It’s safe to say most of us have been that person that can’t shake off their horrible headache and so googled their symptoms, only to be told by the old faithful internet that we must be on death’s door. But what are the warning signs that there could be something more serious going on? When is it time to get a neurosurgeon involved?
A Neurosurgeon is a doctor that specializes in medical issues related to the brain, spine, and other parts of your nervous system so if you are having muscle pain in your leg, this is not the doctor for you. However, if you are experiencing any of the below then speaking with a neurosurgeon might be the right decision:
- Persistent Headaches
- Seizures
- Numbness in extremities
- A Weak grip
- Dizziness or balance issues
Now, don’t panic, speaking with a neurosurgeon doesn’t always mean surgery as the name suggests, but these experts should be able to provide a consultation to begin investigating any abnormalities you are experiencing. So, let’s dive into a few of these a little deeper and look at the warning signs you should watch out for.
Persistent headaches
When thinking about the severity of your headache, think about headaches you’ve experienced before. How long did it last, how would you rate the pain, was it recurring? Most headaches and even migraines, although painful is usually short-lived (no longer than a day or two) and don’t return. If you are noticeably in more pain than with a usual headache, and if your headache is more frequent then there may be a reason to consult with a medical professional to suss out the cause.
Numbness in extremities
The word ‘Neuro’ refers to nerves and your nervous system, and those nerves extend throughout your entire body right down to your fingertips and toes, the nerves send signals back to your brain. Often people ignore small aches and pains in their body, putting a brave face on and self-managing the pain. But something like numbness in your extremities is a warning sign of sensory nerve damage and is absolutely something you should ask a neurosurgeon about.
Dizziness or balance issues
Similarly, to headaches, it is common for the average person to experience the odd spell of dizziness, there can be many factors that make you feel a bit fuzzy in the head. The difference however between standing up too quickly and a serious neurological problem again comes down to the regularity and severity. If you are experiencing dizziness and find yourself off balance and falling, then it would be sensible to connect with a neurosurgeon.
The important thing to remember is, speaking with someone such as a neurosurgeon doesn’t always mean the worst-case scenario, or that your worst google diagnosis is about to come true, but it is, however, going to provide you with real answers and get you on the right track to recovery, no matter how big or small the problem.
