Many people deal with chronic headaches or migraines. In fact, as many as 4 million adults suffer from frequent head pain, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Are you one of them? If so, you may wonder if you will ever find a solution to the problem. As your oral surgeon in Houston knows, the first step is identifying the cause.
Lifestyle Factors Affecting Head Pain
For many people, it’s their habits that result in headaches and migraines. Some of the factors that may lead to this painful condition include the following:
- Poor sleep
- Stress
- Low physical activity
- Dehydration
- Poor nutrition
In addition to these factors, you may have individual migraine triggers — like a certain noise or activity that always seems to result in head pain.
Treatment for migraines and headaches that are the result of lifestyle factors depends a lot on you. Your doctor will evaluate the source of the pain and can then help you with steps to manage the cause. For instance, beginning an exercise routine may help you sleep better, reduce stress, and improve your nutrition — which can ultimately reduce the number of headaches you are experiencing from day to day.
Medical Factors Affecting Head Pain
Migraines that are not the result of lifestyle factors may be caused by a medical issue. Some of the medical conditions related to headaches include:
- Mood and anxiety disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ/TMD)
Treatment for medically-induced migraines and headaches may require visiting with a headache specialist, who is specially trained to identify the source of the pain. Then, treatment may come from a general doctor or a dentist, in the case of migraines brought on by obstructive sleep apnea or TMJ/TMD.
How to Manage Chronic Head Pain
Until you can find a permanent solution for your migraines or headaches, there are some tips you can implement to reduce their severity when they do occur. These include:
- Removing outside stimuli — like by resting in a cool, dark room when migraines occur
- Getting massages regularly, even when you are not experiencing a headache
- Relaxation training to reduce anxiety and pain
- Placing a warm compress on the jaw before sleep, if headaches occur in the morning
- Meditation practices
- Listening to binaural beats, which you can find on YouTube
Getting by day-to-day with headaches and migraines is simply no way to live. If you are one of the millions of Americans who deals with this painful reality, it’s time to find a solution — you deserve freedom from head pain!
Meet the Practice
Piney Point OMS offers exceptional care for patients needing oral surgery in Houston. Among their list of services is treatment for sleep apnea and TMJ, two common causes of headaches. To learn more about how you can overcome these issues, you are invited to contact the office by calling (713) 783-5560 today.