More Than a Migraine: When to See a Neurologist for Chronic Headaches

When headaches become a regular part of your week, it’s all too easy to fall into a routine of taking medication, waiting for the pain to pass, and getting back to life until the next one hits. 

But at what point do you see a neurologist? 

At Link Integrated Healthcare — with locations in Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Camarillo, California —  our team takes a closer look at chronic headaches to determine what’s causing them and what can help you find relief.

Read on as our team of expert providers at Link Integrated Healthcare share five signs that it’s time to talk to us about your headaches. 

Not every severe headache is a migraine

People often use migraine and headache interchangeably, but migraine is a specific neurological disorder, and it’s only one possible cause of recurring head pain.

Migraine attacks can cause moderate to severe pain. They’re often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Physical activity may make the pain worse. Some people also experience an aura, which can cause temporary visual disturbances, such as flashing lights.

Other headache disorders can cause recurring pain, too. These include tension-type headaches, cluster headaches, and medication-overuse headaches. Even ponytail headaches can cause daily pain if you wear the same hairstyle every day.   

5 signs it may be time to see a neurologist

It may be time to visit our team of neurologists if:

1. Your headaches keep coming back

An occasional headache after a stressful day is one thing, but headaches that repeatedly disrupt your life are another altogether.

If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, look for patterns. You might even keep a headache diary. Record:

• When your headache begins
• How long it lasts
• Where you feel the pain
• Other symptoms you experience
• What medications you take
• How much water you’ve had
• Anything that might have triggered it

Patterns that initially seem random may become much easier to recognize when you track them.

2. Your headaches are getting worse or changing

A change in your usual headache pattern doesn’t necessarily mean something serious is wrong, but it does give us a reason to investigate rather than assuming you’re experiencing the same old migraine.

3. You’re relying on pain relievers more often

If you find yourself reaching for ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or another headache medication several times a week, simply treating each headache as it arrives may no longer be the best strategy.

In fact, frequently using certain medications to stop headache pain can eventually contribute to medication-overuse headaches.

Our neurologists can evaluate how often you’re experiencing headaches and determine whether you could benefit from a treatment designed to prevent attacks, rather than only reacting once the pain begins.

4. Headaches interfere with your everyday life

You don’t have to wait until your headaches become unbearable to seek specialized care. If they’re changing the way you live, that’s reason enough to find out what can be done.

5. You still don’t know what’s causing them

Hormone imbalances, dehydration, stress, and underlying medical conditions can all cause headaches. It’s easy to come up with explanations for recurring headaches, but chronic pain shouldn’t be left to guesswork.

A neurological evaluation allows us to look more closely at your symptoms, medical history, medications, headache patterns, and potential triggers. We also perform a neurological examination to look for anything that may suggest another underlying problem.

Know when a headache is an emergency

Thankfully, most headaches aren’t medical emergencies, but some headaches shouldn’t even wait for an appointment with a neurologist.

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a sudden, extremely severe headache that reaches peak intensity within seconds or minutes.

Seek emergency care if your headache is accompanied by:

• Weakness or numbness, particularly on one side
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Significant vision changes
• Fever and a stiff neck
• A serious head injury

A new or unusual severe headache during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth also warrants prompt medical attention.

A neurologist can help you get ahead of your headaches

Seeing a neurologist isn’t simply about finding a stronger medication to take the next time your head hurts. 

Once we understand what type of headache you’re experiencing and what’s contributing to it, we can build a treatment plan just for you. That may include medications to stop an attack once it begins, preventive medications to reduce how often headaches occur, and injections.

Because headaches don’t always have a purely neurological cause, our integrated approach can go a step further. Our primary care team can help identify and manage health concerns, such as hormonal imbalances or nutritional deficiencies, that may be contributing to your headaches.

Ready to say goodbye to chronic headaches? Call the Link Integrated Healthcare  location of your choice or use the Request an Appointment Button to get started.