A man sits in a chair, rubbing his temples in pain from a headache, with a glass of water and a pill bottle on a table.

When Should You See a Neurologist for Headaches?

Headaches can range from occasional discomfort to chronic or disabling neurological conditions, and not all headaches are benign or “just stress.” As part of our comprehensive Head & Brain neurology services, Charis Neurology evaluates headaches that are persistent, worsening, or associated with neurological symptoms — helping patients in Lake Mary and Central Florida understand the cause and next steps for care.

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Our Neurology Services

Signs Headaches May Require Neurological Evaluation

Many headaches are benign and temporary, but some warrant further neurological evaluation. You should consider seeing a neurologist if your headaches:

Are frequent, persistent, or worsening over time
Wake you from sleep or are present upon waking
Are associated with vision changes, weakness, numbness, dizziness,
or confusion
Do not respond to over-the-counter medications
Begin suddenly or feel different from prior headaches
Start after age 50 or following a head injury

These symptoms may represent neurological red flags that require further evaluation. Headaches that are sudden, unusually severe, or very different from your typical pattern — especially when accompanied by confusion, trouble speaking, vision loss, or weakness — should be evaluated urgently.

woman sitting on a sofa in a living room, wincing in pain and shielding her eyes from the bright light of a window

Headache treatment is highly individualized and depends on the type and cause of the headache. A neurologist may recommend:

Preventive strategies to reduce headache frequency
Acute treatment options to manage symptoms when headaches occur
Infusion or advanced therapies for certain headache disorders
Lifestyle and trigger management guidance
Ongoing follow-up to monitor response and adjust treatment as needed

Effective headache care focuses not only on symptom relief, but also on improving long-term quality of life.

man sits at a desk with a laptop, rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort, depicting a tension-type headache

A neurologist’s role is to determine whether a headache represents a primary
headache disorder or is a sign of an underlying neurological condition.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), new headaches—especially after age 40—warrant neurological evaluation. These patterns often indicate migraine, nerve-related headaches, or other neurological conditions that benefit from specialized evaluation as part of a comprehensive head and brain health assessment . If any of these sound familiar, we encourage you not to wait.

Call us (407) 603-1633 or request an appointment online

What Types of Headaches Require Neurological Evaluation?

Neurologists commonly evaluate a wide range of headache conditions, including:

Migraines, with or without aura
Chronic daily headaches
Cluster headaches
Headaches associated with neurological symptoms
Secondary headaches related to neurological, vascular, or structural causes

Migraines are one type of headache, but patients with recurring migraine patterns may benefit from migraine-focused neurological care. Primary headaches such as migraine and chronic daily headache often cause recurrent pain without an underlying structural problem, while secondary headaches are due to another cause such as infection, bleeding, pressure changes, or vascular disease. Clear diagnosis helps your neurologist choose the safest and most effective treatment for your specific headache type. Even when headaches have been present for years, changes in their pattern, severity, or associated symptoms can signal the need for further evaluation.

How Are Headaches Diagnosed by a Neurologist?

A headache evaluation at Charis Neurology begins with a thorough clinical assessment focused on understanding the full picture of your symptoms. This may include:

A detailed review of headache patterns, triggers, and medical history
A comprehensive neurological examination
Brain imaging, such as MRI or CT, when clinically appropriate
Additional testing, such as EEG or laboratory studies, if indicated

The goal is to accurately identify the cause of the headache while avoiding unnecessary testing. Diagnostic testing is used selectively to answer specific neurological questions, not as routine screening. Diagnostic testing is used selectively to answer specific neurological questions, not as routine screening.

How Neurologists Treat Chronic Headaches

The Neurologist’s Role in Headache Care

While many headaches are benign, others can signal underlying neurological or vascular conditions. The role of a neurologist is to distinguish between primary headache disorders and headaches caused by structural, inflammatory, or neurological disease — ensuring patients receive appropriate evaluation and targeted care without unnecessary intervention.

What Happens During a Neurology Headache Evaluation

We believe patients deserve answers — not rushed visits.

Your headache evaluation at Charis Neurology may include:

Step 1: Listening to Your Story

We take time to understand your symptoms, triggers, timeline, and concerns.

Step 2: Comprehensive Neurological Examination

This helps assess brain function, reflexes, sensation, strength, and coordination.

Step 3: Diagnostic Testing (If Needed)

When appropriate, we may recommend:

MRI or CT imaging
EEG testing
Review of prior studies

Step 4: Clear Explanation & Plan

You’ll leave with a clear understanding of findings and next steps — whether treatment, monitoring, or reassurance.

Personalized Headache Treatment Options

Treatment is never one-size-fits-all.

Depending on your diagnosis, care may include:

Preventive or abortive medications
Lifestyle and trigger management
Infusion therapy (when appropriate)
Coordination with other specialists
Ongoing monitoring and adjustment

Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in your care.

Why Patients Choose Charis Neurology for Headache Care

Charis Neurology provides neurologist-led headache evaluation for patients in Lake Mary, Seminole County, Volusia County and Orange County, and surrounding Central Florida communities. Our focus is on clear diagnosis, thoughtful treatment, and compassionate care.

Board-certified neurological care led by Dr. Sherif Makar
On-site MRI and EEG testing for faster answers
Collaborative team approach with experienced providers
Clear, compassionate explanations
Serving Lake Mary and Central Florida

We walk side-by-side with patients — every step of the way call today at (407) 603-1633 or schedule an appointment online.

Neurology provider offering supportive care, holding a patient’s hand during consultation.

Dr. Sherif Makar points to a brain MRI scan on a computer monitor, explaining diagnostic results

Frequently asked questions

How do you know if a headache is "just stress" vs. something serious?

Stress-related tension headaches have predictable patterns—usually both sides, pressing quality, worse with stress. Neurologically significant headaches like migraines are often one-sided, throbbing, with nausea or light sensitivity. If your headache breaks your normal pattern, it warrants evaluation.

Why do some headaches turn out to be migraines?

Migraine involves specific neurological and chemical differences in how your brain processes pain. There's often a family history—if your parents had migraines, you're more likely to have them. Sleep, hormones, hydration, and stress all influence frequency. The American Migraine Foundation provides excellent information on migraine genetics and triggers.

Is it normal to have headaches multiple times a week?

No. While occasional headaches are normal, 2-3+ headaches per week are not something to accept. This frequency often indicates migraine, medication overuse, or another treatable condition.

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Makar?

No. You can schedule directly without a referral. Just call us at (407) 603-1633.

Will I need an MRI or CT scan?

Only if medically appropriate. We don't order imaging just to be thorough—we order it when your symptoms suggest a structural or specific cause. That said, if your symptoms warrant imaging, we can often do it the same day in our Lake Mary office instead of sending you somewhere else.

What's the difference between a migraine and a severe headache?

A "severe headache" is a description of pain intensity, but migraine is a specific neurological diagnosis with distinctive features: typically throbbing, one-sided, 4-72 hours duration, and accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, or vomiting. Accurate diagnosis matters because treatment differs.

Can headaches be caused by medication?

Yes. Some medications can cause headaches as a side effect. In some cases, frequent use of pain medication can actually cause more headaches (medication overuse headache). During evaluation, we review all your medications to identify if any are contributing to your headaches.

How quickly will I feel better after seeing a neurologist?

That depends on your headache type and the treatment we recommend. Some patients feel relief within days of starting preventive medication. Others take 2-4 weeks as we find the right medication or dose. Most importantly, you'll finally understand what's causing your headaches and have a real plan to manage them—that clarity alone often helps patients feel more hopeful.

Laboratory technician processing diagnostic blood samples for neurological testing

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