Advanced Pain Medical Group offers a variety of treatments for headache and migraine pain, with eight locations located throughout Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura counties. Continuous pain can be debilitating, and OTC solutions don’t always work. Our doctors are dedicated to finding the underlying medical cause and developing a pain relief solution that works for you.
Not All Head Pain Is The Same
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, headaches can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary headaches are their own main diagnosis, although they can have contributing factors such as dehydration, hormonal changes, sensitivity to certain foods or medicines, etc. Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying medical condition such as a sinus infection, toothache, eyestrain, neck injury, etc. They usually clear up after the condition is treated and healed.
Treatment For Primary Headaches
Many primary headaches are chronic and can severely impact your quality of life—some last for days, forcing you to miss work, family time, and social gatherings.
Migraines
- Tension Headaches
- Hypnic Headaches
- Cluster Headaches / TACs
Southern California Migraine Specialist
Migraines aren’t just agonizing. Often, additional symptoms make it impossible for you to function. Some migraines only last for a couple of hours, but in other cases, they can persist up to 72 hours while you lie in bed in a dark room, unable to function normally.
- Severe Pain That Pulsates
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity To Light & Sound
- Visual Effects (Aura)
If your current migraine treatment protocol isn’t working, a headache doctor will do everything possible to create a pain management regimen to get you back on your feet and keep you there.
Treatment For Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches. You can take OTC medicine to treat occasional, minor headaches. But, if symptoms worsen, last for several days, become chronic, it’s time to see a pain management doctor.
- Tight Band Of Pain
- Constant Dull Ache Or Pressure
- Scalp Or Forehead Tenderness
- May Occur On Both Sides Of The Head
Help For Hypnic Headaches
Hypnic headaches are rare and only occur during sleep, especially during the REM cycle. Many hypnic headache sufferers experience similar symptoms as those accompanying migraine, including severe bilateral pain and nausea. If they happen a lot, you should ask a doctor to evaluate you for underlying causes, such as blood pressure issues or sleep apnea.
Treating Cluster Headaches & TACs
If you experience sudden pain on one side of the head, you probably have cluster headaches or another type of TAC (trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias). Some additional symptoms you might experience with TAC are listed below.
Note that most accompanying symptoms only occur on the same side as the pain. Cluster headaches often require clinical treatment and prescription pain management like other chronic headaches.
- Sudden Pain, Often Around One Eye
- Often Occurs At Night
- Tearing
- Stuffy Nose
- Facial Sweating
- Swelling
- Drooping Eyelid
- Restlessness
When To Seek Emergency Headache Treatment
If primary headaches keep you from living the life you desire, it’s probably time to visit a pain management specialist. However, there are times when you shouldn’t wait for an appointment. Below are some severe symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency such as a stroke or meningitis.
If you have these symptoms, please call 911 or have someone take you to the E.R. as soon as possible.
- Stiff Neck
- Confusion
- Difficulty Speaking
- Vision Changes
- High Fever
- Rash
- Severe Pain Not Responding To Treatment
- Weakness
- Headache Following A Fall Or Accident
Eight Pain Clinics Serving Southern California
Are you tired of suffering from migraines? Our headache doctors in Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura counties are currently accepting new patients. Let us help you get your normal life back. Call now to schedule an appointment.