Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prescriptions for Headaches
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Can a doctor address headaches on Laso MD?
Certainly. A doctor on Laso MD can provide recommendations for headache treatment once they identify the type of headache you’re experiencing.
To provide an accurate headache diagnosis, the doctor will discuss the region where your headache is localized and inquire about your symptoms. This information helps determine whether the headache is primary or secondary.
Following that, they’ll likely delve into your medical history and inquire about any other relevant conditions you may be facing.
If there’s a suspicion of a secondary headache caused by an underlying condition, the doctor may recommend headache tests to further understand the root cause of your symptoms.
Can I receive a prescription on Laso MD?
Certainly. Doctors on Laso MD can prescribe headache medications online during your consultation. Upon accepting a headache prescription, you’ll have the choice to either pick it up from any pharmacy or have it delivered to your doorstep at no extra cost.
What is a headache?
A headache is discomfort situated in any region of the head.
Headaches may be localized to a specific small area, impact one or both sides of the head, evoke a vice-like, crushing sensation, or radiate from a particular focal point.
What types of headaches exist?
Headaches can be categorized into two main types: Primary and Secondary.
Primary headaches encompass:
- Migraines, with or without auras
- Tension headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Chronic daily headaches, including hemicranias continua, chronic tension-type headaches, and chronic migraine headaches
- Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC)
- Exercise headaches
- Cough headaches
- Sex headaches
- Hypnic headaches
Secondary headaches include:
- Spinal headaches
- Ice cream headaches
- Sinus headaches
- Thunderclap headaches
- Medication overuse headaches
- External compression headaches
What distinguishes sinus headaches from migraines?
A migraine headache typically presents with pressure on the forehead or face, often felt over the sinuses, and may include nasal congestion and a runny nose.
In the case of a sinus headache, similar symptoms may occur, with the addition of potential fever, nasal discharge containing pus, and unpleasant breath.
Despite being distinct conditions, it’s noteworthy that up to 90% of self-diagnosed cases of sinus headaches are, in fact, migraines.
Consult with a doctor on Laso MD to have your headache symptoms assessed. This evaluation can help identify the specific type of headache you’re experiencing and guide you in effective headache management.
What are the signs of headaches?
Various types of headaches can bring about a diverse range of symptoms.
Apart from pain, the most prevalent symptoms associated with headaches include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Eye pain, particularly when exposed to bright lights
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Scalp tenderness
- Tightness in the head
- Earache
- Jaw or tooth pain, often resulting from clenching
- Stroke, in extremely rare instances
What leads to headaches?
The causes of the two types of headaches differ significantly.
Primary headaches do not stem from an underlying disease; instead, they typically result from overactivity or issues with pain-sensitive structures in the head. Common causes of primary headaches include:
- Changes in sleep
- Lack of sleep
- Poor posture
- Skipped meals
- Alcohol, especially red wine
- Certain foods, particularly those high in nitrates
- Stress
A secondary headache acts as a symptom of another disease or condition affecting the pain-sensitive nerves in the head. Numerous diseases can lead to this type of headache, including:
- Blood clot within the brain (venous thrombosis)
- Concussion
- Intracranial hematoma
- Meningitis
- Acute sinusitis
- Stroke
- Encephalitis
- Dehydration
- Arterial tears
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Brain tumor
- Brain aneurysm
- Chiari malformation
- COVID-19
- Hangovers
- Panic attacks or disorder
- Hypertension
- Ear infection
- Brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Overuse of pain medication
- Dental problems
- Toxoplasmosis
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Influenza
- Glaucoma
- Giant cell arteritis
- Pseudotumor cerebri
- Trigeminal neuralgia and other neuralgias
What leads to tension headaches?
Tension headaches typically occur when the muscles in the neck and scalp contract or tense up.
While factors such as depression, anxiety, or a head injury can contribute, stress is the most prevalent cause of tension headaches.
How are tension headaches treated?
Various treatment options may be recommended by a doctor to address tension headaches.
The choice of headache treatment will be influenced by the doctor’s diagnosis of the specific headache type and the symptoms you’re presenting. The objective is to identify a headache therapy tailored to your individual needs.
Common approaches to treating tension headaches include:
- Application of hot or cold compresses to the forehead or neck
- Massage therapy
- Modest amounts of caffeine
- Resting in a quiet, dark environment
- Over-the-counter headache remedies (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
How are hypnic headaches addressed?
Hypnic headaches, a rare type that may occur during sleep and last between 15 minutes and 3 hours, can be challenging to alleviate. However, common approaches to treating hypnic headaches include:
- Lithium carbonate
- Caffeine
- Flunarizine
- Indomethacin
- Melatonin
- Topiramate
What is Laso MD?
With Laso MD, you can initiate a conversation with a doctor about your symptoms within minutes. We provide a healthcare platform for quick and convenient 24/7 access to Canadian doctors.
Simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll connect you to a doctor through live chat or video. Explore our “How it works” page to learn more.
Our doctors can assess symptoms and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.
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