Headaches and Migraine Treatments Specialist in Edinburg and Mission, TX

Just as there are several different types of headaches, there is also a wide variety of causes for each type of headache. There are over 150 types of headaches; however, there are only three major types of headaches, which are also known as primary headaches. With that in mind, the causes of each of the three types of primary headaches are as follows:

– Cluster headaches: the causes of cluster headaches are relatively unknown, as it is not associated with any known triggers. However, alcohol use can increase the intensity of cluster headaches, and some medications may trigger cluster headaches.

– Migraine headaches: while the precise cause of migraines is unclear, there are several known triggers of migraine headaches, including changes in sleep pattern, daily use of pain-relief medication, dehydration, emotional stress, exposure to smoke or strong scents, excessive caffeine intake, flashing or fluorescent lights, hormonal changes, overexertion, and sensitivity to various chemicals or preservatives in food.

– Tension headaches: the exact cause of tension headaches is also unclear, but some known triggers include anxiety, bright sunlight, certain smells, dehydration, fatigue, lack of exercise, missing meals, noise, poor posture, and stress.

A migraine is a unique type of headache that differs in several ways from other types of headaches, such as tension or cluster headaches. With that in mind, a migraine can have several auxiliary symptoms in addition to a headache, including visual disturbances, mood changes, food cravings, and digestive issues. In contrast, the symptoms of tension and cluster headaches are confined to the head, neck, and face area.

Migraines typically happen in several stages and can occur with or without a headache. There are four stages of migraine headaches, but not every migraine case occurs with all the stages. With that in mind, the four stages of migraines are as follows:

– Premonitory or prodrome stage: this stage can last several hours and often occurs with such symptoms as fatigue, food cravings, feeling thirsty, mood changes, and neck stiffness. This stage does not occur with every migraine headache.

– Aura stage: this stage can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour and can occur with a broad range of symptoms, including visual disturbances such as dark spots, colored spots, zigzag lines, or sparkles, as well as numbness, tingling, dizziness, vertigo, memory changes, confusion, fainting, or feelings of fear. When there is no aura phase, the migraine is referred to as migraine without aura.

– Attack stage: the attack stage involves an intense and throbbing or pressing headache that usually starts on one side of the head and spreads to the other side, although it can also occur on both sides of the head or all over the head. Other symptoms during this stage could include nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. Some migraines can occur without the attack stage and are referred to as silent migraines.

– Postdrome stage: this stage of a migraine can last hours or days and is often referred to as a “migraine hangover,” as the effects of the migraine linger with similar or mirrored symptoms to the premonitory or prodrome stage.

We welcome you to schedule an appointment with us at Catalyst Medical through our website or by giving us a call! We serve patients from Edinburg TX, McAllen TX, San Juan TX, Alamo TX, Pharr TX, Palmhurst TX, Mission TX, Alton TX and Palmview TX.