Diagnosing Headaches

When it comes to diagnosing headaches, one would think it would be quite easy. No one needs someone to tell them when they have a headache. Surprisingly, due to the variety of headaches that people experience, diagnosing them is not as easy as you would think.

There is no way to detect a headache other than the symptoms being reported by the sufferer. This is what makes diagnosis so tricky, the doctor must rely on the description of the pain as given by the patient. As you can imagine, these descriptions are not as consistent as you would like them to be.

Some people cannot explain the type of pain they are experiencing as well as others. Everyone has different words they use to describe the same type of pain. The description, and even the location of the pain, will vary from patient to patient, even if they have the same type of headache.

The different types of headaches also make diagnosis difficult.

Tension headaches are usually not professionally diagnosed. They involve inflammation of the neck and face muscles and constricting blood vessels in the head. These headaches will usually go away on their own, but analgesics are often used to treat the pain. Migraines are much more severe and periodic, but many times, people do not seek professional help for these either.

Physicians will recommend treatment after listening to the description of the symptoms.

The type and location of the pain will often indicate what type of headache is being experienced. Migraines produce more of a pulsing or throbbing type of pain. The pain of tension headaches is more constant, but usually subsides quickly.

Other symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, cold extremities, and sensitivity to light and sound will often accompany migraines. These symptoms are fairly consistent from person to person, giving doctors a good basis for diagnosing this condition.

Cluster headaches will last for a period of time from around 30 minutes to an hour and a half. They usually show up as intense pain behind the eyes and temples. After they go away, they will return around the same time the next day. Sometimes this pattern is repeated for several weeks. This pattern is what allows doctors to successfully diagnose this condition.

In some cases, the description of the headache will lead doctors to look for some other existing medical condition. Often, things such as brain tumors can lead to a certain type of headache.

Various conditions can be linked to certain types of head pain through MRI and CT scans. The duration and intensity of the headache will also help in this type of diagnosis. A doctor can tell a lot by whether the headache get progressively worse or changes abruptly. This pattern may indicate a problem such as an aneurysm or a brain tumor.

Many times, the cause of headaches can be narrowed down to incorrect medication use. MOH (medication overuse headache) can be diagnosed by asking questions about medical history and medication intake. Many headaches can also be diagnosed by a thorough medical history. Some types, such as migraines, are more apt to run in the family. This is not the case with cluster headaches.

As you can see, diagnosing headaches is more difficult than one would think. A detailed description of the pain, as well as sufficient information gathering is the key to successful diagnosis.

         

Introduction to Headaches

Causes of Headaches
Who is At Risk of Suffering from Headaches?
Common Headache Symptoms

Headaches Guide and Info

Seeking Medical Advice for Headaches
Pregnancy Headaches Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Tension Headaches Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Sinus Headaches Causes and Treatments
Cluster Headaches Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Migraine Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Headaches Treatment and Medication

Ibuprofen Headache Medication and Treatment
Headaches Treatment - Surgery vs Drugs
Ergots and Midrin for Migraines Treatment
How to Control Headaches Symptoms
Acetaminophen – Headache Medication and Treatment
Headaches Preventive Medications and Treatments
Triptans Migraines Treatment and Medication
Aspirin - Headache Medication and Treatment
Brand Name vs Generic Medication – Headache Treatments