Headache

offered in Scottsdale, Mesa and Phoenix, AZ

Recurrent headaches and migraines can have a devastating impact on your ability to lead an everyday life. If you experience recurring headaches, visit Nikesh Seth, MD, and the Integrated Pain Consultants team at their offices in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona. They can identify the kind of headache you have and design an effective treatment plan. Call your nearest Integrated Pain Consultants office today or schedule a headache and migraine assessment by completing the online form.

Headache Q & A

Why do I keep getting headaches?

Headaches are one of the most common causes of recurring pain. In many cases, acute headaches develop because of muscle tension when you’re under stress. Neck injuries can also cause headaches, and headaches are often a symptom of conditions like flu, colds, and fevers. Dehydration is another common cause of frequent headaches.

Some headache causes are less easy to pin down. Severe, recurring headaches like migraines and cluster headaches can cause extreme pain, but the reason why remains unclear. Migraines are especially common and disabling. In addition to the pain, they cause symptoms like:

Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Weakness
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Sound, light, touch, and smell sensitivity

People with classic migraines may experience auras. These are sensory disturbances where spots or flashing lights appear before your eyes.

Some people get migraines and other severe and recurring headaches regularly. These persistent headaches can severely impact your quality of life.

How do I know what’s causing my headaches?

To determine why you get headaches, your Integrated Pain Consultants provider completes a physical exam and reviews your symptoms and medical history.

Often this provides enough information to confirm your headache’s cause, but diagnostic tests are sometimes necessary. These could include blood tests and/or diagnostic imaging, such as a CT or MRI scan.

How can I reduce the risk of headaches?

Daily headaches often resolve if you take over-the-counter pain medications. If an infection or congestion causes your headache, it will ease as you recover from your illness.

Managing stress reduces tension headaches, and drinking enough daily prevents dehydration. If your headaches stem from a musculoskeletal problem, chiropractic adjustments can help.

Other headaches, like migraines, might require additional treatments. Your Integrated Pain Consultants provider designs a personalized care plan for you that might include one or more of the following:

Muscle relaxants
Relaxation and biofeedback
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antiseizure medications
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors
Electrical and magnetic pulse technologies
Glucocorticoids
Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
Steroid trigger point injections
Nerve blocks

Nerve block injections contain a local anesthetic. This temporarily numbs your pain and can also reduce headache severity long-term.

If you experience frequent migraines (more than 15 each month), you might benefit from medical Botox® injections.

Call Integrated Pain Consultants today or book an appointment online for comprehensive care of headaches and migraines.