Headache
Headaches and headache disorders fit into both the neurology and the pain management categories. Because of the complexities of headaches, however, a separate category is created.
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Headache general information
Headache FAQs
Headache diagnostic testing
Headache treatment options
Headache medication options
Headache news
Headache links
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Our knowledge of headache disorders continues to expand as new research reveals more and more information. The medical community is developing new treatment protocols for chronic headaches and patients are learning to reduce headache severity, frequency and/or duration through diet, exercise and other physical means.
There was a time when headaches were considered either migraine or non-migraine. Unfortunately, this led to a common misunderstanding. Most people now use the word "migraine" to signify a "bad headache" but the term migraine was originally used to describe a specific neurological syndrome. Partly because of the common misunderstanding about the term "migraine" and partly because of newer research into headache types, many physicians now believe in a continuum of headache disorders and no longer separate a specific patient's headache into either a "migraine" or "non-migraine" category. (more below)
Treatments are evolving. Currently, it is believed that daily pain-killer use may actually worsen headache or maintain it. In fact, recent studies have been consistent in their conclusion: daily pain medications can and do cause a rebound headache. Yet, for those patients who have failed lesser means, the use of daily pain medication is within the standard of care. It is not clear yet whether the analgesically-mediated headache results from short-acting drugs, long-acting drugs or both.
Current treatments involve prophylactic medication, rare use of pain killers (unless other modalities have failed), and other modalities from exercise to stress reduction. Botox also can be helpful for headache disorders but currently is off label for that purpose.
Click here for more treatment options. Also, to find more information about headaches, please check out our headache links.
DIAGNOSIS: To obtain the correct diagnosis, one or more of the following common
tests may be ordered:
EMG/NCV studies: these are neurological studies for nerve or muscle injury
Blood tests: these are for multiple different conditions
Lumbar puncture: this is to analyze spinal fluid for various conditions
MRI: this is to obtain a detailed picture of neurological tissues
Discogram: this is to diagnose and verify spinal disc disease
TREATMENTS: Treatment options vary depending on the underlying diagnosis. Common
treatments include:
Botox injections for neurological or pain management purposes
Various injections for neurological or pain management purposes
Psychological services
Implanted electrical stimulators for neurology or pain
Personal therapies
MEDICATIONS:
In addition to non-medication modalities, medications may be helpful in
neurological and painful conditions.
Neurological medications: some examples of commonly used neurological
medications
Headache medications: some examples of commonly used headache medications
Pain medications: some examples of commonly used chronic pain medications