Seeking Medical Advice for Headaches

All medical conditions present certain challenges when it comes to diagnosis. A migraine is often confused with sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the sinus cavities. This often produces headache pain. Studies show that 97% of people who have actually suffered migraines misdiagnosed it as something else.

This is why giving your physician as much information as possible is so important.

Headache Diary
If you do experience frequent headaches, it's a good idea to keep a record of the exact description of the headaches. Take note of things such as severity, location, and duration so you can more effectively explain things to your doctor.

All of these factors will play a part in determining which type of headache you are experiencing, whether it be a migraine, cluster, or even a tension headache. The difference between migraines and clusters is more about the pattern than the pain. A cluster headache will occur around the same time every day for long periods of time.

Make careful notes about diet, exercise and life-factors, too.

Dietary issues can lead to headaches as well. Certain foods can trigger the onset of certain headaches, such as chocolate, red wine and cheese. In some people, headaches are caused by excessive exercise. There are many other lifestyle factors that can also contribute to headaches occurring. These include location, career, and relationship factors.

Sometimes the result is a common tension headache. Usually there is nothing you can do other than treat the pain with acetaminophen. When it becomes more than this, the notes you took describing the headache will be very useful in determining what you are dealing with so you can seek the proper treatment.

Advanced Tools
The number of medical conditions that can be responsible for secondary headaches is in the hundreds. This type of headache is the result of a pre-existing medical condition. When the headache itself is the medical condition, it is known as a primary headache.

In most cases, it takes a number of tests for your doctor to determine what the condition is that may be causing the headaches. CT scans and MRI are two of the tools used to make this determination.

A CT (Computer Tomography) scan produces a computerized image of the brain by using X-rays that are fed into the computer. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses the electromagnetic activity of the brain to create an image that will show abnormalities inside the skull. Both of these tools are effective in diagnosing the underlying causes of headaches.

Both are able to detect several of the common existing conditions that are responsible for severe headache pain. These conditions are sometimes as serious as a brain tumor or cancer.

Technology has made diagnosing headaches much easier than it has been in the past. These advancements, combined with a thorough examination by your physician should be able to narrow down the cause of your headache. Through testing and information gathered from the patient, such as family history, headache diagnosis is becoming more accurate all the time.

         

Introduction to Headaches

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

Headaches Guide and Info

Sinus Headaches Causes and Treatments
Cluster Headaches Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Pregnancy Headaches Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Migraine Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Tension Headaches Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Headaches Treatment and Medication

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