UNDERSTANDING THE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADACHES IN SMYRNA

Headaches are among the most common health complaints in Smyrna, GA and around the world. Nearly every man and woman will experience them, at least occasionally, according to WHO (World Health Organization). Infrequent, mild to moderate, temporary headaches are usually not a cause for concern. However, recurring episodes indicate a headache disorder, which can seriously diminish a person’s quality of life. Additionally, some types of headaches may be symptoms of other, potentially serious, medical conditions.

WHAT ARE THE HEADACHES?

The term headache is broadly defined as pain of the upper neck and head areas, with specific symptoms and causes varying widely. They are classified into three categories:

• Primary – This includes some of the most familiar headache disorders, such as migraines and tension headaches. These are primary conditions, rather than symptoms.
• Secondary – These headaches are symptoms of something else, such as a sinus infection, meningitis, or head injury. Headaches caused by alcohol (hangover), chemical exposure, or medications are also classified as secondary.
• Other – The third classification primarily covers headaches and facial pain associated with cranial neuralgia, which is a type of nerve inflammation.

IDENTIFYING COMMON TYPES OF HEADACHES

There are more than 150 different types of headaches, which can make accurate self-diagnosis nearly impossible. In fact, even physicians sometimes struggle to identify the underlying cause of a person’s pain. Many patients who come to Smyrna Dental have sought treatment for years without finding relief, often because doctors overlooked jaw alignment and bite issues as a possible cause.

Some of the best-known headache types include:

• Tension headaches – This is considered the most common type of headache, affecting about five percent of the global population daily. Causes and contributing factors may include muscle tension, stress, lack of sleep, inadequate nutrition, poor posture, and more. The symptoms can vary, from a narrow band of pressure to intense pain affecting the entire head. Many people who experience frequent tension headaches also have migraines. In fact, tension headaches can trigger migraines in certain individuals.
• Migraines – This is the second-most prevalent headache type. A migraine can be debilitating, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, extreme light sensitivity, and eye pain. The pain is often severe and usually occurs on one side of the head. Like other types of headaches, the exact cause of migraines is poorly understood, though researchers believe that they are linked to neurotransmitter levels in the brain. There are many potential migraine triggers, including stress, hormones, loud sounds, some foods, chemical sensitivities, or tension headaches.
• Cluster headaches – Although frequently discussed, this type of headache is rather rare. They usually come in clusters, meaning that an affected person will have several headaches per day. In most cases, they are a daily occurrence for weeks or months and then go into remission for a time.

HOW ARE HEADACHES TREATED?

For mild, occasional headaches the most common treatment is over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. However, those types of medicines are usually insufficient for people who experience frequent, severe headache pain. Additionally, they do not address the potential underlying causes or triggers of headache disorders.

There are many different options for medical treatment of headaches, which can be quite frustrating for individuals who have tried one after another without finding relief. If you have experienced this frustration, there is a chance that the source of your pain may be of dental or orthodontic origin.

Jaw disorders and bite problems impact not only your ability to chew but also muscles and nerves. The symptoms of TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) can include migraine-like headaches, other pain in the head, face, jaw, or elsewhere in the upper body, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and much more.

Here at Smyrna Dental, we offer advanced diagnostics and comprehensive treatment. We create a customized treatment plan for each patient because every case is unique. This may include a corrective orthodontic appliance, light therapy, massage, ultrasound, and teaching the patient-specific exercises to bring relief. If you are searching for a solution to headache pain in Smyrna, visit us for a consultation to find out how we can help. Just give us a call at (678) 374-3764 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Lamothe to get started.