What are headaches?
Headaches are a painful condition that affects the head or face. The type and severity of the pain may depend on the cause.
For most people, headaches cause mild to moderate pain that quickly resolves with at-home care. However, for some people, headaches cause chronic pain that may be severe and debilitating.
Dr. Lalani is an experienced neurologist and pain medicine physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of headaches.
What are the types of headaches?
There are many types of headaches. Dr. Lalani classifies headaches based on whether the cause of the head pain is primary or secondary.
Primary headaches
Primary headaches are pain conditions that develop from increased electrical activity or an issue with pain structures in the head. Migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches are examples of primary headaches.
Secondary headaches
Secondary headaches are pain conditions that develop from an underlying medical condition.
For example, temporal arteritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the arteries, most often affecting the arteries that supply blood to your brain. People who suffer from temporal arteritis may experience headaches, scalp tenderness, or facial pain.
A cervicogenic headache is also a type of secondary headache. With this condition, the pain originates from the neck and radiates into the head. Sleep apnea, brain tumors, and anemia are also underlying medical conditions that may cause headaches.
How are headaches treated?
Dr. Lalani takes a personalized approach to care. When you visit his office searching for relief from your headaches, he conducts a thorough history and physical to determine the underlying cause of your pain.
Once he identifies the cause, he spends time talking to you about your diagnosis and treatment options. The specifics of your headache treatment plan may depend on your diagnosis, severity and frequency of your symptoms, and personal preferences.
Your headache treatment plan may include:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Disease-specific medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Pain medication
- Botox® injections for chronic migraines
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
Dr. Lalani works closely with you and adjusts your plan as needed to ensure you get long-term relief from your headaches.
For expert management of your headaches, call the office of Irfan Lalani, MD, PA, or schedule a consultation online today.
