When to see a neurologist for headaches

The average headache doesn’t require a call to a neurologist or even your family doctor. But if you’re experiencing frequent headaches and using medication for them regularly, that’s a different story.

If you have a history of headaches that come once or twice a month and go away when you take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Aleve), you may not need to seek further treatment, says Sandhya Kumar, MD, a neurologist and headache specialist at Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

“If you’re having headaches more than four times a month, especially if they are debilitating and keeping you home from work, you should see a provider for diagnosis and medication,” says Dr.

Kumar.

Signs That You Should See a Neurologist for Your Headaches

As a general rule, for nonsevere headaches, your family doctor is a great person to start with. Approximately 7 out of 10 people talk to their primary care doctor first, according to the American Headache Society.

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