Headache and Migraine Treatment

Different Types of Migraines and Headaches

Headaches vary greatly in location, type of headache, pain level, and how often they occur. While the brain does not have pain signals and cannot feel pain, which is why patients do not feel anything when having brain surgery, other facets of the head can lead to you feeling pain from a headache.

Some of these parts are the numerous nerves in the head, face, neck, shoulder muscles, and blood vessels. Most people may not be aware, but there are over 150 ways to describe a headache or migraine because it is the most common form of this pain. Frequently experienced primary headaches include:

Tension Headaches

The most common type of headache people experience is a tension headache, which occur in three of every four adults. Tension headaches can occur from muscles tightening in your shoulders, neck, scalp, or jaw, and they are often related to stress, depression, or anxiety.

Those with severe tension headaches can have them up to three to four times a week, but most only have mild, occasional headaches. Tension headaches are typically characterized by pain on both sides of the head, is dull, or even feels like a band or vice around the head, possible sensitivity to light. Occasionally, these tension headaches cause nausea or vomiting. Most tension headaches last about 20 minutes to two hours.

Migraines

Migraines are the second most common type of headache and are often more intense than tension headaches. Described as a pounding or throbbing pain, migraines are often accompanied by other physical symptoms, including:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Sensitivity to Light
• Blurred Vision

Migraines can last anywhere from four hours to three days and are two to three times more common in women than men.

Types of Migraines and Symptoms

Migraines have different phases, although not everyone goes through each phase. The first phase is the premonition or prodromal phase and involves a change in mood or behavior before the actual headache. The next phase is the aura, which involves visual, sensory, and motor symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and vision changes.

The headache phase is next and is when the pounding or throbbing pain and other physical symptoms occur. Lastly, the resolution phase is when the pain starts to subside, and people can feel fatigued or irritable after having the headache.

How to Treat Complex Migraines

Complex migraines, also known as complicated migraines, are a subset of migraines that are characterized by debilitating neurological symptoms. Complicated migraine symptoms include prolonged auras, temporary vision loss, or even difficulties with speech and motor skills. Unlike traditional migraines, complex migraines symptoms may linger long after the headache phase has passed, causing a significant impact on the patient's daily activities and quality of life.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are not as common as tension headaches or migraines but are the most severe type of primary headache. Cluster headaches occur five times more often in men than in women, and the usual person dealing with cluster headaches is a middle-aged man with a history of smoking.

Cluster headaches earned their name because the head pain tends to come in groups or clusters. They generally occur one to eight times in a single day during a period from two weeks to possibly up to three months. Individual headaches can last from 30 minutes to an hour. Sometimes, cluster headaches can completely disappear for months or even years, only to come back again, which is what doctors refer to as remission.

Cluster headaches always start on one side of the head, usually behind one eye, and can be throbbing and constant. The eye where the pain is located can become red and water, with a drooping eyelid and small pupil. There can also be swelling of the eyelid, a runny nose or congestion, or swelling of the forehead. Many people suffering from cluster headaches experience intense pain that they cannot sit still and will start to pace or jog in place, which can lead to agitation.

Other types of headaches include:

• Allergy Headaches
• Caffeine-Withdrawal Headaches
• Fasting Headaches
• Hangover Headaches
• Hunger Headaches
• Hypertension Headaches
• Menstrual Headaches
• Sinus Headaches

Not all headaches require a doctor’s attention and most people can alleviate some of these pains by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, enhancing their diets, and ensuring plenty of REM sleep.

Frequent headaches, however, can be a symptom of a more significant issue. Tell your doctor about frequent, sudden, or severe headaches you're experiencing. They will be able to determine if more medical attention is necessary.

Headaches are one of the top reasons why people miss work or school. It is not fully known what causes most headaches, but the pain does derive from blood vessels, muscles, brain chemicals, and nerves. The unknown part about the root cause of migraines and headaches is what triggers these parts to cause pain.

Migraines and headaches in general have been shown to run in families, and it is thought that they result from nerve cells reacting to specific triggers. Those nerve cells send impulses to blood vessels, which then cause pain.

Some migraine triggers can be:

• Harsh Lighting
• Noise
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption
• Poor Sleeping Habits
• Depression
• Stress
• Changes in the Weather

Preventing Headaches and Migraines

The most effective way to prevent headaches is to learn what triggers them for you and avoid those triggers as best as you can. What triggers headaches in you may not trigger them in someone else, so you must pay attention to what is happening before a headache starts. For example, if you notice that you tend to get a headache from inconsistent sleep patterns or lack of sleep altogether, you should create a better-sleeping routine.

