Overview:
Migraine Headache Treatment in Austin | Advanced Pain Care
According to the World Health Organization, about 4% of the world’s adult population experience headaches for about 15 days or more in a month.
A headache is defined as a sensation of pain arising in different parts of the head or the upper neck and is caused by the irritation/inflammation of the tissues in parts of the body, such as the neck, back of the head, forehead, temple, and behind the ear. Typically, these episodes of pain can last anywhere between 30 minutes to a week.
These episodes of pain sensations can be caused by a multitude of factors, including stress, depression, anxiety, muscle strain, lack of sleep, eye infections, nerve irritation, and weather changes.
Headaches, depending on the cause, can range in severity from being a mild sensation of discomfort to acute pain that feels “piercing”, “throbbing,” or “stabbing”. For mild headache pain, relaxation techniques, some caffeine, adequate rest, and/or basic over-the-counter medicines may be used to reduce or eliminate discomfort.
In some cases, pain symptoms from headaches can escalate into an acute or chronic condition, such as nerve pain or migraine headaches. There could be an underlying disease, infection, or trauma causing this reaction and subsequent pain.
Living with migraine can be exhausting. Advanced Pain Care offers proven pain treatments and prevention of future episodes. Our migraine specialists in Austin and other areas provide care based on your condition. Whether you need medication, injections, or lifestyle guidance, we’re here to help.
- Personalized migraine treatment.
- Comprehensive testing for accurate diagnosis.
- Effective pain treatment for lasting relief.
- Minimally invasive options are available.
What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of The Different Types Of Headaches?
Headache symptoms range from mild to severe and can be short-term or long-lasting.
- Acute headaches last a few hours to days. A headache doctor can suggest quick care for pain relief and find the cause.
- Chronic headaches last months or years and may need long-term pain treatment.
Headaches are classified as Primary or Secondary based on their cause.
Primary Headaches
These happen when nerves, muscles, and blood vessels in the head and neck get irritated or inflamed. They are painful but not life-threatening.
Migraine Headaches
- One of the most common headaches, usually affecting people aged 18-44.
- Can be occasional or chronic if left untreated or from overusing medication.
- A migraine headache can last between 4 and 72 hours.
Common Causes:
- Weather changes
- Brain chemical imbalances
- Genetic factors
- Alcohol use
- Sleep changes
- Bright lights, strong smells, loud sounds
- Salty or processed foods, skipping meals
- Intense physical activity
- Certain medications (e.g., contraceptives)
- Hormonal shifts in women (menopause, menstrual cycles)
Migraine Stages:
- Prodrome: Early warning signs like mood swings, neck stiffness, thirst, cravings, frequent urination, and constipation.
- Aura: Some people experience vision changes, numbness, weakness, temporary vision loss, or involuntary movements.
- Attack: Throbbing pain on one or both sides, sensitivity to light, sound, or smell, nausea, and vomiting.
- Post-drome: Fatigue, confusion, and occasional pain flares after the migraine ends.
Tension Headaches
- The most common primary headache is more frequent in women.
- Affects 75% of people, but only 3% have chronic cases.
Symptoms:
- Dull, constant pain that spreads
- Tightness or pressure in the head or neck
- Sensitivity to light and noise
Triggers:
- Poor sleep
- Stress
- Skipping meals
- Fatigue
- Dehydration
Cluster Headaches
- Rare but extremely painful, occurring in “clusters” that last weeks to months.
- Also called Horton’s syndrome.
- No clear cause, but heart medication (nitroglycerin) may play a role.
Symptoms:
- Red, watery eyes and severe pain
- One-sided pain
- Drooping eyelid
- Facial sweating
- Pain at the same time every day
Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches are caused by underlying health conditions. These can include:
Possible Causes:
- Head or neck injuries
- Mini-stroke (TIA)
- Brain aneurysm
- Brain tumors
- Infections (meningitis, encephalitis, sinus infections)
- Glaucoma
- Concussions
- Medication overuse
- Substance-related headaches
While rare, some secondary headaches can be life-threatening.
Nerve Pain Headaches (Neuralgia)
These don’t fit into primary or secondary categories and happen due to nerve inflammation.
Types:
- Occipital neuralgia – Sharp, stabbing pain in the back of the head.
- Trigeminal neuralgia – Facial nerve pain that feels like an electric shock.
Symptoms:
- Sensitivity to touch in affected areas
- Sudden, sharp pain
- Light sensitivity
- Frequent, intense pain episodes
- Pain spreading from the neck or face
What Are The Risk Factors Associated With Different Types Of Migraines?
There are several risk factors that can increase the incidence of headaches. Some associated risk factors include:
- Sensory stimulants such as bright light and loud noises (in case of migraines)
- Food consumption/Eating patterns
- Smoking (can cause cluster headaches)
- Genetic predispositions
- Sleep apnea
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Nasal infections and problems (in case of sinus headaches)
- Specific food triggers
- Specific medications
- Medication overuse
- Hormonal changes
- Substance abuse
- Age and gender
- Alcohol
Factors that cause headaches differ in primary, secondary, and nerve pain headaches.
What Are The Complications Associated With Migraine
In primary headaches (such as migraine headaches), complications can arise when symptoms are ignored and timely treatment or medical intervention is not provided, which could potentially lead to a “chronic” condition.
Secondary headaches can be associated with several specific complications, including:
- Possible stroke due to inflammation in the blood vessels
- Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
- High or low intracranial pressure
- Brain trauma or injury
- Brain tumors
When Should I See a Migraine Doctor?
Often, headaches start suddenly but may also go away just as fast. In many cases, simple over-the-counter medication, rest, and home remedies can help relieve discomfort and ease symptoms.
