Amelia Grant

Headaches occur. Unfortunately, for some people, they occur frequently. But when are recurrent headaches caused by a habit that you can detect and modify on your own, and when do they require medical attention?

It's critical to understand when to visit a doctor about headaches since they're not a little inconvenience that affects your day for an hour or two and then goes away. Headaches can be chronic, debilitating, and have an impact on your quality of life. They can also be an indication of an underlying health condition that needs care.

What Сauses a Headache?
Science doesn’t completely prove why headaches occur. We know that headaches are caused by interactions between nerves, blood vessels, and muscles in and around the head or neck, which cause the nerves to communicate pain, but the specific process is unknown.

While the underlying cause may be somewhat opaque, we know that various circumstances might induce the daily headache, including:

Stress;
Poor sleep;
Dehydration;
Alcohol;
Too much screen time;
Poor posture;
Caffeine (either too much or too little).

A headache may usually be traced back to one of these causes, although not always. Furthermore, while headaches are rarely a cause for concern, they might occasionally indicate an underlying health condition. This is why it's critical to consult a headache doctor near me if you're experiencing headaches.

5 Signs It's Time to See a Doctor About Your Headaches

When should you consult a doctor for your headaches? Read below.

1. Your headaches do not get better after using over-the-counter pain medicines.

Perhaps you're aware that there are several sorts of headaches, but did you know that each type is best alleviated in a different way? Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can ease tension headaches, but they are less likely to assist with migraines or cluster headaches. Your doctor can help you determine the sort of headache you're having and advise you on how to treat or perhaps prevent it.

2. Your headaches are harming your sleep, activity level, and work

If your headaches are interfering with your daily life, it's time to take action. Stress and a lack of sleep can create headaches, which can then cause poor sleep and stress, resulting in a cycle of recurrent headaches that affect your daily life.

You can't always get rid of the stresses that are triggering your headaches, but your doctor can offer stress-relieving activities that can help break the pattern, such as deep breathing exercises and other good habits that can boost your mood.

3. You are experiencing regular headaches and are unable to identify a trigger

Sometimes you might pinpoint a specific activity that is causing your headaches, such as not drinking enough water. However, not all headache triggers are immediately evident, and your doctor can assist you in identifying the more subtle causes of headaches.

While tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cluster headaches are classified as main headaches, a secondary headache occurs when the headache is caused by an underlying health condition. For example, certain vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin D insufficiency, can cause headaches, and detecting such a deficit requires blood tests.

4. Your headaches occur more frequently or become more severe

Another reason to contact a doctor if your headaches are worsening is that they might be an indication of something more serious. A headache can indicate a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure and life-threatening illness. Always visit your doctor if you get regular or severe headaches.

5. You need help managing your headaches

Pain medicines and home treatments for headaches, such as drinking lots of water and getting enough sleep, are not always adequate.

Consultation with a neurologist is the first step in deciding if you might benefit from prescription migraine medication. It is also possible to cause headaches by using headache drugs for an extended period of time, a condition known as rebound headache. A neurologist can help you choose which drugs you should and should not be taking.

Cluster headaches are often treated by a neurologist.

In rare situations, a headache might be a medical emergency. Seek quick medical assistance if your headache:

- Comes on unexpectedly and rapidly gets severe;
- Alongside severe headache, you experience stiff neck, fever, seizures, disorientation, or personality changes;
- Begins immediately following an accident, especially a head injury;
- Combines with weakness, numbness, or eyesight abnormalities.