Headache Specialist

Louisiana Pain Specialists

Pain Management & Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation located in New Orleans, Kenner, Baton Rouge, Marrero, Laplace, & Metairie, LA

A headache can arise from easily resolvable causes like dehydration or less apparent origins, like migraines and cluster headaches. If you have severe or regular headaches, the experts at Louisiana Pain Specialists can help. With offices in Kenner, Metairie, Laplace, Baton Rouge, Marrero, and New Orleans, Louisiana, they offer expert diagnosis and treatment for headaches. Find the key to relieving headache pain by calling your nearest Louisiana Pain Specialists office or book an appointment online today.

Headache Q & A

What is a headache?

A headache is discomfort or pain in your head that may affect the whole skull or be worse in specific parts, like your forehead. There are numerous different types of headaches, with some of the more common ones being:

Tension headache

A tension headache is the most widespread of all, and it's not uncommon to get one daily; it typically sets in during the late afternoon, causing mild to moderate pain that often goes away by the evening. Bright lights and loud noises can make a tension headache worse.

Migraine headache

A migraine headache causes moderate to severe pain that can last as long as three days. Generally, migraine pain stays on one side of your head, but it may move over. The pain can also occur in your temples, the back of your head, or behind your eyes.

A migraine with aura is when you see small spots, zigzag lines, or other visual disturbances. Migraines often cause nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, and weakness in addition and are frequently disabling.

Cluster headache

Cluster headaches consist of a series of relatively short, sudden, and excruciating headaches that typically occur every day for several weeks or sometimes months. These headaches usually arise in clusters on one side of your head or around one eye.

What causes a headache?

A variety of factors can lead to headaches developing. Some of these include:

Stress or tension
Fatigue
Menstruation
Certain foods
A sudden decrease in caffeine intake
Chronic health problems
Acute illnesses
Head injury
Dehydration

Some types of headaches, like migraines, often have triggers. These could be specific foods or drinks such as red wine, chocolate, aged cheeses, or combinations of these or other headache risk factors.

What should I do if I have headaches?

It's a good idea to make notes every time you have a headache, writing down:

When your headache started
The location of your pain
What you were doing when the headache started
Any other symptoms
What you ate or drank 24 hours beforehand
What you do to manage your headache
What helped with the pain
When your headache stopped

This information can benefit your doctor at Louisiana Pain Specialists and help you identify potential headache triggers.

What treatment do I need for my headache?

Headaches typically get better if you tackle the root cause, such as stress or dehydration. A proper diet, regular exercise, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also make a significant difference.

Your provider at Louisiana Pain Specialists can prescribe the appropriate medication for migraines and other headaches to reduce their severity and help prevent their occurrence.

For expert treatment of all types of headaches, call Louisiana Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.