What you should do if you are experiencing regular and intense headaches.
Headaches are perhaps the most common form of pain that everyone experiences at some point or the other. Usually, you are able to pin-point a reason behind it, like lack of sleep, over-exertion, or excessive drinking, and remedy it by sleep or over-the-counter medication. However, chances are that if you are reading this article, you are experiencing a more severe and/ or frequent pain that could have underlying factors rooted in your nerve centres.
When should you see a Neurologist for your headache?
Chronic/ frequent headaches: If you are experiencing more than two headaches a week it could mean a more serious underlying problem that may need you to consult a neurologist.
Debilitating/ Increasing pain: If you find that your headaches are becoming increasingly worse over time, or that it interferes with your daily routine or that it does not respond to any pain medication, then you need to consult a doctor.
Headaches post-injury: If you find that you are experiencing headaches after an injury then consult a doctor. Neurologists are especially well-placed to diagnose potential damage to nerves.
Headaches with other neurological symptoms: You have headaches accompanied by blurred vision or weakness on one side of the body. This could be a serious concern that needs the immediate attention of a neurologist.
Consulting a Neurologist
Neurologists specialise in the treatment of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This way, neurologists are in the best position to investigate the health of your nerves. Before you see a neurologist, it may be useful to try and study the patterns of your headache to help your neurologist to diagnose and treat you better. Here are a few tips to help understand the patterns of your headache.
Observe factors that make your headache begin and what helps it to go away.
External factors that worsen the headache - like light and sound.
Activities or food prior to the headache.
Correlation to your menstrual cycle.
Any other debilitating symptoms such as blurred vision.
Some common forms of headache that have a neurological basis or effect:
Migraines: Migraines are throbbing and pulsating pain that people experience on one side of the head, usually coupled with nausea or vomiting, blurred vision and can last for up to 2-4 days.
Vertigo: Feeling of dizziness or a sensation of everything spinning. Some vertigo may have neurological causes and can be examined for by a neurologist.
Meningitis: While meningitis is caused by infection, it can have neurological symptoms including headaches due to the inflammation of membranes in the nervous system. If you are experiencing a severe and sudden headache accompanied by high fever and a stiff neck, consult a neurologist immediately.
Treatment
It is best to take a consultation with a hospital that can provide the services of the best neurosurgeon even if you most likely will not need it. But when you have the best neurosurgeon in consultation, you can rest assured that all possible causes for your headaches are being explored.
You are best advised to book a consultation with a competent neurology department as is found in the Park Hospitals. If you are searching for a neurologist in Gurgaon, Park hospital is the best neurology hospital in Palam Vihar and the best neurologist in Gurgaon. You can be rest assured at Park Hospital to receive the best care and support for your health.
