Statistically, headaches are usually not dangerous, but frequent or severe headaches should always be checked out by your doctor. Singer Laura Branigan might still be alive if she'd gone to the doctor, and actress Sharon Stone recounts almost dying from what she mistakenly thought was a migraine.
What are the different types of headaches?
There are many types of headaches, and a person can have more than one type. Tension-type headaches are the most common, and are experienced by an estimated 80% of the population.
Diagnosing headaches & working with doctors
A proper diagnosis is key to appropriate treatment. Your doctor will need your help with this. A headache diary is a great tool to help you and your doctor spot patterns.
- Keeping a Headache and Migraine Diary
- Is it Migraine? Tension? What?
- It's a Headache, Isn't It?
- Guide To Visiting a New Doctor
- Coping With Busy Doctors
- Headache and Migraine Care: As it SHOULD Be
- Is This Doctor/Patient Relationship Worth Saving?
- Time for a New Doctor?
- When To See Your Doctor for a Headache or Migraine
- Quiz: Is Your Doctor Right for You?
Headache and migraine triggers
Triggers are physiological things we encounter that bring on a headache or migraine. Once we identify our triggers, we can sometimes avoid them, thus avoiding at least some of our headaches and migraines.
Treatment
There are more treatment options for headaches than ever before. With over 100 medications and dietary supplements that can be used for prevention, effective preventive regimens can be found for at least 95% of patients. Options for stopping in progress are also better than ever before. Triptans aren't just for migraines; they also work well for some people with cluster headaches and some migraine-like headaches such as post-traumatic headaches.
- Prevention
- Aborting / treating headaches and migraines when they happen:
- Aromatherapy As a Complementary Therapy
- Eletriptan: Switching Triptans for Greater Efficacy
- Head Pain: NOT To Be Ignored!
- Headache or Migraine Emergency: ER? Urgent Care?
- IV Therapy in the Headache Clinic for Refractory Migraine
- Medication Overuse Headache: What's a person to do?
- Midrin or Imitrex? Should both be first-line migraine meds?
- Orgasm & Headaches/Migraine
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex) Safe During Pregnancy?
- Triptans: Overview and Profiles
- Triptans Pose Less Risk Than OTC Meds for Some Patients
Support & living with headaches and migraines
- EMPOWERMENT Over Headaches and Migraine
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Basics
- Living Well in 2006: 10 Keys for Taking Control
- Making Yourself a Comfort and Relief Bag
- Patients: We Are Consumers and Customers
- SSDI or SSI? What are the differences and basics?
- Relax for Better Health and Fewer Headaches
- Steps To a Head Pain Sufferer Friendly Home
- Tips for Holidays with Less Head Pain
- Tips for Keeping the Fun In Summer
- Tips for Safe Medications Use
