Headaches

What are headaches?

Headaches describe any pain in the region of the head. There are two main classifications of headaches:

Primary headaches: Primary headaches develop independently of other medical issues. Pain can occur when irritated nerves or blood vessels in your head send pain signals to the brain. Common types of primary headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.

Secondary headaches: Secondary headaches result from underlying medical conditions that trigger pain in the nerve endings. You can develop a secondary headache due to sinusitis, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, meningitis, or aneurysm. Headaches can also be a side effect of medication overuse and withdrawal from caffeine or alcohol.

When should I seek medical attention for headaches?

Schedule an evaluation at Greene Neurological and Medical Consulting if you have painful or recurrent headaches that aren’t treatable with over-the-counter medications. Dr. Greene will assess your symptoms to determine what type of headache you have. She will also review your health, lifestyle, diet, and family medical history to identify contributing factors to headaches. In addition to obtaining a history and performing a physical exam, Dr. Greene may order diagnostic imaging modalities to confirm or rule out brain tumors, aneurysms, and other abnormalities.

How are headaches treated?

Your treatment plan depends on the type of headache you have and the severity of your pain. Greene Neurological and Medical Consulting provides a range of therapies to manage and prevent headaches, including:

Lifestyle changes

Diet improvements

Pain relievers

Prescription medication

Nerve blocks

Additionally, if you have chronic migraines and experience 15 or more headaches a month, you may be a candidate for botulinum toxin treatments. Botulinum toxin is an injectable medication that relaxes contracted muscles in the scalp that contribute to frequent migraines. Over time, botulinum toxin therapy can prevent migraines from occurring. Call Green Neurological and Medical Consulting to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for headaches or request an appointment online today.