Is the Diagnosis Migraines or Another Medical Condition?
There are many conditions that can cause
headaches. Sometimes, these
headaches may signify a serious condition, such as
meningitis,
encephalitis, or
temporal arteritis. The healthcare provider will consider these conditions when the headache is new or clearly different from other headaches experienced in the past.
For people with headaches that have occurred for years (known as chronic headaches), the healthcare provider will consider other conditions. Besides
migraines, some other possible causes of chronic headaches include:
When to Visit Your Healthcare Provider
Nearly half of the people in the United States who have
migraines do not get diagnosed and treated. The National Headache Foundation suggests that you talk with your healthcare provider about your headaches if:
- You have several headaches per month and each lasts for several hours or days
- Your headaches disrupt your home, work, or school life
- You have nausea, vomiting, vision problems, or other sensory problems.
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