Headaches

Why do I get headaches?

Headaches can develop for many different reasons, including:

• Head injuries
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Dehydration
• Respiratory infections and fevers
• Neck injuries
• Chemicals, allergens, and pollutants
• Excessive noise or light

Congestion, inflammation, and nerve compression are definable causes of headaches, but in many cases, there isn't a clear physical reason for the pain you feel.

There are also many different kinds of headaches, more than 150 in all. Some of these are severe and disabling, but quite rare. Migraines are one of the more common types of recurring headaches.

What is a migraine?

A migraine headache causes extreme head pain that makes it difficult or very often impossible to function normally. Migraines also cause a range of other unpleasant symptoms, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Lightheadedness
• Sensitivity to sound, light, touch, and smell

Some people who experience migraines also suffer from auras — sensory disturbances that cause spots or flashing lights to appear before your eyes.

Migraines may happen only infrequently or occur regularly. For some people, migraines are a persistent problem that severely impacts their quality of life.

What are the treatments for headaches?

Everyday headaches typically respond well to over-the-counter pain medications. Headaches that are due to infections and congestion usually go away once you recover from your illness.

You might be able to identify the cause of your headaches and take steps to prevent them in the future. For example, if you're under stress, finding ways to relax should relieve the headache problem.

Aiming to improve your general health with better lifestyle choices can also reduce headaches. Mild dehydration, for instance, is a common cause of headaches and simple to resolve by making sure you're drinking enough water every day.

Chronic, persistent headaches might require other treatments, such as:  

• Tricyclic antidepressants 
• Anti-seizure medications
• Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors 
• Muscle relaxants
• Relaxation and biofeedback 
• Electrical and magnetic pulse technologies
• Glucocorticoids 
• Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
• Steroid trigger point injections

Nerve blocks can be effective for conditions like trigeminal neuralgia and occipital neuralgia. Nerve block injections contain a local anesthetic that temporarily numbs the pain and can reduce the severity of headaches long-term.

What treatments can help with migraines?

You might benefit from migraine therapy, an approach to managing your migraines holistically. Migraine therapy might include better nutrition, meditation, breathing exercises, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and counseling.

If you suffer from migraines regularly — 15 or more migraines every month that last a minimum of four hours — Dr. Snowball can administer medical Botox injections. Botox is a well-established treatment for migraines that helps to prevent a migraine attack and reduce its severity.

If you're struggling to live the life you want because of headaches and migraines, call Integrated Pain Solutions today, or book an appointment online.