Living with Chronic Headaches: When to Worry

A minor headache is generally not caused for concern and can be treated with over-the-counter medication, drinking more water, and getting some sleep. However, headaches do range in severity, and if you believe that your headache is not usual or the pain is too intense, you should seek out medical assistance to ensure nothing more serious or an underlying problem is occurring.

It is best to get medical assistance immediately if you start to have chronic headache symptoms, such as:

Headaches accompanied by neurological symptoms should also be examined by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Examples of nuerological symptoms are:

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Numbness or Tingling
• Imbalance
• Difficulties with Speech
• Mental Confusion
• Memory Issues
• Decreased Alertness
• Seizures

How to Diagnose Migraines and Headaches

If you are suffering from frequent headaches, our physicians are dedicated to giving you a comprehensive exam that will aid in diagnosing the different types of migraine headaches. Using advanced diagnostic techniques, our headache doctors will find out the reason for your pain and then get you on the road to better health right away.

The chronic migraine diagnostic criteria our physicians use when completing their comprehensive exams include:

Once we have an accurate diagnosis, we will work with you to create a treatment plan to address your chronic headaches effectively.

Headache and Migraine Treatment Methods

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we understand the debilitating effects of living with chronic migraines and headaches. Your journey to finding relief may involve exploring traditional treatments, interventional methods, and alternative approaches. 

Traditional Treatments

Traditional treatments for headaches and migraines often involve medication-based interventions. Alongside medication, lifestyle modifications like stress management, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and dietary changes also form part of traditional treatment approaches.

Other traditional treatment methods are:

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: For many people experiencing headaches or migraines, OTC medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen can provide temporary relief. However, it's essential to follow the recommended dosages and consult your healthcare provider if you find yourself relying on these medications frequently.
• Medication Management Programs: In cases where OTC medications aren't effective, your healthcare provider may prescribe stronger medications to alleviate headache or migraine symptoms. Some of the best medicine for migraines or headaches include triptans, ergotamines, or anti-inflammatory drugs. It's important to discuss any potential side effects or drug interactions with your healthcare provider before starting a new medication.

While traditional treatments can provide relief for some migraine sufferers, they may not be suitable for everyone. Overuse of OTC or prescription medications can lead to medication overuse headaches (MOH), also known as rebound headaches. Furthermore, some medications may cause side effects, including dizziness, nausea, or even increased headache frequency.

Interventional Methods

Interventional treatment methods are often employed when traditional treatments fail to provide adequate relief to individuals experiencing chronic headaches or migraines. These methods aim to directly intervene in the pain pathway to disrupt the transmission of pain signals.

Some common interventional treatments include:

• Facet Joint Injection: A facet joint injection involves injecting a combination of a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid into the facet joints of the spine. This can help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for certain types of headaches.
• Epidural Steroid Injection: By injecting a corticosteroid into the epidural space of the spine, an epidural steroid injection aims to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain caused by nerve irritation.
• Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB): An SGB involves injecting a local anesthetic near the stellate ganglion, a group of nerves in the neck. This procedure can help alleviate pain in specific headache and migraine conditions.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: Radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt nerve function, providing long-lasting pain relief for certain types of headaches.
• Trigger Point Injection: By injecting a local anesthetic into specific trigger points (knots) in the muscles, this procedure can help reduce pain and muscle tension contributing to headaches or migraines.
• Occipital Nerve Blocks: Occipital nerve blocks involve injecting a local anesthetic and corticosteroid near the occipital nerves, which can help provide relief for occipital neuralgia and other headache types.

Alternative Migraine Treatment

Alternative treatments have gained popularity in the management of migraines and headaches as they often have fewer side effects than traditional treatments. They aim at promoting overall wellness and relieving stress, which can be a trigger for headaches and migraines.

• Acupuncture and Migraines Treatment: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice, acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance the flow of energy and alleviate pain.
• Massage: Massage therapy can help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation, which may be beneficial for those experiencing headaches or migraines.
• Stress Management: Incorporating stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga, can help decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.
• Migraine Self Care: Maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and establishing a consistent sleep schedule can all contribute to reducing headache and migraine frequency.

Remember, finding the right treatment method for your headaches or migraines may involve trial and error. It's essential to work closely with your healthcare provider or a headache and migraine specialist to develop a personalized plan tailored to your specific needs.