One of the significant symptoms of migraine is a change in vision. It could be a result of the loss of vision to a certain extent or development of sensitivity to light. Therefore, it is important to undergo an eye exam. This is another way to rule out an eye disorder that may be the probable cause of the headache. Head pain has always been a motivator for people to seek eye examinations. An eye exam is conducted by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. He would probably prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the vision disorder. On the other hand, an ophthalmologist is the medical doctor who is specialized in treating complex eye disorders in both surgical and non surgical ways. After considering the medical history, the doctor will check the vision. Particular machines with lights and magnifying devices are used to examine the different areas of the eye.

The headache diagnosis may include an interview with a psychologist. This is generally recommended to identify stress factors that trigger the frequent headaches. It involves completion of a computerized questionnaire and helps the psychologist to gather in depth information for the reference of the doctor. After these results along with the headache history of the patient are evaluated, the doctor determines the headache type. This is a great way to identify the probable cause and complications that may occur if not treated. There is a high probability that the doctor may recommend additional tests to get a clearer picture of the same.

A lumbar puncture is a headache diagnostic test that involves insertion of a needle into the fluid within the spinal canal. It is done to obtain a sample of the fluid for further examination. Along with the diagnosis, it can also be used to treat diseases. Spinal fluid is removed using this test to decrease the spinal fluid pressure in patients with certain uncommon conditions. To perform this test, the patient is asked to lie down. In certain rare cases, it is performed while the patient is sitting. In case of infants, it is done in an upright position. Prior to the test, local anesthesia is injected into the small part of the back. Then, a needle is inserted in between the bony building blocks and into the spinal canal.

MRI test takes the pictures of the head by making use of a magnetic field and pulses of the radio wave energy. One can get a more accurate picture of the condition which an X-ray or CT scan is unable to present. The person is asked to lie with the head inside a scanner having a strong magnet. An MRI test can represent the tissue damage or any other infection, inflammation or a tumor that may exist. It is done to figure out the exact cause of headaches and is done by a technologist. During this test, the person is asked to remove all metal objects from the body as these may be attracted to the powerful magnet.

A Computerized Tomography may be recommended if one is experiencing frequent headaches. This test helps the doctor to rule out other causes of headaches. These causes may include brain tumor, abscess, hydrocephalus, sinus blockage, injuries or aneurysm. This test is not efficient to diagnose migraines. It is a painless test in which a patient is required to lie on the scanning table. It is important to inform the doctor about any prior allergic reaction that the patient has been diagnosed with. A CT scanner uses X-rays for conducting the test. It is important for the expecting mothers to inform the same to the doctor to avoid any harm to the developing baby. Problems may be felt if one is not lying in the correct position on the examining table.

This is recommended if the patient is suspected to suffer from an infection which is causing the headache. Blood tests are considered to be most reliable as they give a clear picture of an elevated white blood cell count in the patient’s body. This further assists the medical practitioner to get an idea of an infection that may persist in the body. The doctor may prescribe an erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This test is recommended for those who are older than 65 years of age and is done to test for Temporal Arteritis. It is a disease that leads to an inflammation of the arteries in the temple.

Another blood test that may be recommended for headache diagnosis is the A C-reactive protein test, which measures the content of abnormal protein in the body.

Knowing the medical history and conducting physical examination is the initial step to determine the accurate cause of secondary headaches. The medical professional must be provided with the appropriate information so that he can get a clear picture and recommend further tests or treatment as per the requirement. It is recommended to consult a doctor soon if one is experiencing constant severe headaches. Moreover, neurological tests are conducted to rule out other diseases that might be the reason for headaches, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other cerebrovascular diseases.