23 Aug Chronic Headaches, Migraines, Occipital or Fronto-Temporal Trigeminal Neuralgia, Despite Medical Care

Chronic Headaches

Headaches are one of the ways our bodies warns us of a fault in the system.

The common occurrence of headaches has enabled headache patients to acquire fast remedies over the counter. However, there are other types of headaches that occur in a chronic and devastating way. This piece covers four of the common types of chronic headaches, more specifically; chronic concussion related headaches; their causes, common symptoms, and possible remedies. The information presented here is offered as a suggestion and the reader is encouraged to always seek professional medical advice.

The chronic headaches discussed include: post-concussion headaches from sports related injuries; whiplash related headaches following car accidents; occipital neuralgia; and chronic headaches that persist for more than six months.

Post-Concussion Headaches from sports

These headaches are common among athletes who perform impact related sports. Some of these athletes might include: rugby players, football players, and other sports with intense body impact. Post-concussion headache syndrome exhibits dizziness episodes that last for weeks. Another common symptom of post-concussion is headaches that last for the first seven to ten days and could extend to a month. In most cases, post-concussion headaches are liked to tension-type pains.

Treatment for Post-concussion Headaches from sports

It is recommend by all sports doctors that you should seek medical treatment when you experience headaches that might cause confusion or ones that are extra-ordinarily persistent; typically more than three days after the concussion. Important also, is that you should NEVER go back to the game immediately after a sports concussion episode. Medical help should be sort immediately after the impact causes the pain or confusion. You can go to www.mayoclinic.org for more information on post-concussion headaches.

Whiplash Headaches from Car Accidents

Headaches from motor vehicle accidents, commonly referred to as MVAs, are of the same nature as most post traumatic headaches. However, most post-concussion headaches from motor vehicle accidents are primary. Secondary headaches are also experienced in cases of subdural hematomas, although they are mentioned to be less common. Patients from MVAs are encouraged to take scans to strike out risks of subdural hematomas. Progressive uncomplicated lower back pains accompanied by headaches for more than 20 days should alert you to post-concussion from a previous MVA. Subdural hematomas are a gross case of MVA concussion.

Treatment for MVA chronic concussions

The clinical features of MVA related chronic headaches are non-responsiveness and progression. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice whenever persistent headaches and lower back pains are felt after accidents.Check out this article for more information on motor vehicle collision related headaches.

Occipital Neuralgia after Head Surgery

Occipital neuralgia is headache characterized by pain originating from the occipital nerves. These nerves run from the back of the head to the forehead but exclude the face and most of the area around the ear. The nerves run from the bones of the spine at the upper neck into the muscles in the brain and to the scalp. Occipital neuralgia is experienced by patients just from head surgery. One reason it is common in post-brain surgical patients is because minor irritations to the occipital nerve send waves throughout its trail in the brain.

Treatment for Occipital Neuralgia

Cases of isolated occipital neuralgia are very rare; however, general occipital neuralgia is diagnosed when migraines and persistent back-of-the-head pains occur. Occipital nerve blocks are a drastic measure to take when occipital migraines occur. Please see www.hopkinsmedicine.org for more information on occipital neuralgia.

Chronic Headaches and Migraines (More than Six Months)

A good expression for chronic headaches and migraines is those that occur on more days than not. These are the persistent headaches that seem almost like a daily schedule. One article you would enjoy puts it that: almost four percent of the world population experiences these types of chronic migraines. It is worth noting that these chronic headaches are not from previous concussions but are persistent. Chronic daily headaches are categorized into different stages and types according to: the types of pain felt, the intensity of the pain, and the frequency of occurrence.

Treatment of Chronic Headaches and Migraines

Chronic migraines are common by themselves; however, you should take great caution against persistent head pains that occur with varying intensities and times. Persistent migraines may be a precipitate of underlying serious conditions and you should address them as promptly as possible.Here is an insightful article on chronic migraines.

Wrap

A sure way to minimize concussion and whiplash injuries by MVA is to always use seatbelts. Similarly, helmets and other appropriate body gear should be used during games and sports.

Concussion requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment by headache specialist. Consequently, if headaches or neuralgia persist for longer then 3-6 months despite medical care, surgical evaluation might be also required to address nerve damage.