Why You Should See a Neurologist for Migraine
- A neurologist will probably assess your medical history, do a physical examination, and run a few neurological tests when you visit them for a headache. Depending on your symptoms, other tests could be done, which might include:
- CT scan: To identify any structural issues, hemorrhage, spinal issues, or tumors that may be the source of your headaches, your doctor can recommend a CT scan of your head.
- MRI: If you have suffered a head injury that may be the source of your headaches or if your doctor thinks you may have a tumor or structural issue, an MRI may be ordered.
- An electroencephalogram, or EEG for short, is a test that gauges brain waves. To monitor brain activity, electrodes are applied to the scalp. It aids in the diagnosis of epilepsy as well as other neurological conditions such as stroke, inflammation, head injury-related brain damage, sleep problems, and brain dysfunction.
Exams of the eyes: A neurologist could examine your eyes to look for indications of a concussion or other neurological injury that might be the source of your headaches.
Spinal tap: A spinal tap is often referred to as a CSF test or a lumbar puncture. In this test, medical professionals take a little sample of spinal fluid to evaluate its consistency, color, and quality. This test can assist medical professionals in locating tumors or infections.
X-rays of your sinuses may be required if your doctor believes you have a sinus infection or that persistent sinus issues are the source of your headaches.
Lab tests Your doctor may prescribe certain lab tests, such as blood tests or urinalysis, depending on the severity of your headaches and other associated symptoms. These tests are often performed to confirm or rule out medical illnesses that may be causing your headaches, such as thyroid disease or diabetes.
A neurologist has the tools and tests available to diagnose and treat whatever the underlying problem is, even though your doctor might be able to identify the reason for your headaches.
Treatment for migraines aims to reduce symptoms and guard against further episodes. There are two major groups of medications used to treat migraines: drugs that reduce pain. These medications, sometimes referred to as acute or abortive therapy, are administered during migraine attacks and are intended to halt symptoms. preventative drugs. To lessen the severity or frequency of migraines, several kinds of medications are frequently used daily.
Your treatment options depend on your medical history, the frequency and intensity of your headaches, if you have nausea or vomiting along with them, how incapacitating they are, and other illnesses you may have.
How to Cure Migraine Permanently
- Medications used to relieve migraine pain work best when taken at the first sign of an oncoming migraine — as soon as signs and symptoms of a migraine begin.
- Migraine relief medications that combine caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen (Excedrin Migraine) may be helpful, but usually only against mild migraine pain.
- Prescription drugs such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra) and rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) are used to treat migraine because they block pain pathways in the brain.
- Taken as pills, shots, or nasal sprays, they can relieve many symptoms of migraine.
- Available as a nasal spray or injection, this drug is most effective when taken shortly after the start of migraine symptoms for migraines that tend to last longer than 24 hours.
- Side effects can include worsening migraine-related vomiting and nausea.
- People with coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or kidney or liver disease should avoid dihydroergotamine.
- This newer oral tablet is approved for the treatment of migraine with or without aura.
In drug trials, lasmiditan significantly improved headache pain. - Lasmiditan can have a sedative effect and cause dizziness, so people taking it are advised not to drive or operate machinery for at least eight hours.
- Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) – This oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist is approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