However, some signs may indicate a more serious issue requiring immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following along with a migraine headache, contact Advanced Pain Care for a same-day or next-day appointment at one of our Central Texas locations (Austin, Waco, Amarillo, Killeen, Kyle):
- Sudden confusion or change in behavior (could indicate a stroke, meningitis, or encephalitis)
- Stiff neck (may signal an aneurysm or meningitis)
- Pain lasting over 72 hours with less than 4 hours of relief
- Nausea and/or vomiting, often linked to migraine headaches
- Changes in speech patterns
- Worsening pain after coughing, exertion, or sudden movement
- A severe headache that feels like a thunderclap
- A different pattern in your usual headache episodes
- Headache developing suddenly after age 50
- Head trauma
- Unbearable pain that does not improve with pain treatment
- Vision changes
- Seizures
If your symptoms persist, seeking migraine treatment from a specialist can help determine the cause and find the best solution. Consult our specialists today to get immediate relief and timely care for your pain.
How Are Headaches Diagnosed?
To diagnose your headache, specialists at Advanced Pain Care will check your symptoms, history, and pain patterns.
- How often the headaches happen
- Your medical history
- Symptoms like nausea, confusion, or slurred speech
- Pain type and severity
- How long the headaches last
Next, the doctor will check your head and neck for issues. If anything unusual is found, further tests like a neurological exam may be needed.
Common tests for diagnosing headaches include:
- Blood Tests – Check for inflammation, infection, or headaches caused by substance use.
- CT Scan – Detects swelling, bleeding, stroke, or aneurysm.
- MRI – Helps diagnose a migraine headache or chronic pain.
- Lumbar Puncture – Examines spinal fluid for infections like meningitis.
If needed, tests like a neurological exam, eye exam, or EEG may be done.
How Are Migraines and Headaches Treated?
Doctors usually treat migraines and other primary headaches with medicine and lifestyle changes. Common treatments include:
- Over-the-counter and prescription medicines – Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen help reduce pain.
- Anti-nausea medicines – Drugs like promethazine help if the headache causes nausea.
- CGRP antagonists – These block proteins that trigger migraine headaches.
- Calcium channel blockers – Help prevent migraines from happening too often.
- Antidepressants – Help balance brain chemicals linked to migraines.
- Pain relievers – Stronger medicines may be needed for severe headaches.
Doctors may also focus on prevention. A low-salt diet and avoiding processed foods can help prevent migraine headaches. Reducing alcohol and caffeine can lower the risk of substance-use headaches.
For more serious cases, stronger treatments may be needed:
- Oxygen therapy – Inhaling high-concentration oxygen helps with cluster headaches.
- Triptan injections – These reduce swelling and narrow blood vessels.
- Lidocaine nasal application – A numbing agent that eases severe headaches.
For nerve-related headaches, pain treatment may include pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Some cases may require electrical stimulation.
In some situations, surgery may be the best option. Advanced Pain Care has some of the best migraine specialists in Austin who can help you find relief. Know more.
When is Surgery Required for Headaches?
If the pain relief from headaches using non-surgical interventions is short-lived, physicians may recommend surgery. In the case of cluster headaches and some chronic migraine headaches, surgery is usually the preferred method of long-term treatment. At times, surgery is also recommended to treat chronic migraine cases or for relieving the pressure on the nerves in the case of occipital neuralgia or trigeminal neuralgia.
The most common types of surgery for treating headaches include:
- Nerve stimulation devices
- Nerve decompression
- Nerve blocks
- Neurectomy
- Endoscopic surgery in case of sinus headaches
At Advanced Pain Care, patients are monitored in a multi-disciplinary effort (Neurologists, Neurosurgeons, Rheumatologists and/or Pain Management Specialists).
Most surgeries for headaches are minimally-invasive, and side effects (although rare) include swelling, bruising, and numbness in the affected area.
Bleeding or infections are extremely rare and are minimized by the constant supervision of the multidisciplinary team at Advanced Pain Care. Depending on the specific procedure, the recovery may also be quick.
Patients are also given a specific list of steps to follow (based on the procedure they received) to ensure a quick and successful recovery. A migraine doctor can help determine if surgery is the right option for you.
How Can Migraine Be Prevented?
Many primary headaches like migraine can be prevented with simple changes in lifestyle. These changes include:
Migraines are caused when specific pain-sensitive areas in the head and the neck are stimulated due to a variety of reasons. If you have been experiencing headaches and have not found relief, visit http://austinpaindoctor.com/ or call 512-244-4272 to set up a same or next-day appointment with a Neurosurgeon, Rheumatologist, and/or Pain Care Management doctor.
FAQs
Q: What are the symptoms of a migraine?
A: A migraine headache often includes throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people experience visual disturbances or tingling sensations before the pain starts.
Q: Are migraines dangerous?
A: Migraines are not usually life-threatening but can severely impact daily life. If your headaches are sudden, intense, or different from usual, consult a headache doctor to rule out serious conditions.
Q: Can stress cause migraines?
A: Yes, stress is a common trigger for migraine headaches. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and a balanced routine can help reduce episodes. If the headaches persist, a migraine specialist can recommend effective treatment.
Q: When should I see a doctor for my headaches?
A: See a migraine doctor if headaches are frequent, severe, or disrupt your daily life. Also, seek immediate care if you experience confusion, vision loss, or weakness alongside your headache.
Q: Migraine vs Headache: What’s the Difference?
A: Both these conditions differ in intensity and symptoms. Migraines cause severe, throbbing pain, often with nausea and sensory sensitivity. Regular headaches are milder and don’t usually include these symptoms. A specialist can help you determine the right migraine treatment for you.
