There are two classifications of headaches; primary, the most common, and secondary, which result from an underlying condition. Your doctor will approach your discomfort depending on your condition. Here is what you need to know about a headache in Schaumburg:
What are headaches?
To understand what a headache is and the root cause of this condition, you will need to separate headaches into two distinct classes. Primary headaches include migraines and tension-type and are the most common. Another type of primary headache is trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Although most patients complain of episodic headaches, they are facing this chronic condition lasting for two weeks to a month.
Your doctor will need to conduct a few tests that will confirm the diagnosis of a primary headache. The first thing your care provider will do is to review and understand the patient medical history. Your doctor needs to discuss with you your symptoms to understand the characteristics of your headache. Another crucial part of understanding your disease is by conducting a neurological exam on the patient.
Once your doctor rules out primary headaches and suspects an underlying cause, the next step involves diagnosing the possibility of a secondary headache. These headaches always develop due to an underlying condition. Your doctor will conduct imaging and laboratory tests that provide more information about the state of your body, thus creating a way for your doctor to analyze what the underlying problem might be. Treating the underlying problem will cause the headache to go away.
Conservative treatments for migraines
If you want to lower your risk of developing migraines, you must strictly follow a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, ensure that you drink plenty of water and eat well-balanced meals. As a result, your body and mind will become fiction optimally. It would be best if you also stayed away from triggers by minimizing stress and getting enough rest. Aim to sleep for at least eight hours every night for your mind and body to regenerate. You might also want to prevent medication overuse by limiting dependence on over-the-counter medication. Maintain regular schedules and avoid skipping meals that are not healthy for your mind.
You should seek emergency care for your headaches to prevent them from getting worse. One common treatment doctors recommend is the use of migraine-specific medication to relieve the pain. It would be best to stay away from opioids because they are addictive and might cause medication overuse headaches.
How to prevent migraines
For most medical concerns, prevention is always better than cure. There are many reasons you have a migraine. One preventative measure is to take antidepressants that help to solve mental concerns. Consequently, you are free of any potential problems that might stress you out and cause you to develop a migraine.
Finding the right care provider to manage your condition
There are many other types of headaches that might be hindering your comfort and ability to perform optimally. Contact Exhale Sinus and Facial Pain Center to learn more about the different types of primary and secondary headaches, the best preventative therapy to incorporate into your life, and the ideal treatment plan that will relieve your symptoms and leave you feeling free to resume daily activities.
