The ways of determining the reason for a headache at the health center

We’ve already discussed the ways of self-diagnosis, but how is the reason for a headache usually determined at the health center?

1. A general practitioner examines you, takes the temperature and blood pressure, and excludes the pathologies of internal organs.
2. A neurologist examines you and diagnoses possible features of the nervous system pathologies.
3. Consultation with an ophthalmologist who must examine the fundus of the eye.
4. Blood test and urinalysis.
5. A lumbar puncture may be performed if necessary.
6. Carotid ultrasonography.
7. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head, cervical spine (including angiography if necessary).
8. Depending on indications, other additional examinations and consultations with other medical specialists (an endocrinologist, neurosurgeon, angiosurgeon, manual therapist, acupuncturist, oncologist, etc.) may be administered.

A headache is often (in 80% of cases) caused by muscular tension (fatigue, stress, an uncomfortable position of the head during sleep, cervical (neck) osteochondrosis) or by transient vascular dysfunctions which happen during vegetative-vascular dystonia and migraine.