Your provider will assess these factors by a manual (hands-on) examination. Securely access your personal health information at any time, day or night. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care. You don’t always have to book in-person appointments.
Screen Time Restriction
If an allergic reaction causes your sinus flare-ups, you might need a preventive allergy treatment. Silent migraine symptoms come on within minutes and may last up to an hour. In silent migraine, you may see bright lights, wavy or jagged lines, flashing dots or sparkles. These lights, spots and sparkles seem to start in the center of your line of sight and spread to both sides. Silent migraines may also cause blind spots (scotomas).
Do I need to see a specialist for period headaches?
- If you have a sinus headache, hold a warm cloth to the area that hurts.
- Many people find that a nap helps them get rid of a headache.
- Doctors must determine whether you have a primary or secondary headache to recommend effective treatment.
- Your shoulders and the base of your neck are also good spots.
One small study found it worked better than a placebo on migraine pain. A type of massage called acupressure is another technique that may help you get rid of a headache. Try gently squeezing or rubbing the back of your hand in the "V" where your thumb and forefinger come together. Besides water, try a sports drink to restore electrolytes or an oral rehydration powder mixed with water. It's especially important if headache pain has made you throw up. If your ponytail is too tight, it could cause a headache.
An aura is a phase of the migraine before head pain begins. Cleveland Clinic’s headache and migraine experts are here to help. The key to preventing headaches is figuring out what triggers them. Triggers are very specific to each person — what gives you a headache may not be a problem for others.
Headache attack symptoms
Headache prevention could reduce headache frequency or intensity or prevent headaches altogether. Read on to learn more about common treatments for each type of headache. Because there are many types of headaches, many methods might be used to diagnose which type you are experiencing. Doctors must determine whether you have a primary or secondary headache to recommend effective treatment. These headaches may also occur due to a secondary cause. If this type of headache is new to you or lasts longer, it may be best to seek medical attention for a diagnosis.
Physical approaches include applying a heating pad to your neck and shoulders to headache relief how to stop a headache: tension, sinus migraine relax the muscles. Exercising these muscles also helps by strengthening and stretching them. Tension headaches are the most common headache, affecting about three of every four adults at some point in their lives. These headaches may occur at any age but are most common in adults and older teens.
How common is a cervicogenic headache?
- They are two to three times more common in women than men, but that's small consolation if you are among the minority of men who have migraines.
- Some are more common than others, but they all make your head hurt.
- The most effective medication for preventing cluster headache attacks is verapamil, a calcium-channel blocker.
- Some can be managed through simple routine changes, while others could be fatal without immediate medical assistance.
- They may do computed tomography (CT) scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging (brain MRI) scans to check for underlying issues.
While most headaches aren’t dangerous, certain types can be a sign of a serious underlying condition. Headaches strike in different ways and range from slightly uncomfortable to debilitatingly painful. For most of us, an occasional headache is nothing more than a temporary speed bump in the course of a busy day. Even so, most people can ease the problem with simple lifestyle measures and nonprescription medications. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga, and acupuncture may also help. Learn to recognize warning signs that call for prompt medical care.
Let a healthcare provider know if you get headaches when stressed or anxious. They may have recommendations to help you manage stress or anxiety to minimize how often headaches affect you. Drugs for high blood pressure, seizures and depression can sometimes prevent migraines. Your healthcare provider may recommend trying one of these medications to reduce headache frequency. Fluctuations in blood glucose levels can trigger headaches.
A healthcare provider can help you manage symptoms so migraines don’t take over your life. Chronic stress, poor time management, and the pressures of daily life have a significant impact on tension migraines. When you have a headache, you might immediately think there’s something wrong with your head. In fact, head pain can start in other parts of your body.
Certain foods may be linked to headaches for some individuals. Other than alcohol and caffeine, common foods and drinks connected to headaches have included chocolate, milk, and cheese. While consuming caffeine can relieve headache symptoms, it can also cause them.
They may also run some tests to rule out other possible causes of your headache before coming up with a treatment plan. In some cases of chronic sinusitis, if medication doesn't help, your doctor might recommend surgery. Sinus surgery can be used to treat structural problems, take out polyps, or remove built-up fungal masses (a cause of some sinus infections). A sinus headache often lasts longer, typically a week to 10 days, and sometimes more.
They may do computed tomography (CT) scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging (brain MRI) scans to check for underlying issues.