Have you been considering whether you should discuss your headaches with your doctor, or whether it is abnormal that your headaches are affecting your ability to work and your social life? Here is neurologist Signe Bruun Munksgaard's best advice on what questions you should ask yourself before your first doctor's appointment to be as well-prepared as possible.
“If you experience recurring headaches and you don't get good results from the over-the-counter medication you take to get rid of the headache, then I think you should go to the doctor for some advice.” You typically have a short amount of time for your consultation with the doctor. Therefore, it can often be both nice and advantageous to have prepared how best to describe the symptoms you are experiencing to your doctor. It can be a good idea to consider:
“It can be a good idea to give some thought to what you want to get out of the conversation with your GP. Are you showing up because you are worried? Do you want to explore the possibility of starting medical treatment? Do you want to discuss how you have experienced changes in your headaches? It can often be easier to get the most out of your consultation with your doctor if you have considered in advance what questions you would like answered. Depending on how familiar you are with your headache, and whether it is something you have previously discussed with your GP, you could also appropriately consider discussing the possibility of getting a referral to a practicing neurologist or headache specialist who is an expert in the field.”
“If you suddenly start experiencing other symptoms alongside your headache, such as dizziness or difficulty speaking, you should seek medical attention immediately. It is essential to investigate whether there is a connection to your headache and to rule out any other causes for these symptoms.”
Are you in doubt about whether you should contact a doctor regarding your headache? Read here, where our neurologist provides her recommendations on when you should seek medical attention.
You can also take our migraine test and get an indication of whether your symptoms match migraine.
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