Everyone gets a headache now and then, but if you have headaches more than a couple of times a month or if the pain is so severe that it prevents you from participating in your normal activities, you may need help from a neurologist like Omar Ahmed, MD. At Apex Neurology, Northern Medical Care PC in the Bronx and Forest Hills, New York, Dr. Ahmed provides diagnosis and treatment for a variety of headache conditions. You don’t need to put up with chronic headaches — call or schedule a consultation online today.
Headaches are typically divided into two main categories:
Common causes of headaches include:
While headaches are common, when they’re severe or frequent they can disrupt your life. You don’t need to accept headaches as normal when the doctor offers effective, customized care.
Migraines are severe primary headaches that often cause symptoms that include nausea, distorted vision, and sensitivity to light, sound, and scent. The precise cause of migraines isn’t currently understood, although hormones and stress are believed to contribute.
Genetics may also play a role. Your risk of getting migraines is higher if a member of your family also has them.
A cluster headache occurs when you have several severe headaches over a period of consecutive days, weeks, or even months.
Many people who experience cluster headaches get them in cyclic flare-ups or outbreaks. Cluster headaches are believed to be linked to hormonal fluctuations and your internal “clock,” controlled by your hypothalamus gland.
Before they can determine the best treatment for your headaches, the doctor needs to understand their type and cause. He offers detailed consultations where you discuss your symptoms and personal and family medical history. The doctor may ask you to keep a journal or log of your symptoms and other lifestyle factors like your diet, water consumption, and physical activity.
The doctor also performs a physical exam and may request additional testing, including blood work and imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, to rule out other conditions that could be causing your headaches.
The doctors create a customized treatment strategy to relieve your pain and address any underlying conditions. He may suggest modifications to your diet to avoid certain trigger foods, or he may recommend that you reduce your caffeine or alcohol consumption.
He may prescribe medications to both prevent and treat migraines, and he may suggest Botox® injections if you have chronic tension headaches.
If severe or chronic headaches are disrupting your life, call or book an appointment online. The doctor can identify the cause of your pain and provide effective treatments to help you get your life back.