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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

The doctor will ask a series of questions about your headaches, including when they started and what they feel like. Be sure to list all the medications you're taking, including the doses and frequency.

Your doctor will probably do a physical exam to check for signs of illness, infection or neurological problems. If the cause of your headaches remains uncertain, you may need blood or urine tests to identify any underlying medical conditions. Sometimes imaging studies — such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scans — are recommended.

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Feb. 21, 2008

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