HEADACHES

headaches and migraines

Millions of Americans will suffer with migraine headaches every year. The American Migraine Foundation estimates that number to be around 36 million.

Migraines are powerful, throbbing headaches that can be debilitating for those who suffer with them. They usually occur on one side of the head. Sometimes they can last for hours or even days. Other symptoms may come with migraines including sensitivity to light and sound, and possible nausea and vomiting.

Types of Migraines and Headaches
There are many different types of headaches, so pinpointing them with a headache specialist can take time. Migraine headaches are typically triggered by things like foods, smells, lights and sounds, or a sudden change in the environment. What happens next determines the type of headache, and the most effective treatment plan.
- Complicated Migraine
  
  A complicated migraine is accompanied by an aura, which signals that severe pain is coming.
- Common Migraine
  
  The common migraine does not have the warning mechanisms of prodrome and aura. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other types of migraine.
- Silent Migraine
  
  This type of migraine, also known as acephalgic migraine, includes the aura phase and other symptoms of migraine without the head pain. Sufferers are likely to have other types of migraines as well.
- Hemiplegic Migraine
  
  This migraine resembles a stroke with weakness or numbness one one side of the body. Like the silent migraine, it does not always include head pain.
- Retinal Migraine
  
  Temporary vision loss is the primary sign of this migraine, most common among younger women. Blindness is usually reversible, but can last anywhere from a minute to months. Those who experience a retinal migraine should see a specialist as soon as possible.
- Chronic Migraine
  
  If a headache occurs more than 15 days a month, it can be chronic migraine. The severity of symptoms and pain may vary from attack to attack.
- Ice Pick Headache
  
  These are sudden with intense pain that feels, as the name implies, like you are being stabbed with an ice pick. They are short, usually lasting 30 seconds or less, but extremely painful.
- Cluster Headache
  
  This is one of the most painful types of headache. Symptoms include burning pain around the eyes, temples and sometimes the back of the head. It can be accompanied by other symptoms such as red, puffy eyes or a runny nose.
- Cervicogenic Headache
  
  This headache is actually caused by pain from the neck or spine and often requires physical therapy in addition to other treatments.
Stages of a Migraine
- Prodrome
  
  Subtle changes 24-48 hours ahead of time may warn of approaching migraine headaches. These can include mood changes, food cravings, increased thirst and urination and neck stiffness.
- Aura
  
  About 25 percent of migraine headaches have an aura 20 minutes to an hour before an attack. Auras usually affect vision, with sufferers seeing dots, lines or flashing. But they can include other symptoms, such as numbness in the face or body, slurred speech, uncontrollable jerking or hearing problems.
- Attack
  
  Pain will occur, usually on one side of the head, but sometimes on both, and can be accompanied by other symptoms.
- Post-drome
  
  Feelings of confusion and fatigue may last up to a day after an attack. Certain movements may trigger the pain to return briefly.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)

The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to your skull. There is one joint on either side of the jaw. When the joint is injured, it can cause pain.

Injury can happen because a patient grinds their teeth (bruxism). An injury to the head or the neck could also cause issues in the TMJ.

Things to Know about TMDs
If you are wondering if you need to recieve treatment for a TMD there are some things to know beforehand:
- It is normal hear a click sound in the temporomandibular joint. As long as there is no pain with the clicking sound it does not need treatment.
- Your pain symptoms could likely go away on it’s own.
TMD Treatments
Here are some things that could help TMD symptoms:
- Eating soft foods
- Actions to reduce jaw clenching, gum chewing and/or nail biting.
- Hot and Cold compresses on the face
- Over the counter pain relief medications
- Prescription Medications
- Injections
- Physical Therapy

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia can cause a painful sensation in one side of the head or face. It feels something like an electric shock. It is caused by an issue with the trigeminal nerve, located in in the face. The Trigeminal Nerve’s job is to carry sensations from the face to the brain.

Causes of Trigeminal Neralgia
Treatment Options
Although Trigeminal Neuralgia cannot be cured, there are some therapies at AVALA Pain that can help reduce the symptoms.

Medications are the first option for treating the pain symptoms. If that is not controlling the symptoms, some procedures are available including:
- Glycerol Injections
- Radiofrequency lesioning
- Balloon Compression
- Surgery

WHEN TO SEE A PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Our interventional pain specialists can diagnose rare headache disorders and break the cycle of long-lasting or acute migraine headaches. They also are up-to-date on the full spectrum of headache medicines and the most effective treatments, including SPG injections (sphenopalatine ganglion blocks), RFA of the occipital nerve, and spinal cord stimulator.

LEARN MORE
- If you take medication for headache pain almost every day, or if the prescribed dose fails to work.
- Traditional medications fail to help, or have unmanageable side effects.
- Headaches persist for greater than 72 hours, or occur more than once or twice a week.
- Headaches disrupt daily routine or degrade quality of life.
- You develop a headache with new patterns, symptoms or qualities that differ from your normal headaches.

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