Headaches can be annoying or debilitating, depending on the cause and your sensitivity to pain. Either way, find out why they’re happening and how to stop them quickly, especially if you don’t have any other symptoms. To accomplish that, search for a headaches doctor near me in New York City. At Pain Management NYC, a specially trained doctor for headaches provides you with an accurate diagnosis and the most effective headache treatments, so call today for an appointment.
What Constitutes a Headache?
A headache is a health condition that causes pain or discomfort in your head or neck. Women are more prone to headaches, particularly migraines and chronic migraines. Headaches can be either episodic or chronic. Episodic headaches last 30 minutes to a week and occur less than 15 times per month, whereas chronic headaches last for hours and occur more than 15 times each month.
Headaches are divided into two major categories:
- Primary headache. This type of headache is a separate condition, not an indication of an underlying medical issue. Tension headaches, migraines, chronic headaches and cluster headaches are the most common types of primary headaches. They’re often treated with nerve blocks for headaches.
- Secondary headache. This kind of headache is a sign of a different medical issue. Secondary headaches are caused by a deeper problem or injury, such as medication overuse, neurological problems or dental problems.
The intensity, duration and associated symptoms distinguish a migraine from an ordinary headache. Migraines are distinguished by pulsing pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, whereas a typical headache is frequently less intense and doesn’t have these severe symptoms.
Ideally, you find a qualified headache doctor near me in NYC to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and effective headache treatment.
The best headache specialist near me is at Pain Management NYC, where several qualified headache doctors who are board-certified offer the most up-to-date headache treatments, as well as treatment for other conditions, such as:
- Chronic headaches
- Neuropathies
- Chronic migraines
- Nerve pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
What Causes Headaches?
The effectiveness of your headache treatment depends on recognizing the underlying cause of it. Headaches can be caused by a variety of reasons, and the exact cause varies from person to person.
While inflammation in the blood vessels or surrounding tissues in your head is the most common cause of headaches, other causes include:
- Stress, anxiety and poor posture, typically related to tension headaches and are characterized by a continuous, dull discomfort on both sides of the head
- Hypothalamic disorders that lead to cluster headaches are intense headaches that happen in clusters or patterns
- Sinuses, which can be caused by allergies or infections and accompanied by additional symptoms such as congestion and facial pain
- Overuse of pain medications like prescription drugs can result in rebound headaches after the medication wears off
- Dehydration, or a lack of sufficient liquids
- Caffeine withdrawal, seen in lifelong caffeine users when suddenly quitting or reducing caffeine intake, precipitating withdrawal symptoms
- Eyestrain after prolonged use of electronic devices, reading in bad lighting or other activities that strain the eyes
- Diets containing additives, such as MSG or tyramine
Numerous risk factors are involved with headache development, and it’s important to know these risk factors to prevent headaches and allow your headache doctor to find the best remedies for you.
Risks include:
- A family history of headaches, particularly migraines
- Gender, as migraines are more common in women because of hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause
- Age, because headaches have age-related patterns, and migraines frequently begin in adolescence
- Hormones, when changes in estrogen levels cause migraines
- Triggers you may encounter, such as strong odors, loud noises or weather changes
- Inadequate or irregular sleep
- Poor diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive caffeine or alcohol usage
What Are the Available Headache Treatment Options?
The treatment for headaches depends on the source and kind of headache. A headache doctor should be consulted for an appropriate diagnosis and specific treatment strategy.
A general treatment plan includes:
- Medication-based approach. This includes over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin. Prescription drugs such as triptans, beta-blockers, antidepressants and anticonvulsants may also be included.
- Non-medicinal and lifestyle management approach. Rest strategies, hydration and regular meals, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), physical therapy and identifying and avoiding triggers usually is recommended.
- Procedural and injectable interventions. Nerve blocks and injections provide treatment for persistent migraines by focusing on specific nerves, decreasing pain signals and preventing headaches from recurring.
- Injections of Botox have proven to be effective for relieving chronic headaches.
Specialized and effective treatment plans depend on the diagnosis made. Consult with a headache specialist near me, so he knows which diagnostic tool to use.
Some common diagnostic tools may include:
- A thorough examination of the headache’s characteristics, frequency and concomitant symptoms, as well as the identification of potential causes and patterns
- Neurological examination to measure reflexes, sensibility and coordination, as well as head, neck and ocular examination to look for anomalies
- CT Scan or MRI to rule out structural concerns such as tumors or brain abnormalities
- Blood tests to look for infections, inflammation or metabolic abnormalities
- Examination of eyes for any vision issues or eye diseases that may be causing headaches
What Are Some Signs I Need a Doctor for Headaches?
Headaches can cause a variety of symptoms, and different types of headaches have specific characteristics, such as cluster headaches, which cause extreme pain around one eye or on one side of the face.
Common symptoms include:
- Soreness in the upper neck
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Brief vision changes
- Fatigue, weariness and excessive tiredness
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks
Some headaches have more complex symptoms, and the underlying causes might require specialized treatment by a doctor. If you get severe, persistent, or unusual headaches, seek medical attention immediately, especially if they’re accompanied by other troubling symptoms.
Some complicated symptoms may include:
- Hemiplegic migraines, which are migraines with momentary paralysis or weakness on one side, as well as speech impairments
- Post-concussion headaches that refer to persistent headaches after a brain injury, sometimes accompanied by dizziness and difficulty concentrating
- Temporal arteritis, a headache caused by inflammation of the temporal arteries, characterized by severe headache, jaw discomfort and vision impairment
- Cluster headaches, which are intense, repetitive headaches that occur around one eye and are accompanied by symptoms such as red eyes and nasal congestion.
If there’s a suspicion of meningitis, bleeding in the brain or other cerebrospinal fluid-related disorders, a lumbar puncture may be performed. For the best treatment and diagnosis, select the best headache doctor. Contact Pain Management NYC. The doctors working there provide personalized care plans designed to meet individual needs. Their expertise ensures accurate diagnosis, the best treatment options and comprehensive care.
Leon Reyfman, MD, is a top-rated, best-in-class interventional pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New York City and the country. He is an award-winning expert and contributor to prominent media outlets.
Dr. Leon Reyfman has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain. He has been named a “top pain management doctor in New York” and one of “America’s Top Doctors™” for advanced sports injury treatments. Among other accolades, he was voted by peers as a “Castle Connolly Top Doctors™” and “New York Super Doctors™”. Dr. Leon Reyfman was a part of the medical team at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.