Headaches Specialist

What are the different types of headaches?

Not all headaches are equal. Some are more severe than others, and different types affect different areas of the head, neck, and even the body. Common types of headache include:

• Tension headache
• Cluster headache
• Thunderclap headache
• Migraine
• Secondary headaches resulting from stress, hormones, caffeine, or exertion

Some people experience more than one type of headache, making treatment more complex. Dr. Azeem is experienced in treating complex cases involving multiple types of headache or headache accompanied by underlying conditions.

What are headache triggers?

Some types of headaches, particularly migraines, come on as a result of an environmental or biological stimuli. While everyone has different triggers, common ones include:

• Hormonal changes
• Specific foods
• Some drinks, particularly wine and caffeinated beverages
• Stress
• Exertion
• Weather — sometimes a changes in barometric pressure can trigger a migraine
• Stimuli to your senses, such as strong odors, loud sounds, or bright lights

Some chronic migraine sufferers frequently experience a phase called “aura” shortly before a migraine comes on. Auras are typically visual disturbances, such as spots or geometrical lines and shapes. In some cases, auras also include sensory disturbances, such as tingling or numbness in an arm that works its way up to your face and tongue. Auras usually last 10-30 minutes.

How are headaches treated?

The first step in treating your headache is to determine if there is some underlying cause. If no underlying cause can be identified, Dr. Azeem will focus on pain management and prevention.

Overusing medication can cause headaches, so Dr. Azeem may suggest you slowly stop taking any headache medications. If you do so but are still experiencing headaches, other treatments include:

• Antidepressants
• Beta blockers
• Anti-seizure medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Botox injections
• Biofeedback
• Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation (t-SNS)

If you’d like to learn whether a specific treatment approach may work to relieve your headaches, call or book a consultation online at Florida Spine & Pain Specialists.