Guest Author - Nicole Miller

Unfortunately, many cases of chronic tension headaches and migraine go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed by a primary care physician, preventing sufferers from finding effective treatments. You may not seek help for chronic tension headache assuming there is little to be done about recurring head pain. Similarly, migraine sufferers often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed as suffering from tension headaches. Often, a neurologist can help properly diagnose head pain and find effective, lasting treatments.

Put simply, a neurologist is a brain doctor. Neurologists are doctors that specialize in disorders and diseases of the nervous system, which of course includes the brain. And since headaches and migraines are diseases that affect the brain, you may want to consider seeing a neurologist if you continue to suffer chronic head pain or migraines and your primary care physician has been unable to help. You can find neurologists listed under “specialists” in your health insurance plan provider directory, in the telephone book, or talk to your physician about a referral (you may need one for insurance anyway). A board-certified neurologist has additional education and residency training. Board-certification information and a member directory are available on the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology website (www.abpn.net).

At a first visit, you can expect the doctor to perform several neurological screening exams such as feeling your head and neck, testing neck flexibility, or testing balance, memory, and other cognitive skills. He or she will also likely ask you a series of questions related to any head or neck injuries you may have suffered, your sleep habits, illnesses, psychological and physical health, alcohol use, and prescriptions you are taking. The doctor will also ask about previous treatment you’ve received if any. These screening tests and questions will help the doctor determine if and what other tests should be done. Common diagnostic tests that are requested by neurologists include CAT scans, MRI, and EEG. Each of these tests further helps the doctor properly diagnose the cause of head pain and develop an effective treatment plan.

After diagnosis, your neurologist may prescribe preventative medications that you take before a headache strikes or suggest other preemptive treatments. He or she will probably also prescribe medications to be taken in the event you do get a headache or migraine. Pay careful attention to special instructions that come with your prescriptions as these medications often have limits on the total dosage or number of consecutive days you can take them. Your neurologist should work closely with your primary care physician and/or psychiatrist when prescribing a series of medications, but always be sure he or she has a current list of your prescriptions to ensure there are no unwanted or dangerous drug interactions or side effects. You want to prevent and treat headaches, not create new ones.