Headaches
Did you know that around 40% or 3.4 billion people globally suffer from a headache condition? If you’ve been dealing with headaches and don’t know what to do, we got you covered! We created this guide below to help you navigate this pesky condition.
What are the different types of headaches?
- Tension headaches – the most common cause. Feels like a band that “tenses” around your head. Triggers include: stress, mental strain, poor sleep, dehydration, caffeine, PMS.
- Migraine headaches – Think “throbbing” and “pulsing” pain, oftentimes with heightened sensitivity to light/sound/smell, accompanying nausea/vomiting and visual changes.
- Cluster headaches – a rare form of headache, often involving nasal congestion, crying, and eyelid changes.
- Secondary headache – headache due to other underlying diseases such as cancer and stroke.
When do I need to see a physician for my headache?
We all have headaches, but when they impair our ability to perform our everyday activities, it may be necessary to see a physician. Important symptoms to look out for include but are not limited to:
- New headaches, different from ones in the past, after the age of 50
- Headaches in conjunction with stiff neck and changes in mental function
- Headaches after trauma such as hitting your head while falling.
- Headaches with slurred speech or numbness/weakness on one side of your body
- Headaches that last for days at a time, or that occur more than 15 days in a month.
- Headaches involving sensitivity to light/sound/smell, nausea and vomiting, or visual changes.
- Headaches unresponsive to therapy
What is the treatment for my headache?
This is the tricky part. There are several classes of medications, each with their own mechanisms of action and side effects. There is no single best drug for everyone. Rather, treatment is best tailored to each individual based on the cause of their headaches.
What are the next steps?
This is where Zhu Family Medicine comes in. We are a Houston based, primary care practice located 5 minutes from the Galleria. Let us work together to craft a custom plan to fix your headaches and get your life back on track!
