What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Headache Specialists

If you suffer from frequent headaches, then you need to see a doctor for migraines right away- You might be having migraine attacks, or other chronic headaches. Knowing which kind of doctor to see for migraines and headaches depends on your pain symptoms and specific needs for migraine treatment.

What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines?

Part II: Headache Specialists

Migraine headaches strike millions of Americans with debilitating symptoms like sharp head pain, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Literally hundreds of migraine triggers exist that may set off chronic headaches and the only way to prevent migraine attacks is to determine what those triggers are. Unfortunately, many primary care physicians are at a loss to determine the exact cause of migraines, and may refer you to a migraine headache specialist.

Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere

What is a headache specialist?

A headache specialist is any doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating chronic headaches, including migraine headaches, cluster headaches, rebound headaches, sinus headaches, and tension headaches. The term “headache specialist” is not a medically accredited category, but refers to a physician who has dedicated his practice to curing patients of migraine illness.

What are the advantages of seeing a headache specialist?

It can be difficult to find the right doctor for migraines; since funding for migraine research is lacking, there is little incentive for physicians to commit themselves to finding a cure for migraines. As a result, migraine specialists are few and far between. Still, there are many advantages to seeking a skilled migraine specialist:

Migraine specialists are privy to the latest developments in migraine research and potential treatments.
Headache specialists have a deeper understanding of migraine headache disorder than primary care doctors do.
Because a headache specialist treats patients with different kinds of chronic headaches, he is more familiar with various headache symptoms, and thus more likely to diagnose your headache type correctly and suggest proper medication.
Migraine headache specialists tend to understand the specific personal needs of their patients than physicians who are not specialists in the field of migraine headache disorder.
A headache specialist is more likely to extend after-hours care for severe migraine attacks.

How can I find a good headache specialist?

Ask a trusted physician or any friends with migraines to refer you to a headache specialist, preferably one who is a member of the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH). Alternatively, some excellent web sites for migraine patients can recommend a headache doctor in your area. Here are a few:

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