Got a Headache?
Treat head pain with a healthy lifestyle and help from your primary care physician.
Written by Melissa Bean Sterzick
Headaches are a frequent health concern for many individuals, but most head pain is easily treated. Minor lifestyle changes, self-care and over-the-counter medications are usually the easiest and best remedies. If those don't help, see your primary care doctor. Torrance Memorial Physician Network primary care physicians Betty Lo, MD, and Jennifer Park, MD, share tips for managing - and preventing - various types of headaches.
What are the most common types of headaches?
Dr. Lo: Tension headaches account for 40% of all headaches and can be triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, dehydration, and hunger. Some people experience migraines, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, hormonal headaches and cervicogenic headaches, which are caused by pain that develops in the neck and is felt in the head. Due to the broad differential of headaches, a detailed history would help your provider make the correct diagnosis.
What headache remedies are most helpful?
Dr. Park: Applying heat or ice to relieve tense neck or shoulder muscles, stretching, massage and stress management techniques can help alleviate tension headaches. Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also provide relief. It is important to address the specific triggers that may be contributing to your headache.
What lifestyle changes can help with headaches?
Dr. Lo: Drink plenty of water, maintain a healthy diet and regular sleep patterns (limit sleep deprivation), and exercise regularly. You should limit known food triggers and find ways to reduce stress. Make sure you have the correct prescription for your glasses or readers. It is important to maintain good posture and limit prolonged screen time. It can also help to take magnesium and vitamin B complex supplements.
What should a patient tell their doctor about headaches?
Dr. Park: Tell your doctor about onset, how frequently you experience the pain and where you feel the pain. In addition, it is helpful to know if the pain is associated with any other symptoms like nausea, vomiting or visual disturbances. Describe the severity of pain level. Sometimes keeping a headache journal can help patients determine what triggers their headaches so they can share that information with their physician.
When is it time to see your doctor about headaches?
Dr. Park: Migraines can be more severe and can be associated with nausea vomiting and light sensitivity. You should see a doctor for migraine treatment. Also, when headache symptoms are changing in pattern or severity and increasing in frequency, or over-the-counter medications are not working, it is time to see your doctor.
When is it time to see a specialist?
Dr. Lo: It's time to see a specialist when frequent headaches are unresponsive to typical therapy and there is a need for more intensive management that can only be provided by a multidisciplinary headache program. Additionally, when there is a secondary headache requiring a specialist, we can make referrals.
When is a headache an emergency?
Dr. Park: A headache is an emergency if it comes on suddenly and is severe. If it is accompanied by high fever, confusion, slurred speech, prolonged vomiting, or numbness or weakness particularly on one side of the body, immediately seek emergency care.
Betty Lo, MD, and Jennifer Park, MD, are primary care physicians at Torrance Memorial Physician Network in Torrance at 3701 Skypark Drive, Suite 100. They can be reached at 310-378-2234.
