HeadacheHeadaches can be very daunting and frightening when experienced. There are many different types of headaches with various causes behind them. It is often difficult to distinguish one headache from another and that is why it is crucial to always have medical evaluation behind the cause of headache in order to make absolutely sure there is not an emergent situation. Headaches can range from infectious causes, benign and completely unharmful causes to aneurysm ruptures, and brain bleeds. We will give you tools for education in order to aid you and you doctor in diagnosis but it is always crucial to go in for medical consultation once symptoms are severe.
Tension Type Headaches: Tension headaches can be the result of many different things. They can be a medication side effect, a result of withdrawal from a drug such as pain killers, alcohol and other illicit drugs. They can result from stress as well as muscular tension in the forehead. They are a plethora of non-specific causes behind this headache. This headache is typically characterized by a two sided headache that can feel like a pressurized band is wrapped around your head. This headache can last from hours to days at times. It is typically tolerable yet annoying and it is not accompanied by light, and sound sensitivity. There is no associated visual symptoms or vomiting as well. The best way to tackle this type of headache is to take over the counter pain medications sparringly. Tylenol and ibuprofen can work for this type of headache. Sometimes forehead massages may help if you are developing these headaches as a result of forehead muscle tension and stress. The best thing to do is to also find the offending agent such as withdrawal from a certain drug that can have addictive properties such as pain pills, caffeine, or alcohol. Migraines: This class of headache is very complex due to its symptoms and their inherent non-specific nature. They differ from the tension type headache in that they are often a mild to severe headache that lasts from minutes to hours and can be proceded by visual disturbances called aura's. They are often one sided and can even be located behind the eye. The migraine can come with an onset of symptoms before it happens, and usually a person who has migraines has had a prior history since they were a child. If someone develops new onset migraines as an adult then medical consultation should be sought as soon as possible. There is also a family history associated with migraines. If you have family that have experience migraines it is likely that is what you have as well. Migraines can also have neurological symptoms such as trouble speaking, numbness, weakness, and one sided paralysis. These can mimic a stroke when no stroke is present. If this happens to you and you have a headache you should still get evaluated immediately by a medial professional in order to be comletely safe. Treatment for migraines includes over the counter pain medications. But in situations that are severe you can be prescribed triptans and ergotamines by your doctor in order to abort your migraines. In order to prevent migraines your doctor can give you beta-blockers. Contact us if you have more questions about migraines. For questions call us at 1 336-252-2215. |
Emergencies: Headache
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Strokes can cause headaches, and one-sided numbness, tingling and paralysis. That is why it is always important to get evaluated as soon as possible if you are having severe headaches with neurological symptoms such as the ones described above. Strokes are the result of the blood vessels in your brain becoming blocked by plaque/gunk or wear and tear. The blood vessels in the brain deliver oxygen, nutrients such as sugars and proteins and vitamins that are crucial for the normal functioning brain. If these nutrients are deprived even for five minutes the brain can be lost forever. That is why it is so crucial to be seen for evaluation if you experience these symptoms.
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Brain Aneurysms
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Brain aneurysms are an emergency that can present as a severe "thunderclap" headache often described as the worst experienced in a persons life. The brain aneurysm develops as a result of wear and tear on the arteries of the brain. When the lining of the artery wears down an aneurysm forms and can possibly break open leading to brain bleeding, increased pressure against the brain and skull, and a severe headache. The death rate for this condition is very high and it is important that you call 911 if you ever experience a headache like the one described above. If you have any more questions about headaches then call us at our office number. For questions call us at 1 336-252-2215.
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