If you wonder if headaches are considered chronic pain and how to treat them, read on in this guide from MVM Health.
What Is A Headache?
Headaches are defined as pain in any area of the head. Headaches can cause a variety of discomforts, ranging from a sharp, shooting pain to a dull, constant ache. They may affect one or both sides of the head, be confined to a specific area, or radiate across the head from one point. In some cases, headaches can develop suddenly, while in others they may come on gradually. The duration of a headache can range from a few minutes to multiple days.
What Causes A Headache?
Primary headaches are caused by overactivity or issues with the pain-sensitive structures of the head. They can be linked to several factors, such as chemical activity in the brain, genetics, nerves and blood vessels around the skull, and the muscles of the head and neck.
Tension and migraine headaches are two common types of primary headaches, as they are not a sign of an underlying illness. Certain lifestyle factors can also contribute to the development of primary headaches, such as drinking alcohol, having an unhealthy diet, inadequate sleeping patterns, bad posture, skipping meals, and experiencing stress.
Secondary headaches occur as the result of other conditions or diseases. Cervicogenic and post-whiplash headaches are common types of secondary headaches. There are many different conditions that can cause secondary headaches, ranging from mild to severe. These include viral and bacterial infections, hangovers, dental problems, brain tumors, high blood pressure, and strokes.
What Are Different Types Of Headaches?
- Tension Headaches: The most common type of headache, characterized by mild to moderate pain. People who get tension headaches describe the feeling as like a tight band around the head. The cause of tension headaches is not yet completely understood.
- Cervicogenic Headaches: This type of headache is caused by another illness or physical issue concerning the neck.
- Migraine Headaches: A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache that may be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, or extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can last from hours to days.
- Post-Whiplash Headaches: These headaches are related to damaged joints or discs in your neck from a sudden and hard movement resulting from a car accident or sports injury. Post-whiplash headaches may result from inflammation of ligaments and soft tissues.
Are Headaches Considered Chronic Pain?
Headaches are cited as one of the leading sources of chronic pain, along with arthritis pain and back pain. Patients who have a headache for 15 or more days per month have a condition called chronic daily headache. Migraines especially are considered a form of chronic pain because of the severity and the duration involved, as well as the cause being unknown.
What Are My Treatment Options At MVM Health?
- Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block Injection Technique: This numbing medicine injection is applied to the deep area in your face around a bundle of nerves called the sphenopalatine ganglion. This injection can be used to diagnose or treat problems linked to these nerves.
- Botox Injections for Chronic Migraine: Chronic migraine may be treated with Botox injections in your head and neck. The injections can help stop migraines before they start.
- Epidural Blood Patch
- Trigeminal Nerve Block
- Trigeminal Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation
If you are living with frequent headaches, find that the pain is affecting your enjoyment of day-to-day life, and wonder if you are a good candidate for any of our treatments, it may be time to seek pain management. For patients in Pennsylvania, MVM Health is glad to offer services in East Stroudsburg, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and Lehigh Valley. The experts at MVM Health would be glad to offer guidance and a variety of treatment methods for chronic pain, including minimally-invasive alternatives to surgery. Call 223-213-2084 to request an appointment.
