{"id":3323,"date":"2020-02-20T06:41:37","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T13:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/?p=3323"},"modified":"2023-04-27T04:54:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-27T11:54:04","slug":"imaging-tests-for-headaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/imaging-tests-for-headaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Imaging Tests for Headaches"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Headaches are a common phenomenon, with\u00a0half to three-quarters of adults<\/a>\u00a0having had one in the past year. Among those reporting headaches, 30 percent or more report having migraines. While most people with headaches only experience them from time to time, up to four percent of the world’s adult population experience headaches on 15 days or more each month. When chronic headaches begin to interfere with your life, it may be time to seek an imaging test to rule out certain conditions and help your doctor make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n There are a few different types of headache disorders that could explain your symptoms. These are the diagnoses your doctor will investigate first, before ordering imaging tests for headaches:<\/p>\n While these disorders are the most common to experience, there are cases where headaches are caused by injuries or conditions that need further examination.<\/p>\n If your doctor is unable to accurately diagnose your chronic headaches or migraines, they might order headache imaging tests. There are three varieties of headache imaging scans you might undergo in the diagnostic process:<\/p>\n X-rays are the least likely test for a doctor to order. They don’t pick up soft tissue\u00a0\u2014\u00a0instead, they show only the condition of the skull. An\u00a0x-ray for headaches<\/a>\u00a0may be useful if your doctor suspects the headaches are caused by a poorly healed break or fracture from an accident, for example. Alternatively, a sinus x-ray may be able to indicate whether the headaches are resulting from issues in the sinus cavity.<\/p>\n Although x-rays are rarely used on their own, they form a critical component of CT scans for headache diagnosis.<\/p>\n A\u00a0computerized tomography (CT) scan<\/a>, also known as a CAT scan, may help diagnose headaches by providing images of the brain. A CT scan works similarly to traditional x-ray exams. Parts of the body absorb different amounts of x-rays, with the difference allowing physicians to identify separate body parts. CT scans use multiple x-ray beams and detectors, which rotate around you in the test chamber, producing a huge amount of data to provide a 2D image of your body.\u00a0These images can rule out:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans do not use x-rays to create brain images. Instead, an\u00a0MRI scan<\/a>\u00a0uses radio waves and magnets to produce the results. MRIs are a lot more detailed than CT scans and provide much more information. This makes it the headache imaging type of choice for those needing a diagnosis of sub-acute or chronic symptoms. However, the detail comes at the expense of time, with MRI scans taking up to an hour or sometimes even 90 minutes to capture all the necessary images.<\/p>\n MRIs often use a contrast agent to enhance the definition of the end images. This involves receiving an injection in the arm, which may make you feel flushed. Before the MRI exam, you can eat normally and continue taking your medications. Leave all jewelry at home and be prepared to change into a hospital gown, as these items are prohibited in the MRI scanner room:<\/p>\n If you have any electronic or medical devices in your body, it’s critical to inform your technologist. Certain devices can interfere with the scan or pose the risk of harm to you. CT scans are recommended for those with medical implants.<\/p>\n A brain MRI for headaches\u00a0is very loud, so most imaging centers will provide you with music to listen to through headphones to minimize auditory discomfort during the scan.<\/p>\n How do you know when your headache symptoms are severe enough to warrant imaging tests? Doctors do not usually\u00a0order headache imaging<\/a>\u00a0unless you meet one or more of these criteria:<\/p>\n If you are experiencing what seems like undue worry or fear about the quantity and intensity of your headaches, that’s a good reason to seek headache imaging as well. Your doctor should take your headache-related stress or anxiety into account when deciding whether to order imaging tests for headaches.<\/p>\n If your doctor orders a CT or MRI scan for headache diagnosis, you’ll need to select an imaging company you can trust. For affordable pricing and convenience in Denver\/Boulder, Colorado, come to Health Images. Our dedication to compassion and expertise results in an optimal patient experience for everyone who walks through our doors.<\/p>\n Health Images offers a variety of imaging services, including imaging tests for headaches, and we are proud to produce accurate images with the fastest turnaround in the industry. Our electronic medical record system ensures your physician gets your results fast, so they can find the source of your pain efficiently. To learn more about our services and schedule your scan, find your nearest\u00a0Health Images location<\/a>\u00a0online.<\/p>\nCommon Headache Disorders<\/h2>\n
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Types of Imaging Tests for Headaches<\/h2>\n
1. X-Ray for Headaches<\/h3>\n
2. CT Scan for Headaches<\/h3>\n
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3. MRI for Headaches<\/h3>\n
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When to Seek an Imaging Test for Headaches<\/h2>\n
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Trust Health Images<\/h2>\n