Approximately 15% of the adult population in the United States experiences severe headaches or migraines, with women outpacing men by an almost 2-to-1 margin. Headaches can be terribly frustrating to pin down and treat, which is why you should turn to a neurologist for help. At Chandler Neurology and Sleep Disorders Associates, PC, Dr. Mohammad Khan offers expert guidance for headache sufferers in Chandler, Arizona, providing the latest treatments for headache relief. If you’re prone to frequent and debilitating headaches, call or use the online scheduler to get treatment.
request an appointmentWhat are the most common types of headaches?
Headache is a catchall term for over 100 different types of moderate to severe head pain. Headaches can be primary, meaning that they are the central problem, or they can be secondary, which means that they’re a byproduct of another condition. At Chandler Neurology and Sleep Disorders Associates, Dr. Khan focuses on primary headaches, which are mostly neurological in nature.
The most common types of primary headaches are:
Migraines
Migraines afflict 38 million people in the United States, making them a widespread and very common problem, although this may of little consolation if you suffer from these debilitating and painful attacks. Migraines often go beyond just head pain and include several neurological symptoms, such as dizziness and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can also cause nausea and vomiting. These attacks are usually crippling, leaving you unable to perform the simplest of tasks, never mind go to work or school.
Tension headaches
As the name implies, tension headaches feel like your head is being squeezed, which causes anything from mild discomfort to severe pain depending upon the degree of the headache. Doctors still don’t understand what causes these headaches, but there are treatments that help relieve the pain.
Cluster headaches
These headaches are particularly painful and insidious, often attacking at night and coming in waves known as cluster periods, which can last for weeks or months. Cluster headaches are relatively rare, and there are treatments that help reduce the severity of the cluster periods.
How do you diagnose headaches?
Headaches are notoriously difficult to diagnose since you can’t call one up when you’re with a doctor. It’s for this reason that seeking the counsel of a headache specialist like Dr. Khan can make all the difference. Dr. Khan understands the relationship between your neurological system and your headaches and can sort through your symptoms to get to the underlying cause.
During your visit with Dr. Khan, he sits down with you to review your headaches and medical history, and based on this information, he performs a number of neurological tests to evaluate your brain function. Rest assured, Dr. Khan leaves no stone unturned when it comes to getting to the bottom of your headaches.
How do you treat headaches?
When it comes to headaches, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The causes of many headaches remain elusive, but Dr. Khan offers a number of treatments that provide on-the-spot relief and reduce the length and severity of your head pain. He also recommends lifestyle changes that can have a positive impact on your headaches, preventing them from cropping up altogether.
To get relief for your headaches, call Chandler Neurology and Sleep Disorders Associates, PC, or fill out the online form to request an appointment.