There are many causes of headaches. Different types of headaches can be caused by stress, tension, migraines, overwork and several medical conditions. Chronic headaches are also known as recurrent headaches. The headaches could return or reoccur in the future. They are very frustrating and can affect your entire health and performance. Having recurrent headaches is even more stressful since they come back right when you thought they were gone. There are several ways to control or manage recurrent headaches. The following are some options explained by Headache specialist in Faridabad:
A. Mediacations: Medications can be used to treat the underlying cause of headaches and if these fail, medicines to cure headaches are used.
Preventive medicines for recurrent headaches include:
- Antidepressants: Recurrent headaches can be treated with tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline. The medications help in treating depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, which are the leading causes of headaches. There are also antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs and fluoxetine.
- Beta blockers: A beta blocker, commonly used to treat hypertension, also prevents migraine headaches. These include atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol.
- Anti-seizure medicines: Some anti-seizure medicines prevent migraines and cure daily recurrent headaches. A few of them are topiramate, divalproex sodium, and gabapentin.
- NSAIDs: Naproxen sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, also relieves headaches, which appear daily. In cases of severe headache, NSAIDs are prescribed.
- Botulinum toxin: Botox injections or Onabotulinum toxin A injections can be used to treat recurrent headaches and are ideal for people who cannot take their daily medications.
B. Alternative medicine procedures: As an alternative to medications, alternative therapies can be used to treat concurrent headaches. These include:
- Acupuncture: During this ancient procedure, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the skin. Acupuncture reduces headache frequency and intensity.
- Massage therapy: Massage therapy relieves stress, relieves pain, and helps you relax. The tight muscles at the back of the head can be relieved by massage.
- Herbs and nutrients: Some organic herbs prevent migraine headaches and reduce the intensity of headaches. These include butterbur and feverfew. By taking vitamin and mineral supplements, headaches can be reduced and prevented from recurring. Supplements like coenzyme Q10 and magnesium sulfate can also reduce the frequency of headaches.
- Investigational approach: Surgical implants that are battery operated electrodes can be implanted around the occipital nerve. Electrodes implanted in the nerve ease headaches by sending energy pulses.
In addition to medicines, there are several alternative procedures available to treat recurrent headaches. Before trying any of these methods, be sure to consult your doctor.
Whenever you have a question or concern, you can always consult a specialist!