Headache
Headache is common and can seriously affect the quality of life. A neurology consultant can help when headaches don’t respond to the usual treatments. Dr. Vardanhave extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of headache disorders.
When we think of headaches and neurologists, We usually think of migraine. Certainly migraine is a common neurological problem, but Dr. Vardan treat the full spectrum of headache disorders, including tension type headache, cluster headache, chronic daily headache, medication overuse headache, cervicogenic headache, and post-traumatic headache. These are just a few of the types of headaches that only neurologists can treat.
What Causes Headaches?
Headache pain results from signals interacting among the brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves. During a headache, an unknown mechanism activates specific nerves that affect muscles and blood vessels. These nerves send pain signals to the brain. There are some common reasons for headache such as:
Illness. This can include infections, colds, and fevers. Headaches are also common with conditions like sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), a throat infection, or an ear infection. In some cases, headaches can result from a blow to the head or, rarely, a sign of a more serious medical problem.- Stress. Emotional stress and depression as well as alcohol use, skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, and taking too much medication. Other causes include neck or back strain due to poor posture.
- Your environment, including secondhand tobacco smoke, strong smells from household chemicals or perfumes, allergens, and certain foods. Stress, pollution, noise, lighting, and weather changes are other possible triggers..
- Genetics. Headaches, especially migraine headaches, tend to run in families. Most children and teens (90%) who have migraines have other family members who get them. When both parents have a history of migraines, there is a 70% chance their child will also have them. If only one parent has a history of these headaches, the risk drops to 25%-50%.
Evaluation of Headache Disorders
The first step in your evaluation, your neurologist will spend a great deal of time talking with you, taking a careful history, and doing a brief neurological examination. Some of the helpful information to evaluate the headache disorders are :-
How often your headaches occur
Things that seem to trigger your headaches
Medications you have used in the past along with dosages and how long you took them
Brain scan – MRI or CT SCAN may also be ordered, depending on your history and examination.
Treatment
The first step in foiling your frequent headaches is determining what type of headache you have. Sometimes headaches are a symptom of another disease or condition; sometimes there’s no clear cause.
Firstly, we will take a close look at your headache signs and symptoms. Keeping a headache diary might help determine your headache type. When headaches occur there may some symptoms and potential triggers, such as food, stress or changes in sleep.
Even though you’re getting treatment, you should still steer clear of the things you know can triggers.
it’s important to stick to healthy habits that will keep you feeling good, like regular exercise, enough sleep, and a healthy diet. Also, make your scheduled follow-up appointments so your doctor can see how you’re doing and make changes in the treatment program if you need them.
When a headache could be an emergency
- The worst headache of your life
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking or understanding others who are speaking
- Slurred speech or a hoarse voice
- Numbness or weakness in the face or extremities, especially if it’s on one side
- Tremors or clumsiness
- Vision problems, like difficulty seeing or double vision
- Unequal pupil size
- A drooping eyelid on one side
Dr. Vardan (neurosurgeons) have access to the range of treatments available.