Headache

What causes a headache?

Headaches result from the nerves in your head transmitting pain messages to your brain. Sometimes the reason for this is clear — hitting your head, for example, or having a sinus infection that causes inflammation and swelling. 

Headaches are a common symptom of health problems and environmental triggers, too, including:

• Fevers
• Colds and flu
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Hangovers
• Dehydration
• Allergens
• Pollutants
• Chemicals
• Noise
• Bright lights

Nerve damage can cause head pain as well. Common examples include trigeminal neuralgia and occipital neuralgia, which cause severe facial and head pain due to a problem with the major nerves in your head.

However, with many headaches, the cause is unclear, although genetic and environmental factors could be involved.

Are there different kinds of headaches?

Headaches can take many forms — over 150 in all. Tension headaches from stress are the most common, but there are many other types, including:

• Cluster 
• Chronic daily 
• Ice pick 
• Spinal 
• Hemicrania continua
• Post-traumatic 
• Hormone 
• Rebound 
• Thunderclap 
• Cervicogenic
• Migraine

Migraines are one of the most widespread forms of recurring headaches, often so painful that you can barely function during an attack. They typically cause other distressing symptoms like nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision, fatigue, and lightheadedness.

A migraine with aura also causes visual disturbances such as flashing lights, stars, zigzag lines, or spots before your eyes.

How are headaches treated?

The obvious answer to treating most headaches is to take over-the-counter pain medication. These medicines do have their place, but the best way to treat your headache effectively is to find out why you’ve got it and address the cause.

For instance, learn relaxation techniques if you’re prone to tension headaches, and make sure you drink water frequently during the day to prevent dehydration. Exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol, and eating a healthy, balanced diet can also reduce your risk of headaches.

If your headaches are occurring frequently or are severe and nothing you do is helping, visit Dr. Zaky for an evaluation. He can determine what sort of headache you’re getting and prescribe the appropriate therapies to reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches.

Each patient has their own personalized headache treatment plan, which could consist of medications such as:

• Muscle relaxants
• Decongestants
• Blood pressure medication 
• Tricyclic antidepressants 
• Anti-seizure medications
• Triptans 
• Ergotamine and caffeine 
• Anti-nausea medicine
• Glucocorticoids 
• Beta blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Lisinopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) 

Additional therapies that can help with headaches include electrical and magnetic pulse technologies and biofeedback. If you regularly suffer from migraines, you could benefit from medical Botox® injections.

If you’re dreading the next severe headache or migraine attack, call Delmarva Spine & Pain today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.