Types of Headaches and Locating the Cause of the Pain

We have all experienced debilitating headaches. Some people have them frequently, affecting their ability to work, care for their families, and live fulfilling lives. No one should have to suffer when there are now many options to treat headache pain. 

Headache pain is a common reason patients seek medical attention. Figuring out why you are having headaches can sometimes be a mystery. But if providers can determine the likely cause, treatment can be more successful. 

Seeking help from a pain management specialist can help you manage your headaches. Before you seek help, it can be a good idea to keep a record of your headaches so you and your provider can work together to diagnose and treat them. 

How to Diagnose the Cause of your Headache?

Where you have headaches is one way your doctor may be able to determine what is causing them. Different types of headaches manifest in different locations. There are generally three different types of headaches: cluster headaches, migraine headaches, and tension headaches. 

The following chart can help determine what type of headache you may be experiencing: 

Location of Pain	Cause of Pain	Other Possible Causes
The back of your head or neck	Migraine or a Tension Headache	Arthritis  Occipital neuralgia
Top of your head; “band headache”	Tension Headache	Migraine Occipital neuralgia Severe hypertension (rare) Aneurysm (rare)
Forehead, cheeks, or behind the eyes	Tension headache or migraine	Cluster headache Sinus infection
Behind one eye	Cluster headache	Migraine Eye infection Aneurysm (rare) Occipital neuralgia
Temples	Tension headache	Migraine Cluster headache TMJ issues
One side of the head	Migraine Cluster headache	Aneurysm (rare)
Not sure or it hurts all over	Tension headaches	Migraine Sinus infection

How to Track Your Symptoms?

Keeping track of your symptoms and triggers are beneficial in treating your headaches. Try to take note of what triggers your pain. Some common ones may include:

• Stress
• Sleep (too much or not enough)
• Allergies
• Eye strain, especially when at the computer
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Hunger or Dehydration
• Hormones related to your period in women
• Eating certain foods

Many providers advise keeping a diary of your headaches. Write down what you were doing before it started and what you think may have triggered the headache. 

Try to describe what the headache feels like. It can be difficult but possibly throbbing, squeezing, constant, or intermittent (comes and goes). 

Also, note how long it lasted and what, if anything, provided relief. 

What You Should Know About Migraines

Migraines are very debilitating headaches. Usually, they are felt as a throbbing pain and can be on one side of the head or both. They usually last for a while, and light and noise can make them worse. Some people notice a vision change called an “aura” or a sensitivity to lights and sound. 

Auras can appear different from person to person. They can be described as:

• Flashing lights
• Shimmering lights
• Blind Spots
• Zigzags
• Seeing stars

Often people with migraines do not find relief with OTC pain medications, and a consultation with a pain management specialist will help manage them in the future. 

Treatment Options for Headaches

You can try conservative treatments at home when you feel a headache is starting. To start, make sure you are hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. Try lying in a dark, quiet room to take a nap if you can. Some people find putting a cold compress on their head is helpful. 

OTC medications such as an NSAID or acetaminophen can provide some relief for some headaches, such as tension headaches. As stated, migraines but also cluster headaches may not respond as well to these medications. 

Prescription medications are available that can not only treat headaches but also may prevent them before they start. There are also options to try if you want to try to avoid prescription medications. 

Where can I find Pain Management for Headaches?

You don’t have to suffer from headaches anymore, and our providers at Pain Care Specialists of Florida can help you. Together, we can develop a plan to treat your headache symptoms so you can get back to the life you love. 

We use individualized treatment plans to ensure that we are treating the cause of your pain rather than just the symptoms. 

Your first step on the way against pain is scheduling an appointment with our team so we can provide the right treatment plan for you. We offer services at the following locations: 

• Pain management Aventura
• Pain management Hollywood

Also, if you are looking for telemedicine pain management doctors, we are now offering telemedicine services to our patients. 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please reach out to contact us today! 

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.