Understanding Chronic Migraines
When to See a Neurologist
When to seek specialist advice
Chronic migraines affect approximately 2% of the global population, defined as headaches occurring on 15 or more days per month for at least three months. While primary care can manage many cases, referral to a neurologist or neuroradiologist is appropriate when headaches change in character, increase in frequency, or fail to respond to standard treatments.
Advanced imaging, including MRI and MRA, can help exclude secondary causes such as vascular malformations, venous sinus stenosis, or intracranial hypertension. Early identification of treatable conditions can significantly improve quality of life.
The role of imaging in diagnosis
Modern neuroimaging techniques allow clinicians to visualise blood vessels, brain structures, and cerebrospinal fluid pathways with remarkable precision. In selected patients, catheter angiography may be recommended to evaluate vascular anatomy in greater detail.
A thorough diagnostic workup ensures that treatment is tailored to the individual, whether that involves medication adjustment, lifestyle changes, or targeted intervention for an underlying structural cause.
