A headache is possibly one of the most disruptive pains you can experience. Headaches are not only painful, they also interfere with your day like no other type of pain. A lot of people find themselves having to change plans, delay completing important work, and rescheduling meetings because of headaches.
The important thing to note about headaches is that not all headaches are the same. There are different types of headaches and treatment will vary depending on the type of headache you have. Let’s take a look at some common types of headaches and how to treat them.
Migraines
A migraine headache, according to the American Migraine Foundation, is a neurological disease, with multiple subsets, all of which are associated with head pain.
Migraines with auras are headaches that come with sensory or visual elements. The sufferer may experience numbness, and their vision may be affected to the point that they see patterns like zigzags or dots.
A migraine headache can exhibit with pulsating pain and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Working, talking, and watching tv can exacerbate a migraine. It can take several hours to three days for a migraine to disappear.
Knowing what triggers a migraine is extremely helpful when relieving painful symptoms. Avoiding those triggers will assist in managing the migraine before it begins or worsens.
Your healthcare provider can prescribe medications for migraines that are severe and long lasting. Resting in a dark room, applying a compress to the head, and relaxing can also help alleviate migraines.
Tension headaches
This type of headache is felt on both sides of the head and gives a similar sensation to wearing a very tight hat. You may also feel pressure or a dull ache. This type of headache is triggered when you are stressed or worried about something for a long period of time.
Tension headaches can be treated at home taking over-the-counter pain medications, managing stress, and relaxing. When these methods fail to work, talk to a family medicine provider for further treatment. Your family medicine provider may be able to prescribe more effective medications, biofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cluster headaches
These headaches are severely painful and can last for weeks at a time. The pain symptoms develop on one side of the head and can be accompanied by a runny nose, congestion, or watery eyes.
Treating a tension or cluster headache with over-the counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can be helpful in relieving pain. If the pain doesn’t subside with over-the-counter medications, your family medicine provider can prescribe other stronger medications.
Cluster headaches are often treated through fast-acting treatments (prescription pain medications, oxygen, etc.) for immediate relief as well as preventive treatments (corticosteroids, nerve blocks, etc.) to reduce the frequency and severity of future headaches.
Headache Treatment in Wellington, Pennsylvania
If you are experiencing unexplained and frequent headaches and want relief, contact the experts at Advanced Medical Clinic. We have a wealth of experience treating all types of headaches and would love to help you find relief.
Call (561) 434-1935 to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.
