When Should Headaches Warrant A Visit To The Neurologist?

Posted on: 1 April 2022

Most people have headaches on occasion. It does not necessarily mean anything terrible is wrong. People get headaches when they are tired, dehydrated, or simply suffering from allergies. Sometimes, though, headaches can be caused by a more serious underlying neurological condition than needs to be diagnosed and treated. How do you know your headaches warrant a visit to the neurologist? Here are some signs.

You’re Slurring Your Speech or Having Trouble Talking

Sometimes a headache may be accompanied by trouble with speech. You may feel like your voice is coming out funny, like the words are slurred, or you have to think way harder than usual to figure out what words to say. This can actually be a sign that you're suffering from a migraine, rather than a simple headache. Migraines can be incredibly debilitating, but there are medications that can reduce their frequency and severity. Treatment starts with a visit to your neurologist for a diagnosis.

The Headache Is Far Worse Than Any You’ve Experienced Before

If you suddenly have a headache that is way worse than any other you've had, or that could be described as "the worst headache of your life," this should be cause for concern. It's possible that the headache is due to normal causes like dehydration, but there's also a possibility that you have something deeper going on, like a blood clot, aneurysm, or brain tumor. Get it checked out before you have another bad headache.

You Have Numbness Somewhere

When you have a headache, you should always pay close attention to how the rest of the body feels. If you feel any numbness or tingling anywhere, then this could be a sign of nerve impingement, which could be due to a brain tumor, blood clot, or another ailment. Sometimes patients do not make the connection if the numbness is in the feet or hands, but if the symptom occurs during a headache, there probably is a connection.

Dizziness

If you feel like you cannot stand up or like the world is spinning when you have a headache, this means something bigger might be going on. You could have high blood pressure contributing to your headache, or you may be having migraines without realizing it. A neurologist will get to the bottom of it.

While headaches can be benign, they can also be a sign of something more sinister. If you're at all worried about your headaches, you should see a neurology specialist sooner rather than later. 

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