Preparing for a Healthcare Visit for Your Headache

When you see your healthcare provider for a headache evaluation, it can be extremely helpful if you are able to relay your symptoms in an orderly and logical format.

Here are some questions you can expect your healthcare provider to ask you. Writing down or simply thinking about your answers ahead of time can ensure your healthcare provider has all the information they need to make a proper diagnosis. 

What Does Your Pain Feel Like?

Use your own words to describe your headache pain. For example, think over whether your pain is sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, prickly, or burning in quality. Use whatever words come to mind, as there is no right or wrong answer here. 

It's also a good idea to rate your pain. On a pain scale, "1" is considered very mild pain and "10" is the worst pain you’ve ever experienced. Of course, if you are having the worst headache of your life, you should seek emergency medical attention.

When Did the Pain Start?

Consider what you are typically doing when your headaches begin, like do they occur in the morning when you wake up or in the early afternoon before lunchtime.

See if you can recall other pertinent details, like if your headaches are associated with certain foods, or if they occur after a night of drinking alcohol. In addition to food triggers, it's sensible to write down your sleep schedule, and whether any of your headaches are linked to stress, such as starting a new job or getting into a fight with a partner. Your healthcare provider may also ask if you have a history of concussion.

Noticing if migraines arise after certain patterns is important intel, along with checking your own family history to see if anyone else in your circle has experienced similar symptoms.

If your headaches are stopping and starting, be sure to include any medications you use to treat your headaches (including dosages). This meticulous recording can be extremely helpful; sometimes a headache trigger pops up in your diary entries that you least expected. 

Where is Your Headache Located?

The location of your headache can help a healthcare provider pinpoint your diagnosis, although usually more information is needed to put the whole picture together.

Some headaches occur on one side of the head (migraines tend to do this, but not always) and others involve the entire head, like a tension headache.

Another primary headache disorder that is rarer than migraines or tension-type headaches is a cluster headache. Cluster headaches are extremely painful and generally occur around one eye and/or temple. 

What Seems to Help the Pain? What Makes it Worse?

It may surprise you to hear that what helps or worsens your headache can help your healthcare provider clinch the diagnosis. For example, migraines often get better with sleep, especially in a dark, quiet room, and they often worsen with loud noises, bright light, and physical activity.

Moreover, both migraines and tension-type headaches often improve with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (although moderate to severe migraines may not). It's important to share with your healthcare provider which medications you've tried so far.

Does the Pain Travel Anywhere Else?

Healthcare professionals like to know if your pain “travels.” For instance, some headaches start in the neck and seem to reach all the way to the forehead. Other times, people note their headaches start on the right side but then move to the left side. A cluster headache may start behind the eye but then send sharp pain elsewhere in the head.

What Other Symptoms Do You Get with Your Headache?

Besides your headache, it is important to articulate what else you are feeling. For example, nausea is common in people with migraines. While it may also occur in people with tension-type headaches, nausea tends to be more severe with a migraine and may be associated with vomiting.

People with migraines also tend to be way more wiped out (for example, not able to work) whereas a person with a tension-type headache can generally get on with their day. 

You should also tell your healthcare provider if you develop an aura before experiencing a headache. An aura commonly affects your vision and may be described as seeing flashing lights or a blind spot. Less commonly, auras can affect your motor function (motor aura) or result in nerve tingling (sensory aura). Auras occur with migraines.

Other symptoms associated with headaches (and there are a lot—again, tell the healthcare provider how you feel, not what you see on a list) include:

• Emotional changes or food cravings prior to a headache
• Colds hands or feet
• Diarrhea
• Yawning
• Body aches
• Difficulty thinking

Warning Signs to Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Some severe medical issues, such as meningitis and stroke, can cause headaches. If you experience headache warning signs (for example, an abrupt, severe headache or a headache with a fever or neurological symptoms), please seek emergent medical attention. 

A Word From Verywell

It's helpful to come to your healthcare provider prepared. Sometimes jotting down notes is a good idea so you don't forget anything. Just be honest and don't hold back. Remain relaxed and share your story.