Headache Treatment Clinic in Reseda, CA

There are many different types of headaches that people can suffer from, with each type of headache caused by a different type of trigger. Headaches can be classified as either primary headaches or secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not caused by an underlying disease and are the result of overactivity or an issue with the head’s pain-sensitive structures. Secondary headaches are associated with a disease that can trigger the pain-sensitive nerves in the head.
 
That being said, there is a wide variety of factors that can contribute to the appearance of a headache and the symptoms help doctors to pinpoint what type of headache it is, and what caused it. Some factors that can cause primary headaches are chemical activity in the brain, the muscles in the head and neck, genetics, alcohol, certain foods, poor posture, skipped meals, lack of sleep, and stress. Secondary headaches are often caused by issues such as blood clots, acute sinusitis, dehydration, dental problems, medications, and a long list of other medical conditions.

Headaches are classified into two main categories based on whether or not they are the result of an underlying medical condition. Headaches not associated with a medical condition, and are simply the result of overactivity or issues with the pain structures in the head are called primary headaches. Primary headaches can be broken down into types, including migraines, migraines with aura, cluster headaches, tension headaches, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia. Secondary headaches are headaches that are associated with a disease that affects the pain nerves in the head and can be caused by a wide range of conditions.
 
Some conditions that cause secondary headaches are blood clots, acute sinusitis, concussion, ear infection, brain tumor, hypertension, meningitis, stroke, and a long list of other conditions. If you experience headaches regularly, your doctor may want to send you to a specialist to check for underlying health issues that could be causing them. Treating headaches with over-the-counter or prescription painkillers can cause damage to some of the inner organs like the stomach and kidneys with prolonged use, particularly in high doses. Determining the cause can also help to eliminate headaches, especially when they are symptoms of an underlying condition.

Most people will experience headaches at one point or another in their lives, although some people do seem to experience them on a more frequent basis and at greater severity than others. In the majority of cases, headaches can be treated at home, with over-the-counter medications or self-care methods, including massage, rest, a hot bath, and other calming, relaxation techniques. If your headaches have changed recently and you are finding them to be more severe, occurring more often, not improving with medication, or preventing you from your normal daily activities, including work, school, and sleeping, it is a good time to make an appointment with your family doctor to get checked over. In other cases, headaches can be a sign of a medical emergency and require immediate medical attention.
 
For cases where you experience a sudden, severe headache, the worst headache ever or are accompanied by additional symptoms such as confusion, fainting, high fever, paralysis, weakness or numbness, trouble seeing, walking, or speaking, or have nausea or vomiting, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

There are several ways to treat headaches, depending on the classification of the headache and the cause. Primary headaches are typically treatable with painkillers, either over-the-counter or prescription, rest, heat, ice, massage, rehydrating, eating or other alternative methods to counteract the lifestyle or environmental factors that initially caused the headache. Secondary headaches can be harder to treat, as the headache can be treated using the same methods as a primary headache, but as they are typically the symptom of a medical condition, they will keep coming back.
 
Finding and treating the condition that is causing the headaches is the best course of action to treat the headaches once and for all. Seeking the care of an experienced primary care doctors, such as the team at Rachman Medical Group, will ensure that the pain is being treated at its source in a way that won’t cause additional problems with your overall health. Rachman Medical Group uses a variety of alternative pain management techniques that are safe and effective, without having to rely on medications. Call us during our business hours for further information. We serve patients from Reseda CA, San Fernando CA, Twin Lakes CA, Hidden Hills CA, and Burbank CA.