Conditions
Neurological symptoms and conditions
Patients can consult Dr. Van Dycke for a range of neurological symptoms. She has specific expertise in epilepsy, headache disorders with focus on migraine, and sleep disorders. Consultations for other neurological symptoms are also possible.
During the consultation, your symptoms, medical history, medication use and relevant family history will be discussed. Based on this information, the most likely diagnosis and the need for further investigations will be considered.
Main areas of expertise:
• Headache and migraine • Epilepsy • Sleep disorders
Headache and migraine
When headache affects daily life
Headache can have a major impact on daily functioning. Some people experience occasional headaches, while others have frequent symptoms that interfere with work, family life, sleep or social activities.
An accurate diagnosis is important, as not all headaches have the same cause or require the same treatment. During the consultation, the type of headache, frequency, severity and possible contributing factors will be assessed.
Preparing for your consultation with a headache diary
It is helpful to keep a headache diary before your consultation. Please note:
• When the headache occurs; • How long it lasts; • How severe it is; • Where the pain is located; • Whether you experience nausea, sensitivity to light or other symptoms; • Which medication you take; • Whether the medication helps; • Possible triggers such as lack of sleep, stress, hormonal factors, food or alcohol.
It is also important to record how often you use pain medication.
Could it be migraine?
Migraine is a common neurological disorder. The following questions may help identify migraine:
• Are you bothered by light when you have a headache? • Do you feel nauseous or have stomach discomfort during the headache? • Has the headache limited your daily activities for at least one day in the past three months?
If you answer “yes” to two of these three questions, migraine is more likely.
These questions do not replace a medical diagnosis but may help clarify your symptoms.
Medication and preventive treatment
Effective headache treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes treatment of individual attacks is sufficient. In case of frequent or severe headaches, preventive treatment may be considered to reduce the number and severity of headache days.
Frequent use of pain medication can maintain or worsen headache. Please discuss your medication use if you often need painkillers.
Consider making an appointment if you have frequent headaches, if your headache pattern changes or if headaches clearly affect your daily life.
Epilepsy
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system in which a person may experience recurrent epileptic seizures. A seizure is caused by a temporary disturbance of the electrical activity in the brain.
Seizures can present in different ways. Some people lose consciousness or have jerking movements. In others, the symptoms are more subtle, such as brief absences, unusual sensations, automatic movements or temporary confusion.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis of epilepsy is based on the patient’s history and, when possible, witness descriptions, supplemented by tests such as EEG and brain imaging.
Epilepsy is usually treated with medication. In many patients, seizures can be well controlled. If seizures continue, further specialised evaluation may be needed.
Epilepsy can have a major impact on daily life. In addition to medical treatment, attention may be needed for psychosocial aspects, safety, work, education, driving fitness and quality of life.
Driving fitness
Epilepsy may have consequences for driving fitness. The assessment depends on several factors, including the type of seizure, the seizure-free interval, treatment and the applicable legal criteria. Please always discuss this with your physician.
Further information
For reliable patient information in Dutch, you can also visit the website of the Epilepsie Liga.
Sleep disorders
When sleep problems affect daily functioning
Sleep disorders can cause fatigue, concentration problems, daytime sleepiness, headache, mood symptoms or reduced quality of life. Insomnia is one possible cause, but other sleep disorders may also play a role.
During the consultation, your sleep pattern, medical history, medication use, lifestyle factors and possible neurological or other causes of sleep problems will be discussed.
If additional sleep investigations are needed, this will be organized in the sleep clinic in AZ Sint-Jan in Bruges.