{"id":3547,"date":"2018-06-08T15:20:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T20:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=3547"},"modified":"2022-01-13T21:39:34","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T03:39:34","slug":"how-to-know-if-you-need-to-see-a-specialist-for-headaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/how-to-know-if-you-need-to-see-a-specialist-for-headaches\/","title":{"rendered":"When should you see a specialist for your headaches?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many people, headaches are more than an occasional inconvenience. If you suffer from frequent or severe headaches, the problem can seriously harm your quality of life and interfere with your ability to function.<\/p>\n

\n

Tired of headaches?<\/p>\n

Start with a primary care provider<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Frequent tension headaches, brutal migraines or excruciating cluster headaches can leave sufferers feeling helpless against the pain (learn to tell the difference HERE<\/a>). While headache disorders cannot be cured, they can be managed effectively.<\/p>\n

If you suffer from regular headaches, severe headaches or both, a specialist can help you manage the issue by finding the best preventive treatment to reduce the frequency and identifying the treatment that works best for you when a headache occurs. That treatment could include physical therapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But how do you know if you need to see a specialist?<\/p>\n

Frequency and intensity<\/h2>\n

As a general rule, if you have a headache requiring a pain reliever more than five days per month, it\u2019s a good idea to see either your primary care physician or a specialist for evaluation and treatment. That\u2019s according to Hrachya Nersesyan, MD<\/a>, a neurologist and the director of the OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute Headache and Craniofacial Pain Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you have fewer than four per month, you probably don\u2019t need to see a specialist unless they are either severe migraines or cluster headaches that keep you from participating in your daily activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the headache<\/a> management plan is simple, the doctor will give some simple directions and you will never need to worry about it again,\u201d Dr. Nersesyan said. \u201cPeople who have more than 15 headache days a month for more than two months, regardless of the type of headache, most definitely need to see a specialist.\u201d<\/p>\n

New and promising treatments for migraine should be available soon, Dr. Nersesyan said. So, if headaches are affecting your quality of life and most current treatments have failed, ask your doctor to see a headache specialist.<\/p>\n

General tips for dealing with headaches<\/h2>\n

Regardless of whether seeking a specialist is right for you, there are several things everyone can do help.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Get regular, good quality sleep<\/li>\n
  • Stay hydrated<\/li>\n
  • Eat regularly<\/li>\n
  • Maintain a healthy diet<\/li>\n
  • Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine<\/li>\n
  • Engage in regular physical activity<\/li>\n
  • Manage your weight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    For many people, headaches are more than an occasional inconvenience. If you suffer from frequent or severe headaches, the problem can seriously harm your quality of life and interfere with your ability to function. Tired of headaches? Start with a primary care provider Frequent tension headaches, brutal migraines or excruciating cluster headaches can leave sufferers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":3616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[99,129],"tags":[374,801,755],"coauthors":[692],"class_list":["post-3547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-neurosciences","category-miscellaneous","tag-headache","tag-migraine","tag-osf-ini"],"yoast_head":"\nWhen should you see a specialist for your headaches?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Frequent tension headaches, brutal migraines or excruciating cluster headaches can leave you feeling helpless against the pain.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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