Headaches are unpredictable, and when they strike they can derail your entire day. Many people living with chronic headaches report disruptions in their ability to work, go to school, attend social functions, and go about their normal daily lives.
While it can feel like there’s no way to control chronic headaches, there are treatment options that can help reduce the pain so that you can get back to living your life. At aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics, board-certified pain management specialist Dr. Brian K. Rich, and the rest of the team are dedicated to help patients restore a life with less pain.
In addition to treatments aimed at reducing headache pain, avoiding triggers can help your treatment work better, and help you get the most out of your headache management plan.
The first step in avoiding headache triggers is understanding what they are. Various everyday things and lifestyle factors can bring on headaches. The most common triggers include physical and emotional stress, which can lead to muscle tension and ultimately migraines or tension headaches.
Certain foods and beverages, such as processed foods, red wine, often contain nitrites, nitrates, and monosodium glutamate, which is known to trigger headaches in some people. Environmental aspects, like seasonal changes, bright light, smoke, intense scents, and cold weather are known contributors too.
Women are particularly susceptible to migraines due to fluctuations in estrogen levels related to menstrual cycles, menopause, and estrogen therapy. Additionally, caffeine withdrawal can cause migraines, as changes in caffeine intake can affect blood vessel dilation. Even lifestyle factors, such as lack of sleep can trigger headaches.
If you’re getting headaches that are disrupting your life, here are some ways to limit common triggers:
Being active and getting regulat exercise is vital for overall health and well-being. It boosts your mood, improves your sleep, and reduces stress, all of which can contribute to fewer headaches.
Skipping meals or sleep can significantly contribute to the onset of a headache. A consistent eating and sleeping schedule can keep headaches at bay. Eating balanced meals throughout the day can help maintain your blood sugar levels, reducing the likelihood of a headache.
Dehydration is known to trigger headaches, and it’s easy to become dehydrated. Even a slight drop on body water content can cause problems. Be mindful of your fluid intake and ensure that you’re well hydrated everyday.
Both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you, leading to headaches. They are known headache triggers, especially red wine and beer.
High-stress levels are one of the most common causes of headaches. Techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can significantly reduce stress levels.
Dr. Rich offers innovative approaches like peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) to manage chronic headaches and help you get relief. PNS is often effective at managing headache syndromes, such as occipital neuralgia, which occurs when the nerves that run through the scalp become inflamed.
The technique involves the use of an implanted medical device that generates electric pulses to stimulate specific nerves. This helps to alter pain signals before they reach the brain, providing relief from chronic headache conditions.
In occipital neuralgia, PNS specifically targets the occipital nerves located at the base of the skull. A small generator, similar to a pacemaker, is implanted under the skin, typically in the lower back or buttocks.
This device is connected to thin leads that are placed under the skin near the occipital nerves. The electrical impulses produced by the generator disrupt the transmission of pain signals from these nerves, thus reducing the sensation of pain.
Routine check-ups ensures that your treatment is working as it should and that you are getting adequate relief from chronic headaches. It’s always beneficial to work with a provider who is knowledgeable about your specific headache type and can provide personalized treatment plans.
Chronic headaches can be incredibly disruptive, but there is hope. For a thorough evaluation and to discuss treatment options, call the office nearest you to set up a visit. We have offices in Lawton, Oklahoma, and Decatur, Texas, to serve your needs. Take your power back and get chronic headaches under control.
