Managing Chronic Headaches

It is normal to experience headaches occasionally, but if the headache lasts for many days, you might be suffering from chronic headaches. Unlike any headache type, chronic headaches usually consist of several headache subtypes. Fortunately, you can easily solve this problem through aggressive medical treatment and continuous long-term pain management. This article will discuss the possible Phoenix Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute treatments for chronic headaches.

Symptoms of Chronic Headaches

A chronic headache occurs for 15 consecutive days or more than a month. There are chronic headaches, i.e., short-lasting and long-lasting chronic headaches, which usually last for up to 4 hours or more. The most common form of chronic headache is chronic migraine. Some of the main symptoms of chronic migraines include:

•         Mild to severe pain
•         Pain on one or both sides of your head
•         Throbbing or pulsating sensation
•         Sensitivity to sound and light
•         Nausea and vomiting

Preventing Chronic Headaches

The following are some quick tips on how to prevent the future occurrence of chronic headaches:

·         Avoid Triggers

Having a headache diary will help you determine the immediate cause of your headaches. Ensure all the key details about every headache you experience, including when it started and how long it lasted.

·         Get Sufficient Sleep

An average adult should have 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Therefore, try going to bed and waking up and the same time daily.

·         Avoid Overusing Medication

Avoid taking over-the-counter headache medication more than two times a week. This usually increases the frequency and severity of your headaches.

·         Exercise Regularly

Regular aerobic physical activity such as cycling, walking, and swimming can boost your mental and physical health. It also helps reduce stress.

·         Reduce Caffeine Intake

Although caffeine can be beneficial in treating daily headache pain, it can lead to increased headaches when overconsumed.

·         Manage Stress

Try practicing traditional stress-reduction techniques like tai chi, mediation, or yoga to avoid chronic daily headaches.

Chronic Headache Treatments

Dr. Gupta of the Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute often takes an integrated approach to treating and preventing future occurrences of chronic headaches. In addition to using a combination of holistic and Western medicine, he can customize the following treatments to your chronic headaches:

•         Prescription medication: Various prescription medications are available to prevent and treat migraine headaches.
•         Occipital nerve blocks: Occipital nerve blocks offer pain-altering medications to the occipital nerves at the base of your neck.
•         Stress management techniques: Breathing exercises, among other stress techniques, can help lower the frequency of your chronic headaches.
•         Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points of your body to help relieve stress and tension.
•         Lifestyle changes: Improved nutrition and the incorporation of regular exercises effectively prevent migraines.

Conclusion

Are you suffering from chronic migraines? Contact Dr. Ruchir Gupta, MD, at the Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Gupta is a well-experienced pain management expert who can help manage your chronic migraines through integrative treatment measures. For a reliable telehealth platform and effective in-person diagnostic evaluation, feel free to schedule a consultation online or call the Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute today.