Headache Specialist

What are headaches?

Headaches can be either a stand-alone illness or a symptom of something else. While there are several different types and a wide range of possible causes, all headaches include pain or pressure on one or both sides of your head. They can range from mildly irritating to debilitating, often affecting your work productivity and your ability to concentrate.

Primary headaches are headaches that aren’t related to any underlying medical condition. They happen when specific structures in your brain or spine are overactive or sensitive to pain. 

Secondary headaches happen because of other medical conditions and outside factors. You might get a secondary headache with a hangover after a night of drinking, from the flu, from a concussion, or a blood clot in your brain. 

Which type of headache do I have?

There are several different types of headaches that affect you differently. At Athens Spine Center, the team can help you control:

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are a common type of primary headache. They can last from a few minutes to a few days and typically cause pain on both sides of your head. They can also cause pain in your neck. Tension headaches happen when the muscles in your scalp and neck tighten, often because of stress or poor posture.

Migraines

Migraine headaches are different from the rest. Also a form of primary headaches, they usually cause severe pain on just one side of your head. They can cause other symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and lightheadedness. You have a chronic migraine if you get migraines 15 or more days in a month. 

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are primary headaches that usually last between 15 minutes and three hours and cause severe pain on one side of your head, often behind the eye. For weeks or months, you get them repeatedly up to eight times a day. 

Thunderclap headaches

Thunderclap headaches appear suddenly and cause intense pain. They’re secondary headaches and often have life-threatening causes like aneurysms, meningitis, or brain hemorrhage. 

How are headaches treated?

In many cases, you can relieve a headache with rest, over-the-counter pain relief medication, and other easy home care methods. However, if your headaches are severe or recurrent, you might require more advanced care. The team at Athens Spine Center might use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other diagnostic tests to look for potential causes. To treat your headaches, they might recommend:

• Injections
• Dorsal root ganglion stimulation
• Lifestyle changes
• Psychological treatment

The team creates a personalized treatment plan for you based on the types of headaches you get, their frequency, and their characteristics. They can also help you identify specific triggers that contribute to your headaches and learn to avoid them.

If your headaches affect your wellbeing or your productivity, it’s time to find a solution. Book your evaluation by phone at Athens Spine Center today.