Headaches

Most people experience headaches now and again, but for some, the intense pain and frequency are disabling. If you repeatedly get severe headaches, visit Dr. Farhad Elyaderani  at his offices in New Rochelle, New York. Dr. Elyaderani is an experienced, board-certified neurologist specializing in diagnosing and treating all kinds of headaches. Call the office to request an appointment or schedule a headache evaluation with Dr. Elyaderani using the online booking feature today.

What are headaches?

Headaches cause pain in any part of the head. The pain may be concentrated in a specific location, affect one or both sides of your head, or radiate from one area to another. Symptoms vary depending on which kind of headache you have but may include aching, throbbing, or sharp pain.

Secondary headache disorders develop because of an underlying condition, such as:

• Head injuries
• Infection
• Stroke
• Tumor
• Addiction withdrawal side effects

Primary headache disorders are those without an underlying condition, such as migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.

Some people have chronic headaches that occur 15 or more days every month.

What kinds of headaches might affect me?

There are numerous different headaches (over 150), varying from mild to severe. They include:

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common kind. They develop because of tense muscles in your neck and head, typically due to stress.

Migraines

Migraines are moderate to severe headaches that cause various additional symptoms, including:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Light and noise sensitivity
• Weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Aura (visual disturbances)

Migraines can last from four hours to three days and occasionally longer (migrainosus). Other conditions, like cluster and ice pick headaches, can also be severe but don’t cause these additional symptoms.

Sinus headaches

Sinus headaches usually develop after a cold or the flu when the hollow spaces (sinuses) behind your face swell and become inflamed. This causes a distinctive, throbbing pain in your forehead and face.

Trigeminal and occipital neuralgia

These conditions affect the major nerves in your head, causing severe shooting pain.  

How are headaches treated?

Most headaches improve with rest and over-the-counter medication. However, problems like tension headaches will keep recurring unless you tackle the cause. You might need prescription medication for a sinus infection. Or if your headache is due to dehydration, you might simply need to drink more water.

Dr. Elyaderani assesses your symptoms, completes a physical exam, and may order various tests and diagnostic procedures to determine your headache’s cause so he can treat it appropriately. Treatment options for severe headaches and migraines include:

• Triptan medication
• Calcium channel blockers
• Beta-blockers
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Antiepileptic drugs
• Dihydroergotamine 
• Selective serotonin receptor agonists
• Anti-nausea drugs
• Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists
• CGRP monoclonal antibodies
• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®) injections

Headaches caused by tumors might require surgery.

Call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani, MD, for expert headache and migraine treatment, or book an appointment online today.