A small headache every now and then may not warrant a trip to the doctor’s office. But what about when you start to experience headaches more frequently? Or headaches become so painful and unbearable that all you want to do is hide in a dark room? In general, mild or infrequent headaches can be discussed with your primary care physician. However, more severe headaches that affect your ability to function or think clearly may require a neurologist. If you are experiencing painful, debilitating headaches then you may want to see a doctor of neurology in San Antonio near you.
Sometimes a headache may be caused by a long day of staring at a computer screen, or after time spent outdoors during allergy season. You will likely notice the difference between mild, one-time headaches versus headaches that don’t seem to leave you alone for long. Here are three signs that you should visit a neurologist for your headaches:
If Your Headaches Disrupt Your Daily Routines
Headaches that occur more than once a week and affect your ability to go about your day may be a sign of something serious going on. When a headache disrupts your daily routine because of how much pain and discomfort you are experiencing, it’s time to visit a neurologist. You may not be able to pinpoint the start of your headaches, like a specific car accident injury where you may have hurt your head. However, if a headache is making it difficult for you to go about your day without reaching for pain medicine or changing your plans then a neurologist can help.
If You Rely on Headache Medications Frequently
You may take over-the-counter pain medications every now and then for a painful headache or sore muscles after a tough workout. But if you start relying on pain medications to help you with frequent headache pain then something isn’t right. It is especially important to pay attention to headaches that may not seem to get better after taking pain medications. Headaches that get worse over time, even with some at-home interventions like medicine, rest, or stretches, are likely your body’s way of signaling to you that there’s an issue.
If Your Headaches Come with Other Symptoms
Painful, debilitating headaches can sometimes come with other uncomfortable side effects. This may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and blurry vision. In the most severe cases, a headache may cause temporary loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms regularly with your headaches that occur multiple times a week then you should talk to a neurologist. You should also call your doctor of neurology in San Antonio if you notice a fever when you have these debilitating headaches.
Types of Headaches
There are many types of headaches and some can be more painful and unbearable than others. Some headaches, like caffeine headaches or sinus headaches, tend to be a symptom of something else going on, like withdrawal from caffeine or aggravated sinuses due to allergies. Other types of headaches, like cluster headaches and migraines, can last for long periods of time and come with very uncomfortable side effects. Cluster headaches may feel like a piercing pain or burning sensation, sometimes behind one of your eyes. You may notice swelling, sweating, eye tearing, or even congestion along with cluster headaches. This type of headache experience may come with two or three headaches a day and can occur for days or weeks at a time. Migraines, on the other hand, often feel like a deep throbbing sensation in your head that makes even the smallest of movements uncomfortable. People who struggle with migraines often experience sensitivity to light and sound, and increased sensitivity to these can even be a sign that you have a migraine on the way.
How a Neurologist Can Help with Headaches
When you visit a doctor of neurology in San Antonio for headache relief, they will want to talk with you about your headache experiences, the types of symptoms you experience, as well as the frequency and intensity of the headaches. A neurologist will also run a series of neurological tests to determine what type of headache is affecting you so they can treat the source of the pain. Your neurologist will then create a treatment plan for you that will help prevent your headaches from returning. If you are looking for a neurologist in San Antonio, book an appointment or visit ProCare Medical Center and meet our expert neurology doctors today!
