What are the treatment options for different types of headaches
Chronic headaches can often disrupt your daily life and lead to emotional as well as physical stress. If you are tackling with such situations, then you must explore the causes of constant headaches. The best way to start is by consulting a doctor who can guide you properly about the problem. Some of the most common causes of headaches are migraines, tension headaches, new daily persistent headaches and hemicrania continua.
How to deal with different causes of headaches?
The following are some remedial options for treating the above-mentioned causes of constant headaches. These comprise prescription drugs, natural therapies and lifestyle changes.
- Tension headaches If you are diagnosed with tension headaches then you might be recommended with OTC medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Prescription drugs like antidepressants are also a possible alternative. Besides oral pills, you are advised to manage stress with relaxation techniques, meditation, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), warm compression, hot showers, massage and neck exercises.
- Migraines Treatment for a migraine intends to alleviate symptoms as well as thwart attacks in the future. If any elements trigger your headaches, then ensure that you avoid them or train yourself to manage them. Doctors will advise you with a combination of over-the-counter preventive and prescription medications. Other than that resting in a quiet room, using warm or cold compression, occasional massages and intake of appropriate amounts of caffeine can help gain relief. For patients suffering from a migraine with an aura, transcranial magnetic therapy might be used, where electrical currents stimulate the brain’s nerve cells.
- Hemicrania continua A rare cause of constant headaches, hemicranias continua requires a daily dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The doses of this medication is based on the extent of our symptoms. The consumption of such drugs can irritate the stomach and intestines, which is why you may have to take additional pills to prevent it. Tricyclic antidepressants can also help in improving the condition of hemicrania continua.
- New daily persistent headaches The treatment may involve the use of anti-seizure, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, SRI antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, migraine drugs (triptans), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, it may take some time for the doctor to figure out the most effective form of medications and dosage. So you may have to alter medications based on your response to the treatment.
Dealing with chronic headaches is not exactly simple, but with right medical assistance and self-management measures, it can be controlled very well.