Diagnosing Chronic Headaches
Chronic headaches are a condition where a person experiences headache for 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months. It includes various types of headaches such as chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, and medication overuse headaches.
To diagnose chronic headaches and understand the cause and impact of them, doctors may use several examinations, tests, and procedures. These can help confirm a diagnosis and identify factors or indicators of the condition. Here are some of the common ones:
- Physical exam: Your doctor may perform a physical exam to assess your overall health and check for any specific signs related to chronic headaches.
- Medical history: Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your headaches, including when they started, how often they occur, the characteristics of the pain, triggers or worsening factors, aura symptoms (if any), and any history of preventive medications.
- International classification of headache disorders (ICHD-3): Medical professionals use this classification system to compare your symptoms with specific criteria for different types of headaches. This helps in accurately diagnosing your specific type of chronic headache.
- Migraine questionnaire: Doctors may ask you to complete a standardized questionnaire about your symptoms and medical history. This can provide additional insight into your condition.
- Imaging tests: In some cases, doctors may recommend imaging tests like a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the head. These tests help rule out other underlying causes for your headaches, such as brain tumors or hemorrhages.
- Blood and urine tests: If an underlying condition is suspected as the cause of your chronic headaches, doctors may recommend blood and urine tests to check for infections or toxins that could be contributing to the headaches.
- Neurological exams: A neurological exam assesses your nervous system function and helps doctors evaluate any abnormalities that may be related to your chronic headaches.
- Lumbar puncture: In certain situations, a lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap) may be performed to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid for any signs of infection or inflammation.
Specialists involved in diagnosing chronic headaches may include:
- Primary care doctor: They may conduct initial evaluations and refer you to specialists if needed.
- Neurologist: These doctors specialize in conditions affecting the nervous system and are often involved in diagnosing and managing chronic headaches.
- Headache specialist: Some healthcare providers specialize specifically in treating headache disorders and can provide expert guidance on diagnosis and treatment options.
Remember that these examinations, tests, and procedures are used by healthcare professionals to diagnose chronic headaches accurately. It's important to consult with your doctor for personalized advice and treatment recommendations based on your specific situation.