A headache is localized or radiating pain in one or more regions of your head. The frequency may be occasional and of short-duration, or chronic, which may require medical attention.
Causes
Some of the common causes of a headache include:
- Migraine
- Tension or stress
- Certain medications
- Sinus cavity inflammation
- Head injury
- Specific types of exercise
- Hormonal imbalance
- Various diseases
- Certain medical procedures such as a spinal tap
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Excess caffeine
- Sleep disturbances
- Eye defects
- Unknown genetic factors
Symptoms of a Headache
The symptoms vary as do the triggers that cause your headache. Symptoms may include:
Localised or radiating pain at one or both sides of the head
- “Heaviness" of the head
- Teary and red eyes
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea and vomiting
Headache Management
Some important headache management methods include one or more of the following:
Avoiding the Triggers
It is important to know what triggers the pain so you can prevent it from occurring. Maintain a record of the following factors when you get a headache for better management:
- The specific start time of the headache
- The trigger(s) experienced
- If it occurs during menses in women
- If it directly follows another symptom
Medications
Your doctor can prescribe certain medications to relieve your headache. These medications can be combined with other treatment options such as:
- Proper sleep
- Massage therapy
- Use of cold or hot compresses
Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies can include:
- Osteopathy or Chiropractic sessions
- Stress management techniques
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Botox injections
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
- Reducing the intake of caffeine
- Managing stress
- Eating healthier food
- Quitting alcohol consumption or smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Practising relaxation techniques
- Losing weight, if obese
- Managing blood pressure or diabetes
- Getting sufficient sleep in a dark environment
- Regularly following up with your doctor
Botox for Chronic Migraine
Botox is a type of purified protein synthesized from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox injection or Botulinum toxin injection is administered through a fine needle into the treatment area and works by blocking the action of certain chemicals that induce muscle contraction or spasm and relaxing the contracted muscles. It was originally introduced for the treatment of certain eye disorders. Currently, the use of Botox therapy has been expanded to include many other medical and cosmetic applications.
Trigger Point Injections
A trigger point injection or TPI is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure employed for the treatment of chronic muscle pain, stiffness, and inflammation caused by trigger points.