Migraines & Headaches

Headaches are extremely common, and most patients have experienced a headache in their lifetime. There are many types of headaches, some benign and some dangerous. It is therefore important to differentiate the type of headache a person may be experiencing. Fortunately, most headaches are benign and can be labelled as tension headaches. However, in rare instances, a headache or migraine may signal a serious brain complication, such as bleeding. At Myneurva Brain Centers in Hackensack, New Jersey, Frederick Starr, MD, FAACAP, is well trained to distinguish these various types of headache and to recommend the most specific and effective treatment. Call the office to schedule an appointment or request one online today. 

What causes headaches?

There are many types of headaches, and multiple classifications of headaches have been proposed over the years. It is important to distinguish between common and rare causes of headache. 

Common causes of headache include the following:

• Migraine headache and its variants
• Tension headaches 
• Traumatically induced headaches
• Whiplash injury from a motor vehicle accident or similar trauma
• Jaw problems like TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain

Uncommon causes of headache: 

• Masses or tumors that cause displacement of the brain
• Blood clots that put pressure on the brain
• Brain infections, like meningitis or encephalitis 
• Raised intracranial pressure
• Complications from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy (typical cancer treatments)

When should I talk to a doctor about headaches and migraines?

If you have a severe headache, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room. It may represent a life-threatening situation that you should not ignore, and you should avail yourself of the diagnostic capabilities of a hospital. 

If you have moderate headaches that are new to you and do not go away with over-the-counter medication, you should consult a headache specialist or neurologist. If you have chronic headaches and your medication stops working, you should consult a neurologist. If you have a headache that is associated with a known cause like high blood pressure, then you must treat the high blood pressure to relieve the headache. This may require seeing a family physician or going to the emergency room to get prescription medication to control the high blood pressure or hypertension. 

Some people have headaches or migraines that are triggered by specific causes, like foods, skipping meals, or even smells, which should be identified and eliminated from the diet or activity.

How is the cause of my headaches or migraines diagnosed?

Dr. Starr thoroughly evaluates all aspects of your headaches and migraines, as well as your overall health. He talks to you in detail about your medical history, symptoms, general health, and lifestyle.

Dr. Starr needs to know about the frequency of your headaches or migraines and other details, like what kind of pain you’re suffering, where it’s at, and if you know of anything that triggers your headaches. He also uses diagnostic tests, including lab work, MRIs, CT scans, and an electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess your brain health.

How are headaches and migraines treated?

The proper treatment of the headache should be as specific as possible to the type of headache diagnosed. For example, TMJ headaches are treated with a soft-food diet and a mouth guard, typically worn while sleeping.

Migraine headaches are typically treated with medications to prevent (take it either daily by mouth, or monthly by injection) and to stop an acute headache (abortive type medication). If a patient has brain imaging that shows structural pathology, the treatment is dictated by the specific nature of the pathology (e.g., tumor, blood clot). 

If you’re interested in seeking treatment for headaches or migraines, call Myneurva Brain Centers or request an appointment online today.