Migraines & Headaches

There are 2 types of headaches: primary and secondary headaches. With primary headaches, the headache itself is the main condition and is not caused by another underlying medical issue. Secondary headaches usually occur because of another medical condition.

Headache disorders cause repeated pain or pressure in the head, scalp or neck. Unlike an occasional headache, recurring symptoms can interfere with work, sleep, concentration and daily routines. Conditions such as migraine and trigeminal neuralgia may require specialized evaluation because symptoms can overlap or change over time.

You may need specialty headache care if your symptoms are frequent, severe, changing or no longer responding to usual treatment. Early evaluation matters because some headache patterns are manageable with targeted therapy, while others may signal a more serious issue that needs prompt attention. If headaches are not treated appropriately, it can at times lead to medication overuse headache because of frequent use of over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Common reasons to seek care include:

• Headaches that happen several times a week or month and begin to disrupt work, school or home life
• Pain with nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity or sound sensitivity, which can suggest migraine rather than a simple tension headache
• Sudden or worsening headaches, new neurological symptoms, or facial pain that may need further workup

Diagnosis starts with a careful conversation about your symptoms, when they happen, how long they last and what seems to trigger them. Your specialist will also review medications, prior treatments and any family or medical history that may be relevant.

Testing may include a physical and neurological exam, blood work or imaging studies to rule out other causes.

Treatment depends on the type of headache, how often it occurs and how much it affects your daily life. The goal will be to stop pain during an attack, reduce how often attacks happen or address an underlying trigger.

Options may include:

• Lifestyle and trigger management, such as improving sleep, hydration and stress control when these factors worsen symptoms
• Medications for acute relief or prevention, chosen based on headache frequency, severity and your health history
• Management of chronic migraines including preventive medications which can be oral medications, Botox, injectable medications and infusion therapies

Untreated or poorly controlled headache disorders can affect much more than comfort. They may lead to missed work, reduced concentration, sleep problems, mood changes and overuse of pain medication, which can sometimes make headaches harder to manage.

Risk also depends on the cause. A recurring migraine can become more disabling over time, while a sudden severe headache or one paired with weakness, fever or vision changes may point to a medical emergency that needs immediate evaluation.

Recovery is different for every patient because headache disorders vary in cause, severity and frequency. Some people improve quickly after starting the appropriate medication or infusion-based therapy, while others need ongoing follow-up to fine-tune a prevention plan.

Long-term improvement often depends on tracking symptoms, avoiding triggers and staying consistent with treatment. When a procedure such as Botox or nerve blocks is part of care, your specialist will explain what to expect, when relief may begin and when repeat treatment might help.