Chicago Headache Treatment

Treating Migraines & Recurring Headaches

It’s easy to pass off headaches as a minor thing—and they often are. But for many sufferers, headache relief is temporary at best and elusive at worst. When headaches become a constant struggle, returning again and again no matter what you do, this might be a sign that your headaches are a chronic condition that must be addressed. Headache relief is possible with Pinnacle Pain Management.

Led by Dr. Neeraj Jain, M.D., our team offers an array of cutting-edge therapies to help treat the underlying causes of headaches, allowing for lasting relief. We work directly with our patients to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.

Learn more about our headache treatments in Chicago and the surrounding areas; call (630) 793-0104 or contact us online.

The Four Different Types of Headaches

There are four different types of headaches: 

• Muscle Contraction (or Tension) Headache: The cause of this type of headache is precisely how it sounds. The pain is caused by tension from the tightening of the muscles in the head, face, or neck, leading to the onset of pain.
• Inflammatory Headache: These are headaches caused by inflammation of some kind, frequently resulting from conditions or diseases of the sinuses, spine, neck, ears, or teeth. Inflammatory headaches can also be related to meningitis.
• Vascular Headache: Migraines are the most well-known type of vascular headache. They are thought to be an effect of atypical blood vessel functioning within the brain. Migraines cause severe pain on one or both sides of the head, as well as nausea and, at times, can affect vision.
• Traction Headache: This type of headache is the result of an organic disease that involves the head’s structures. These headaches are less common than muscle contraction or vascular headaches, but they may be a sign of a more severe condition, like a chronic sinus infection or even a stroke.

Headache Symptoms & Treatments

Symptoms and treatments vary for different types of headaches. Additionally, each individual may experience a headache in a unique way and will likely require individualized treatment to properly address the cause and symptoms. 

Some of the most common symptoms of and treatments for tension headaches include: 

• Symptoms: Tension headaches typically cause aching or pressure on both sides of the head, often accompanied by neck and shoulder muscle tightness. Sensitivity to light or noise can also occur with tension headaches. 
• Treatment: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, can help alleviate symptoms. Relaxation techniques, stress management, regular exercise, and maintaining good posture may also be beneficial in treating tension headaches. 

Migraine symptoms and treatments often include: 

• Symptoms: Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances known as aura, which can include flashing lights or blind spots.
• Treatment: Migraine treatment involves two approaches: preventive and acute treatment. Preventive measures may include lifestyle changes, stress reduction, regular sleep patterns, and avoiding triggers. Acute treatments involve over-the-counter pain relievers, triptans (prescription medications), anti-nausea medications, and sometimes, in severe cases, intravenous medications.

Other types of headaches have different symptoms and treatments; our team at Pinnacle Pain Management can help you identify the type of headache you are suffering from and develop a customized treatment plan for lasting headache relief.