by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire, PhD, DNP, FNP, MPH-
When you have a headache, the first thing you might think is that your blood pressure is elevated. Actually, research has shown that severe blood pressure (sbp>179, or dbp> 120) is likely the culprit of a headache, not mild elevations.
What Causes Headaches
There are primary and secondary headaches, and the majority of headaches are primary only 1% are secondary. Primary headaches are usually caused by a combination of lifestyle triggers, genetics, and developmental or environmental risk factors. However, secondary headaches are caused by something else: intracranial pressure or bleeding, inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, inflammation of the lining of your arteries in your head, tumor, or other things.
Common Headaches
The most common types of headaches are migraines, clusters, or tension-type. These are all primary headaches and usually, they are not associated with changes in your neuro exam. However, migraines and tension headaches might be associated with photophobia or audiophobia.
How to Distinguish Between the Three Types of Headaches
Migraines are usually on one side of the head, and they might be proceeded by an aura. Tension-type are felt on one side of the head usually behind the eye. Cluster headaches are usually bilateral, felt in temporal areas or around the head.
Headache Food Triggers
Chocolates, alcohol, some cheeses, MSG, artificial sweeteners, perfumes, stress, poor sleep or excessive sleep, hunger, and altered routine could trigger headaches. Therefore, the first line of treatment for headaches is to identify and eliminate these triggers. Keeping a headache journal is the most effective way to identify these triggers. Simply, track your headaches and write down all details leading up to your headache, and look for trends. Most doctors forget to recommend this first line of treatment but it has proven to be very effective. Further, primary headaches.
Abortive Therapy for Headaches
Treatment for headaches depends on the type of headache and the cause of the headache. There is no specific testing needed to diagnose headaches. Your healthcare provider will not likely get imaging or lab testing to diagnose your headache.
Tylenol or ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain medication are usually useful to treat headaches. However, if your headache is associated with photophobia or audiophobia, triptans may be added to the regimen.
No matter the cause of your headache, monitor your blood pressure. Share your log with your healthcare provider including your pain level for the best headache and blood pressure management.
Useful Tools
Headache Diary
Blood Pressure Log
Home Blood Pressure Monitor
Pain Level Survey
