Headache & Migraine
Our headache and migraine specialists are dedicated to helping patients reduce pain and enjoy a happy, healthy life.
Headaches are an extremely common condition that causes pain in the head and/or neck. Although some headaches are mild, others can have a significant impact on daily living. Headaches are complicated - with multiple types, symptoms, approaches to treatment and prevention. Luckily, most headaches are treatable with lifestyle changes and/or medication.
When to See a Neurologist
Whenever headaches interfere with your life, it is time to see a specialist. If you or someone you know suffers from headaches, consider these questions:
1. Do headaches ever limit school, work, or social activity?
2. Are headaches becoming more frequent or more severe?
3. Do any other problems come with the headaches, such as nausea, visual changes, numbness or weakness?
4. Is there a strong family history of headaches?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, you would likely benefit from evaluation by one of our neurologists, who are here to make your headaches more manageable and reduce their impact on daily living.
Types of Headaches
There are over 100 different types of headaches. A few of the more common headaches we evaluate and treat at the Kutcher Clinic include:
TENSION/STRESS
pain squeezing around
the crown of the head
throbbing pain (usually on one side) nausea, vision changes, sensitivity to light/sound
REBOUND
occurs when a person stops taking a medication they
often used to treat headaches
CLUSTER
excruciating & sharp
pain, behind an eye
pain in back of
head, top of neck
(also known as cervicogenic headache)
occurs after a head injury, with a range of other symptoms
MIGRAINE
NECK-RELATED
Post-Traumatic
Headache Causes, Prevention & Hygiene
The reality is that preventing a headache is much easier than treating one. Prevention starts with understanding what is causing the headache.
To understand what may be causing the headaches, patients are encouraged to keep a headache diary to help identify trends with weather, food, behaviors, hormone cycles, stress, sleep and exercise patterns. Common headache triggers include:
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aged cheeses
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alcohol (especially red wine)
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artificial sweeteners
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caffeine (withdrawal or excess)
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chocolate
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citrus fruit
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cured meats
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dehydration
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eye strain
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fatigue
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lights (bright)
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menstruation
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medication overuse
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MSG (soy sauce)
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odors (ex: perfume)
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nuts
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processed foods
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salty or sugary snacks
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sedentary lifestyle
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sleep deprivation
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stress
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weather changes
Lifestyle adjustments, including avoiding or reducing exposure to your triggers, can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. In addition to understanding your headache triggers, we believe that these "Headache Hygiene Tips" can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
HYDRATION
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drink plenty of water throughout the day
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most people need 4 - 6 cups of water per day, though some may need more or less
CAFFEINE & ALCOHOL
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excess use and/or withdrawal from caffeine can trigger headaches
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alcohol can trigger headaches for some people
STRESS
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stress can trigger or increase headaches
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mind/body practices are effective at reducing headaches
SLEEP
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go to sleep & wake up at the same time every day
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avoid naps, excessive sleep or sleep deprivation
MEALS
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eat 3 balanced meals a day with focus on "clean eating"
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minimize additives & avoid identified triggers
EXERCISE
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moderate intensity exercise, on a regular basis, can reduce stress & help with sleep
Headache and Migraine Treatment
Although headaches and migraines may not always be curable, there are treatment options to make them manageable. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and preventing a headache. Headache and migraine treatment options at the Kutcher Clinic may include:
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trigger point injections
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nerve blocks
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Botox for migraine
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massage therapy
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physical therapy
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over-the-counter & prescription medications