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Headache Specialist

Samuel I. Fink, MD Our Services Headache

Samuel I. Fink, MD

Internal Medicine & Primary Care located in Tarzana, CA

You won’t be surprised to hear that headaches are one of the most common health problems, but you may not realize that severe headaches affect 15% of all American adults. If you suffer from severe or frequent headaches, Samuel I. Fink, MD, Inc., can help by diagnosing the specific type of headache and providing customized treatment, including medication to help prevent future headaches. To learn more about your treatment options, book an appointment online or call the office in Tarzana, California.

Headache Q & A

What are the different types of headaches?

Although there are more than 150 types of headaches, they’re all placed into one of two categories, primary and secondary.

Primary headaches are caused by problems in your head and neck, such as nerve sensitivity, narrowed blood vessels, tense muscles, or chemical activity in your brain.

Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying health condition. This category includes headaches due to a concussion, a sinus headache, and a medication overuse headache.

 

What are the most common primary headaches?

The three most common primary headaches are:

Tension headaches

The most common of all headaches, tension headaches arise due to tight muscles and are often related to stress or lack of sleep. They usually cause a mild-to-moderate pain that feels like a tight band is squeezing your head.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches cause excruciating pain in or around one eye. They’re called cluster headaches because you’ll have numerous headaches over a period of time, then they stop and you go into remission for months or possibly years. Cluster headaches usually last 6-12 weeks with headaches occurring several times daily, often at night. A single headache may last 15 minutes to three hours.

Migraine headaches

Migraines cause intense, throbbing pain that lasts 4-72 hours. The pain is typically concentrated around the temple on one side of your face but may spread to both sides. Your pain also worsens when you move. During a migraine, you’ll experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells.

Migraine headaches are triggered by numerous factors. Some of the most common triggers include stress, fatigue, caffeine, bright lights, lack of sleep, not eating, or eating specific foods.

 

How are headaches treated?

Tension headaches usually respond well to over-the-counter pain relievers. However, if your tension headache doesn’t improve with your preferred medicine, Dr. Fink may prescribe medication.

Some prescription medications are fast-acting, so you take them to relieve the pain when you have a headache. Dr. Fink may also prescribe medications that you take daily to prevent future headaches and to reduce their severity when they occur.

Many different medications are available to relieve severe headache pain. To learn more about your options, call Samuel I. Fink, MD, Inc., or book an appointment online.