Headaches

What causes headaches?

Headaches have a range of causes. The location of your headache pain and the quality of your pain — whether aching, throbbing, dull, or stabbing — can help the team determine what type of headache you’re experiencing and its cause.

Common causes of headaches include:

• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar
• Fatigue
• Too much caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
• Muscle tension
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Intersegmental joint dysfunction in your neck
• High blood pressure
• Certain medications
  
  

If you experience regular headaches — one or more per week — it’s worthwhile to be evaluated by the medical experts to determine the cause of your headaches and get treatment to prevent or reduce the pain.

Are there different types of headaches?

Yes, there are numerous types of headaches. If you experience chronic headaches, it’s likely that you’re having the same type of headache regularly. In some cases, a busy lifestyle or abnormal sleeping or eating schedule can also cause chronic headaches.

Common types of headaches include:

• Tension headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Migraines
• Allergy or sinus headaches
• Exertion headaches
• Hypertension headaches
• Rebound headaches
  
  

All headaches present with specific patterns including the frequency and duration of your headaches, the location, and quality of the pain, and headache triggers.

How are headaches diagnosed?

Your provider diagnoses headaches following a thorough consultation and physical exam. During your consultation, they ask about the frequency of your headaches, any known triggers, the location of your pain, and the type of pain you experience.

During your physical exam, the team takes your blood pressure, assesses your reflexes, and checks for abnormal neurological symptoms. They then look for physical causes of your headaches, including muscle tension, trigger points, limited range of motion, and pain with certain head and neck movements.

How are headaches treated?

Based on the diagnosis, your provider recommends an appropriate treatment plan to manage your headaches. In many cases, headaches respond well to chiropractic care, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and lifestyle changes. The team may recommend increasing your water intake or avoiding foods, smells, or chemicals in your environment that may trigger headaches.

In some cases, you may be referred you to a neurologist specializing in headaches —  especially if you show signs of migraines or cluster headaches that may require additional treatment with medications.

Don’t suffer from headaches anymore. Get relief from Florida Neuro Pain & Spine Center by calling or booking an appointment online now.