Symptom Guides
Start with the symptom, not the diagnosis
Most people searching for answers do not have a diagnosis yet. These guides start where you actually are: with the thing that is happening to you, what usually causes it, and when it is worth a specialist opinion.
Some symptoms should not wait for an appointment
Call 911 or go to an emergency department now if you have any of the following:
- A sudden, severe headache that reaches full intensity within seconds
- Weakness, numbness or drooping on one side of the face or body
- Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Loss of consciousness, a seizure, or new confusion
- Sudden loss of vision
- Loss of bladder or bowel control together with back pain or leg weakness
Symptom guides
Numbness and tingling in the hands
Especially when it wakes you at night. What the finger pattern tells you, and the one cause that must not be missed.
Sciatica and leg pain that will not settle
Pain travelling from the back or buttock down the leg. What usually causes it, and the emergency it can occasionally signal.
A new or changed headache after 50
Why a headache that is new, or newly different, is treated with more caution once you are older.
The worst headache of your life
A headache that peaks within seconds behaves differently from any other. What to do about it.
Common questions
Should I see a neurosurgeon about a symptom, or my regular doctor first?
Either is reasonable. A primary care doctor is a sensible first step for most symptoms. But if a symptom involves weakness, numbness, loss of function, or a scan that has already found something, a specialist opinion is appropriate, and you do not usually need a referral to ask for one.
Do I need a diagnosis before I contact you?
No. Many people contact us precisely because nobody has given them a diagnosis yet. Tell us what the symptom is and what has already been done, and we will tell you whether specialist assessment is worthwhile.
What if my scan was normal but I still have symptoms?
That is a common and legitimate reason to seek a second look. A normal scan narrows the possibilities but does not always explain the symptom, and the right next step may be a different test rather than the same one again.
This page is general information written by a neurosurgical practice to help you decide whether to seek assessment. It is not a diagnosis and it is not a substitute for being examined. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to a clinician.
Describe what is happening
Tell us the symptom, how long it has been going on, and anything that has already been done about it. We will tell you honestly whether this is something a neurosurgeon should look at.