“Should I go to a doctor for a headache?”
I am a 23 year old female and I have bad headaches. Should I go to a doctor for a headache?
4 Answers
You might. If it is unusual, accompanied by fever or chills, vision changes, it does not go away after taking an analgesic like aspirin, or it is "the worst headache you have ever had," then you should see a doctor.
William Z. Cohen, M.D., FAAFP
William Z. Cohen, M.D., FAAFP
Per Gunnar Brolinson
Family Practitioner
Hello,
If you have new onset of headache and it’s not been previously evaluated by a doctor you should be seen and have a full evaluation.
Best,
P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO
If you have new onset of headache and it’s not been previously evaluated by a doctor you should be seen and have a full evaluation.
Best,
P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO
Headaches can be from simple stress that cause neck or scalp muscles to knot up. Or a headache can be from something more complicated like a brain tumor, which can be very rare indeed. Either way, you can either book a non-urgent, elective appointment for evaluation with your primary care doctor, or wait until you are in the middle of the next headache and head to the emergency room. The doctor should spend a lot of time asking you multiple questions about headaches. Here are just a few questions:
How long you have had them?
How high does your pain go up?
Is the pain sharp or dull, constant or occasional?
Does anything trigger them?
What is associated with them?
Do you get nauseated or throw up?
Any vision changes?
The physical exam is very important, as the doctor may find it necessary to order a CT or MRI. Unless you have fevers or a stiff neck, no one should want to put a needle in your back to inspect the fluid around your brain and spinal cord for infection. If the scan is perfectly normal, you can stop worrying about a brain tumor, which is a big relief! If the scan shows a tumor or a lesion causing extra fluid on the brain, you should be evaluated by a neurosurgeon. Continued headaches deserve an evaluation by a neurologist who specializes in headaches. You can find a local and good one through your PCP, and/or check for a local doctor with high ratings on Yelp.
How long you have had them?
How high does your pain go up?
Is the pain sharp or dull, constant or occasional?
Does anything trigger them?
What is associated with them?
Do you get nauseated or throw up?
Any vision changes?
The physical exam is very important, as the doctor may find it necessary to order a CT or MRI. Unless you have fevers or a stiff neck, no one should want to put a needle in your back to inspect the fluid around your brain and spinal cord for infection. If the scan is perfectly normal, you can stop worrying about a brain tumor, which is a big relief! If the scan shows a tumor or a lesion causing extra fluid on the brain, you should be evaluated by a neurosurgeon. Continued headaches deserve an evaluation by a neurologist who specializes in headaches. You can find a local and good one through your PCP, and/or check for a local doctor with high ratings on Yelp.
Yes
