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Headaches
What are the types of headaches?
Headaches are usually classified into several broad categories
including:
muscle contraction or tension headaches
vascular or migraine headaches per day over the course of weeks or months. This time period is
cluster headaches called a cluster. A cluster period may disappear for months, or
years, only to return.
Tension Headache
A tension headache usually affects both sides of the head. It often What can cause headaches?
involves the temple and eye region and possibly the neck. This Changes in diet or sleep Fatigue
type of headache evolves over a period of hours, can last days, Hormones & oral contraceptives Stress
and tends to remain constant. Sleep disturbance is common with Nitrates (hot dogs and bacon) Bright sunlight
a tension headache. MSG (found in Chinese food) Alcohol
Females are more likely to suffer from tension headaches. There Strong odors (especially perfume)
is no heredity pattern or visual disturbance, such as spots in a Foods that contain Tyramine (cheese and red wine)
field of vision, involved with a tension headache.
What treatment options are available?
Some tension headache triggers include:
Treatment must be initiated at the first indication of a headache
physical and psychological stress
for it to be effective. A variety of drugs are used to treat
unreasonable work deadlines
headaches including:
sitting too long in front of a computer or workstation
Midrin® or Imitrex® Intravenous lidocaine
neck injury such as whiplash
Antidepressants Anti-nausea medications
Migraine Headache Beta-blockers Calcium channel blockers

Many people who suffer from migraines as an adult had experiences If medications do not work, other options include:
with migraines as children. These types of headaches are usually Nerve blocks Botox injections
one-sided and give off a throbbing or pounding pain. The pain Oxygen therapy Biofeedback
generally settles behind one eye and may occur frequently or
sporadically. Victims are more often female and have a strong family
How can a Pain Specialist help my headache?
history of migraines. Attacks typically last for 4-24 hours. Symptoms Pain specialists take into consideration the frequency and severity
include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, light or sound sensitivity and of the headache, results of previous therapy and diagnostic tests,
possible aura presence (visual illusions only seen by the patient). previous drug use, along with any other diseases that might affect
treatment choices. If headaches are relatively infrequent, the
Cluster Headache implementation of stress management and a trial of analgesics
Cluster headaches are the least common type of headache, but (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are usually successful.
are also the most severe. The pain is intense and is described as a Frequent headaches are often treated with antidepressants.
burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant. The pain Some patients require further assistance in breaking the pain
from these headaches is so severe that often the sufferer cannot sit cycle, such as biofeedback (a technique in which patients use
still. The pain is located behind one eye, or in the eye region, and auditory signals to control stress levels), cervical epidural steroid
typically does not change sides. Attacks normally occur 1-3 times injections, other drug regimens and psychotherapy.

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