Finding A Migraine Doctor
We all experience headaches from time to time and for most of us, they are fairly mild and short lived. In fact, nothing to worry about. But what if you are having headaches that are severe and debilitating? They are accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light. They last for hours and all you want to do is stay in a darkened room until they go away.
Now it is not trivial. In fact it is frightening. It could migraine or it could be something worse. You need a proper diagnosis, but where do you start. Your first option should always be your own doctor. If you have seen your doctor often, you should have developed a relationship of trust. He or she should be able to explain the possibilities and hopefully put your mind at rest. But it is also reassuring to know that you have a doctor who understands migraine.
Migraine is not an uncommon condition. It is thought to effect 30 million people in the US alone. The chances are that most doctors will have come across patients with the condition. If migraine is the diagnosis, you may be offered treatment solutions straight away. But it could be that your doctor doesn’t feel confident to offer a diagnosis or does not take your problem seriously, (Which could mean that you should find a new doctor).
In either of these cases, a referral to a specialist may be required. If your doctor doesn’t know of anyone in your area, you could try your medical insurance company. They will usually maintain a list of specialists in various fields. You can also try your local medical board. Professional associations for neurological specialists should be able to give you contact details for people in your area.
Do not rule out word of mouth. Friends and family may know of someone who has had a good experience with a headache doctor and would recommend them. The same goes for bad experiences. There may be someone it is advisable to avoid. It is still a good idea to check them out further for yourself. Once you have a few possibilities, you can call them yourself and ask them a few questions.
Some questions you may like to begin with are:-
* For how long have you specialized in the area of headache treatment and how many headache patients do you see? * Do you have certification for your specialty (for doctors in the U.S. and Canada)? * Do you have membership of any relevant professional organizations? * Do you take part in continuing education to keep up to date with the latest research on the causes of migraine and best practice for treatment?
A doctor who is unwilling to set your mind at rest about his competence might be one to avoid. Migraine can be hell to live with and medical treatment is very expensive. You have a right to expect the best possible care. When finding a migraine doctor, it is worth a little research to make sure you are in the right hands.
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