Frequent Headaches or Migraines? When You Should Consult a Neurologist

THeadaches are super common – and everyone has had one at some or the other point. It may be due to not getting enough sleep, watching too many reels or a screen for way too long at night or if you are dehydrated or very hungry. These are some common causes, but you can get a headache because of a lot of other reasons too. Random headaches need not prompt you to worry, but chronic headaches must not be ignored and when you need to call a neurologist for headaches at KIMS Sunshine Hospital without any delay!
Causes For Chronic Headaches-
Headaches can be classified into 2 types- primary and secondary. Primary headaches are those headaches that come on, even when you are totally healthy- like a tension headache, stress related migraines, dehydration or related ones. These get better with treatment or rest.
Secondary headaches occur because of some other underlying condition- like when you have the flu, high blood pressure, head injury, infections, cancers etc. These are what really require your attention.
Hence, these are some well known persistent headache causes.
Symptoms That Should Prompt A Migraine Specialist Consultation-
These are some symptoms that must not be ignored, as it may be a medical emergency in severe cases.
- A thunderclap headache- often called the ‘worst headache of my life’- may be due to an aneurysm or when a blood vessel tears.
- Even if you do suffer from headaches now and then, their frequency matters- if it is too often and they tend to incapacitate you for hours ata time, you should get it looked at.
- If you have a severe headache with a rash, high fever or a stiff feeling neck.
- If you develop a headache after a traumatic head injury.
- If you observe symptoms like numbness, vision changes, seizures, loss of vision, speech problems or cognition gets affected, then this is serious.
- If your headache stays for days or weeks at a time and does not let up at all- with severity increasing over time.
- If your headache doesn’t get better with the regular use of OTC painkillers.
Diagnosis and Chronic Headache Treatment-
Getting a severe migraine diagnosis involves a few steps- like getting a neurological examination done, doctors will ask what kind of symptoms you are having, checking vital signs like blood pressure, getting blood tests done and detailed imaging in the form of MRI or CT scans, respectively.
Treatment depends on understanding what is causing the headache in the first place. Drugs can be given for mild headaches that strike often. Specialized medications can also be prescribed- like beta blockers, anti-seizure drugs or triptans, among others- to help keep your symptoms under control.
Conclusion
Understanding triggers can help prevent headaches – like dehydration, temperature changes, skipping a meal, bright lights or loud sounds, poor posture for example, among other possibilities. Many people can feel better if they use proper posture and sleep properly.
If you have any concerns, or suffer from headaches often, please get in touch with highly experienced neurologists at the best neurology hospital in Hyderabad.