Headache Specialist

What causes a headache?

Headaches have many triggers, from stress to disease to nerve dysfunction. There are two categories of headaches:

Primary headache

A primary headache isn't connected to any other condition. It's due to problems with the blood vessels, nerves, and muscles in your neck and skull, or the activity of chemicals in your brain.

Examples of primary headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches. Some people's genetic makeup makes them more likely to develop primary headaches.

Secondary headache

A secondary headache develops as a symptom of another condition. Disorders where a headache is a common symptom include:

• Sinusitis
• Concussion
• COVID-19
• Dehydration
• Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
• Fevers
• Influenza (flu)
• Intracranial hematoma
• Meningitis
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Brain tumor

Most often, a headache isn't a sign of a serious health issue, but occasionally, it can be a symptom of potentially life-threatening problems like meningitis or a brain tumor.

If you have a headache that's unusual, severe, or affecting your ability to think clearly, you should get medical attention as soon as possible.

What treatments are there for headaches?

Everyday headaches from stress and tension either go away on their own, or you can use over-the-counter medications to relieve your discomfort. If you're regularly getting tension headaches, you should look at ways of reducing your stress levels.

Secondary headaches like those accompanying fevers and concussion usually disappear when you recover from the condition that's causing them. Dehydration headaches, for instance, ease off once your fluid and electrolyte levels are back to normal.

Primary headaches like migraines can be particularly disabling and often require specialist treatment. An extensive range of medications is available that can reduce the frequency of your migraines and their severity. If you're having migraines regularly, Botox® injections can help.

Would I need surgery for my headache?

Unless your headache is due to a brain tumor (a relatively rare condition), it's unlikely that you'd need surgery for most types of headaches. However, if you have a sinus headache that's a constant problem and no other treatments are effective, surgery could help.

One procedure the Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. team performs for sinus headache is balloon sinuplasty. This involves having a special balloon inflated inside your sinuses. The balloon flattens the swollen tissues to relieve the pressure in your head.

If this isn't sufficient to ease your headache, you might need to undergo minimally invasive functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to remove the swollen tissue.

If headaches are affecting your quality of life, call Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates, P.C. today to discuss your condition or book an appointment online.