If you suffer from headaches everyday, then you need to see a doctor for migraines immediately- you might be having migraine attacks, or another form of chronic headaches, like cluster headaches or rebound headaches. If you’ve already seen a primary physician and are not happy with the results, it might be time to find a neurologist for migraine headaches.
What is a neurologist?
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the brain, particularly the nervous system. A competent neurologist treats patients who suffer from a wide range of conditions, including dementia, epilepsy, brain tumors, amnesia, and migraine disorder.
What are the advantages to seeing a neurologist for migraines?
For many migraine sufferers, visiting a neurologist that specializes in chronic headaches is an effective way to stay on top of their migraine symptoms and find out about new advances in migraine treatments.
- By limiting his practice to the treatment of migraines, your neurologist has an in depth understanding of the neurological factors involved in migraine illness.
- A migraine neurologist has the most up-to-date news in migraine treatments, coping mechanisms, and other resources.
- Your neurologist is better able to diagnose migraine symptoms and comorbid conditions.
- By establishing a patient-doctor bond with your neurologist, you will be in a good position to control your migraine triggers, learn how to manage your migraines on your own, make better lifestyle choices, and develop a strategy for preventing migraines that works.
- In addition to prescribing migraine medications, your neurologist might suggest natural migraine ingredients, such as vitamins, and herbs like butterbur, magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10.
Are there any disadvantages to choosing a neurologist?
Choosing the right doctor is always hit or miss; you might find an excellent neurologist that understands your feelings and addresses your needs on the first visit, but it’s more likely that you will have to shop around.
- First, ask up front if your neurologist treats migraine patients. Many neurologists reserve their time for individuals with other brain disorders, but not migraine disorder.
- It’s possible that after the first visit, your doctor will tell you that your symptoms are not severe enough, and that he only treats migraine patients who experience migraine attacks on a more regular basis- assuming you get an initial appointment at all.
- There are millions of migraine patients in the US, but only a handful of neurologists specializing in the field of chronic headaches and facial pain. This is likely because there is very little government funding devoted to migraine research; as a result, there is little incentive for a doctor wishing to advance himself in medicine to choose migraine illness as his specialty.
Where can I find a headache specialist or neurologist in my area?
The internet is a great place to connect with other migraine sufferers and migraine advocacy groups. Here are a few sites that have search engines for locating a doctor to treat your migraines:
U.S. Regional Migraine & Headache Clinics
Find a Healthcare Professional
Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists
Read more about migraine treatments:
What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Headache Specialists
What kind of Doctor should I see for Migraines? Primary Care Physicians
Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere
Sources:
Johns Hopkins Neurology/Neurosurgery- Headache Center- Migraine Headache
Which Doctors Provide Migraine Treatment?
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