HEADACHE & MIGRAINE TREATMENT & RELIEF:
GENERAL MEDICAL
Head Pain is one of the most common reasons why patients consult their doctors in the Western world.
Your Doctor is an expert at diagnosing head pain and providing pain management and / or referral.
See Doctors with expertise in head pain
- Addressing Headaches and Migraines which are secondary to underlying pathology or disease processes.
ie: blood pressure problems and nerve problems / diseases. - Acute Treatment. This is usually administered once the headache or migraine has begun, and usually involves medications such as pain killers (analgesics); anti-emetics for nausea; sumatriptan, ergotamine, and Triptan based medications which act on the blood vessels or neurotransmitters; as well as non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
- Prophylactic Treatment. This approach is directed towards reducing attacks ( usually with daily medication); in sufferers of frequent migraines; and may also involve investigating any underlying aggravating factors/causes of the problem and dealing with them directly or through referral.
- Avoidance of Triggers. This can involve food diaries to help identify foods which precipitate attacks, modifying dietary habits, and identification of allergies.
- Non-Pharmacological Treatments. This may involve any number of different types of therapy, including stress management, vitamin therapy, and referral to other health care experts to deal with specific problems.
- Referral. This is useful where a problem is identified that requires expertise in a specific area such as- nerve problems, muscle or joint problems, dental problems e.t.c
Your medical doctor can be of great help in this regard, addressing medical related issues and medications; and referring out for specific treatments or tests- especially where the headaches and migraines may be caused by a number of problems.
All cases of headache & migraine need to be properly diagnosed by a trained health care professional first.your family doctor is ideally positioned to help make decisions with you and co-ordinate any therapeutic trials. Many cases have a number of causes (not just one), so it is important to consider a combination of therapies / or approaches when this is the case.
Head Pain Articles by Head Pain Experts
Inner Ear Pain
Inner Ear The ear is generally described in three parts: outer, middle and inner. Different conditions can affect each of these separately or can progressively involve all parts of the ear bone and its surrounding structures. Pain , especially constant or worsening pain about the ear, is a serious symptom and must be carefully assessed… Read More
Middle Ear Pain
Middle Ear pain The ear is generally described in three parts: outer, middle and inner. Different conditions can affect each of these separately or can progressively involve all parts of the ear bone and its surrounding structures. Pain , especially constant or worsening pain about the ear, is a serious symptom and must be carefully… Read More
Outer Ear Pain
Outer Ear Pain The ear is generally described in three parts: outer, middle and inner. Different conditions can affect each of these separately or can progressively involve all parts of the ear bone and its surrounding structures. Pain , especially constant or worsening pain about the ear, is a serious symptom and must be carefully… Read More
Brain Haemorrhages
Brain Haemorrhages The blood vessels within the skull are sensitive to pain stimuli, as to are the surrounding membranes that hold the brain in the correct position. When a blood vessel ruptures (either spontaneously or due to trauma / or pressure), it usually causes a sudden, severe headache, and may displace some of the brain… Read More
Brain-Nerve Tumours
Brain-Nerve Tumours Tumours in and around the brain can certainly cause headaches, but fortunately they are fairly rare in occurrence. Depending on the type of tumour and the location, symptoms will vary. Most often there is a slow progressive increase in pressure inside the skull (as the tumour grows), so symptoms are usually also slow… Read More
Nerve Infections
Nerve Infections Some infections such as Meningitis can cause headaches and migraine like symptoms. Usually these cases will also be accompanied by the associated symptoms of an infection (such as fever, rash, and feeling unwell); but this may not be the case in all patients. Other symptoms can include stiffness in the neck (usually of… Read More
Brain and Nerve Diseases and Damage
Brain and Nerve Diseases and Damage Some conditions involve inflammation or degeneration of nerve tissue in the brain, spinal cord, and / or nerves in the body itself. This situation can cause irritation to these nerves and consequently can lead to pain in the head and face regions. Multiple Sclerosis is one such condition, and… Read More
Post Trauma Headaches and other problems
Post Trauma Headaches and other problems Post trauma headaches are a common result of ‘concussion’, where there has been a blow to the head or sudden jolting of the head (ie: car accident, falling off a horse). It is very important to get these headaches properly investigated by a medical expert, as there may be… Read More
Intracranial Pressure
Brain / nerve pains IntraCranial Pressure: pressure within the skull INCREASED PRESSURE INSIDE THE SKULL The brain is surrounded by fluid called ‘cerebrospinal’ fluid which bathes it with nutrients, and provides a cushion for the sensitive nerve cells (called neurones) which make up much of the brain tissue. The pressure of this fluid is usually… Read More
Jaw Pain – TMJ & TMD and Headaches
Jaw Pain – TMJ & TMD and Headaches The joint of the lower jaw is known as the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ), and it joins the skull in close proximity to the ears. Problems arising within either of these joints are often referred to as Temporo-Mandibular joint Disorders, or (TMD). TMD can arise from many factors… Read More