Blog Post

Most everyone deals with headaches to some degree, from an occasional acute onset to chronic, painful episodes that make it hard to function normally. 

This nervous system condition is a global problem, affecting 3.1 billion people as recently as 2021 and ranking just below dementia and stroke as a disabling burden. Yet, it is still a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated condition.

Headache sufferers in the Houston or Spring, Texas, area who need help managing headaches or other medical issues can find help with our team at Houston Medical ER.

Severe headaches can be the result of many different issues, leading to short- or long-term problems and, as such, can have several treatment solutions. 

But which treatments are the best for your needs? To find out, we need to examine the types of headaches people often deal with, the common severe forms, and the ways to get relief.

Types of headaches

The unpleasant issues with headaches come in one of two different forms: primary or secondary. 

The first is a main condition that may have genetic, environmental, or lifestyle factors and include tension, migraine, cluster, and new daily persistent headaches. 

The latter type are the result of other conditions or underlying problems, such as dehydration, sinus illnesses, allergies, medication overuse, spinal problems, head injuries, brain bleeds, and hypertension.

There are over 150 varieties of primary or secondary headaches, and they affect children, adolescents, and adults. 

Common severe headaches

Many chronic primary headaches can become severe, like the migraine, tension, and new daily persistent types, especially if they last for 15 days or more in a 90-day period. Many of them have pulsing, throbbing, or tightening sensations, have different levels of intensity, and happen in one or both sides of your head. 

Headaches due to head and spinal injuries can also become severe, and you should seek immediate medical attention if they come with vomiting, confusion, stiff neck, slurred speech, fever, vision loss, or any paralysis.

Treatment options

The specific treatment for your headache depends on the cause, frequency, and severity. Most medications (whether over-the-counter or prescription) for headaches are some form of abortive treatment. This means they’re designed to take care of pain immediately. 

For migraine headaches, we might also suggest a preventive treatment, since people struggling with them can often be in one of four phases of the illness, but the pain happens in only one. 

Common abortive medications include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, fiorinal, fioricet, anti-nausea medications, triptans, gepants, and ditans. Many preventive medications for migraine headaches can be used for other types and include antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, steroids, and hormonal medications.

We manage severe headaches on an individual basis, so if you’re looking for relief from this persistent problem, contact our team at Houston Medical ER today.