2 Common Tests Used To Diagnose The Cause Of Headache Pain
If your child complains of headaches almost every day, he or she might have a major medical problem. Your child's doctor may run bloodwork and other routine tests to try to determine the cause, but this may not be enough. If the doctor cannot find an answer, he or she might recommend two additional tests for the child.
CT Scan
The first test your doctor might order is a CT scan, which stands for computed tomography. A CT scan uses x-rays as a way to make images of a person's brain. These images are sent to a computer, and the images can be evaluated by a technician or doctor. CT scans are great for diagnosing bleeding in the brain, which is often a problem when a person has daily headaches.
A CT scan generally takes at least 15 minutes to complete, but it may last for up to an hour. Completing a CT scan will usually rule out brain tumors and many other conditions, but it is not always enough to find an answer to the problem.
MRI
The second test is an MRI, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging. This is a test that does not use x-rays, but instead used radio waves and a large magnet. It is often used if a CT scan does not reveal any problems. The result of an MRI is clear images of the entire brain. These images can be examined and studied to reveal any potential problems, such as a brain tumor or infection of the brain.
An MRI generally takes at least 40 minutes to complete, and it is not uncommon for the technician to take more than 30 images of the brain during the test.
After completing both of these tests, there is still a possibility that the doctor will not know the cause of the pain. There are additional tests the doctor may order if this happens, and these include neuroimaging and an electroencephalogram.
Neuroimaging is a test completed while a person is having a headache. Because it is done during a headache, they may be able to see any irregularities or inconsistencies of the brain during this time.
When children suffer from constant headaches, it can be hard for parents to know what to do. Seeking help from a clinic, such as Southwest Diagnostic Centers Of Colorado Springs LLC., is a good first step, and you may want to ask the doctor about these tests to find out if they are right for your child's health problem.
Share