Headaches & Migraines
What are the types of headaches?
There are many types of headaches, but some of the most common include:
- Chronic tension headaches
- Migraine headaches
- Cluster headaches
Chronic Tension Headaches
A chronic tension headache usually affects both sides of the head. It often involves the temple and eye region and possibly the neck. Chronic tension headaches evolve over a period of hours, can last days, and tend to remain constant. Sleep disturbance is common with chronic tension headaches.
Females are more likely to suffer from chronic tension headaches. There is no heredity pattern or visual disturbance, such as spots in a field of vision, involved with a chronic tension headache.
Some causes of chronic tension headaches include:
- Changes in diet or sleep
- Fatigue
- Bright sunlight
- Hormones & oral contraceptives
- Stress
- Nitrates (hot dogs and bacon)
- MSG (found in Chinese food)
- Alcohol
- Strong odors (especially perfume)
Migraine Headaches
Many people who suffer from migraine headaches as an adult had experiences with migraines as children. Migraine headaches are usually one-sided and give off a throbbing or pounding pain. The pain generally settles behind one eye and may occur frequently or sporadically. Victims of migraines are more often female and have a strong family history of migraines. Migraine attacks typically last from 4-24 hours. Symptoms of migraine headaches include nausea, vomiting, light or sound sensitivity, and possible aura presence (visual illusions only seen by the patient).
Some causes of migraines or vascular headaches include:
- Changes in diet or sleep
- Fatigue
- Bright sunlight
- Hormones & oral contraceptives
- Stress
- Nitrates (hot dogs and bacon)
- MSG (found in Chinese food)
- Alcohol
- Strong odors (especially perfume)
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are much less common than chronic tension or migraine headaches. The pain from a cluster headache is intense and is described as a burning or piercing sensation that is throbbing or constant. Cluster headaches are so severe that in many cases the sufferer cannot sit still. The pain is located behind one eye, or in the eye region, and typically does not change sides. Cluster headache attacks normally occur 1-3 times per day over the course of weeks or months. The term cluster headache was coined because the period during which the attacks are occurring is called a cluster. A cluster period may disappear for months, or years, before returning.
Some causes of cluster headaches include:
- Changes in diet or sleep
- Fatigue
- Bright sunlight
- Hormones & oral contraceptives
- Stress
- Nitrates (hot dogs and bacon)
- MSG (found in Chinese food)
- Alcohol
- Strong odors (especially perfume)
- Foods that contain Tyramine (cheese and red wine)
What headache relief options are available?
For headache relief to be effective, treatment must be initiated at the first indication of a headache. There are a variety of headache medications that supply headache relief.
- Midrin® or Imitrex®
- Antidepressants
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Anti-nausea medications
If headache medication does not provide you with headache relief, other options include:
- Biofeedback
- Trigger point injections
- Nerve blocks injection
- Botox injections
- Biofeedback
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
Headache relief will vary based on the type of headache.
How can a pain management doctor help my headache?
Pain management doctors take into consideration the frequency and severity of the headache, results of previous therapy and diagnostic tests, previous drug use, along with any other diseases that might affect treatment choices. If headaches are relatively infrequent, the implementation of stress management and a trial of analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are usually successful.
Frequent severe headaches are often treated with a variety of other types of medications as well as biofeedback (a technique in which patients use auditory signals to control stress levels).
For additional information on:
- Chronic tension headaches
- Migraine headaches
- Cluster headaches
Please call 866-228-1108 to request an appointment with one of our Southeast Pain and Spine Care pain management providers or click to Request an Appointment.
