Headaches

Headaches are a common condition, affecting millions of Americans on a daily basis. Although headaches typically improve with rest and at-home care, certain types can point to underlying conditions, such as migraines or cardiovascular disease. At Humble Simple Care, a virtual primary care practice serving people across the state of Kentucky and Virginia, Nicole Isaac, MSN, FNP-C, regularly diagnoses and treats headaches. To receive headache treatment, make an appointment by clicking the online booking feature. 

What are headaches?

Headaches cause pain or aching in your head and/or face. They’re one of the most common acute medical issues and occur for various reasons, including dehydration, stress, and lack of sleep. More serious underlying medical issues, such as heart disease and migraine, can also cause headaches.

Even though most headaches go away on their own, if you regularly experience them or they affect your quality of life, identifying the underlying cause is crucial. 

Are there different types of headaches?

There are many types of headaches, but they all fall into two categories:

Primary headaches

These headaches occur due to nerve overactivity or problems with the pain-sensitive areas of your head and scalp. Common types of primary headaches include tension-type, migraine, and cluster headaches.

Secondary headaches

These headaches occur due to an underlying medical condition, such as dehydration, a sinus infection, or spinal fluid leaks. Secondary headaches can range from mild to serious, depending on the underlying cause.

How are headaches diagnosed via telemedicine?

Nicole reviews your health history and asks about your headaches, including what they feel like, how often they occur, and whether certain activities, such as exercising or being stressed out, worsen them. Tell her if you’ve been diagnosed with any medical conditions that can increase the risk of headaches, such as chronic sinusitis.

Next, Nicole completes a virtual exam. Many headaches can be evaluated online, but if Nicole suspects a medical condition is responsible for your symptoms, she may refer you to a nearby medical facility for additional testing, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bloodwork.

How are headaches treated?

Treatment for headaches depends on their frequency, severity, and underlying cause. Most people benefit from a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, at-home care, and, when necessary, prescription medication. Nicole may suggest:

• Stress management and/or relaxation techniques
• Biofeedback to monitor involuntary physical responses to your headaches
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
• Prescription medication, if you have migraine headaches
• Treating underlying medical conditions responsible for secondary headaches

Since headaches are often tricky to treat, it may take some trial and error at first. Nicole monitors your symptoms at regular checkups and can adjust your treatment plan as needed.

If you are suffering from frequent headaches, don’t wait to seek professional help. Schedule a telemedicine appointment at Humble Simple Care by clicking the online booking feature.