Treatment of Chronic Headaches After an Auto Accident
Chronic headaches are a common problem after motor vehicle accidents. These headaches can take many different forms. Some of the most common types of headaches include:
- Tension-Type Headaches: Tension headaches are the number one cause of chronic headaches. Those who suffer from tension headaches often described them as a squeezing or band sensation around the head.
- Migraine Headaches: Many people suffer from migraines. The hallmark symptoms of migraines include nausea, vomiting, and fear or bright lights or loud noises. Some migraine headaches can last for hours.
- Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches are more unusual than the previous two types of headaches. The symptoms are more pronounced. Cluster headaches can often cause paralysis of one half of the face with tearing or swelling on that side of the face only. These headaches can be extremely debilitating.
These headaches can have a severe impact on someone’s quality of life. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to understand a few of the treatment options for chronic, recurrent headaches.
Acute Treatment of Chronic Headaches
Many traumatic injuries in a motor vehicle accident could cause someone to develop chronic headaches. Impact to the head, neck, or back and damage muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This damage could result in excess stress on the muscles and nerves that run through the head. This can lead to chronic headaches. Depending on the type of headache, the treatment is going to vary. Some of the treatment options include:
- Tension Headaches: Tension headaches results from stress on the muscles of the scalp. This produces the squeezing sensation that many people are familiar with. The treatment of tension headaches involves anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol and Motrin. Excessive tension headaches can be treated with muscle relaxants; however, these medications are also sedating.
- Migraine Headaches: While the exact cause behind migraine headaches is still unclear, there are several treatment options. In many cases, the first treatment option for migraine headache is the anti-inflammatory medications mentioned above. Also, antinausea medications such as Zofran might also be helpful. Furthermore, there are some medications designed specifically for migraine headaches. These include triptan medications such as sumatriptan.
- Cluster Headaches: The vast majority of cluster headaches are treated with submental oxygen. This can be provided in most doctor’s offices or in the emergency room if necessary.
While these abortive medications are fine, it would also be helpful to be able to prevent these headaches. Some medications and strategies can be useful in stopping these headaches from occurring.
Watch YouTube Video: A Treatment for Every Headache. This video shows how Dr. Mark Green and his team at Mount Sinai Health System have tailored a treatment plan for every patient suffering from chronic headaches.
Headache Prevention
The prevention strategies for these headaches vary with the type. Some of the headache prevention strategies include:
- Tension Headaches: To prevent tension headaches, the muscles of the scalp needs to remain relaxed. Often, following an auto accident, the muscles of the scalp are strained due to a neck or back injury. Treatment of these injuries will relieve the stress on the scalp, easing the tension headaches. Massage and physical therapy can be helpful to address these injuries.
- Migraine Headaches: Some medications have shown the ability to prevent migraine headaches. Medication such as beta blockers, valproic acid, and topiramate have shown some promise in migraine prevention. These medications will not work for everyone. They should only be taken under the direction of a doctor.
- Cluster Headaches: Calcium channel blockers are the first line medication in the prevention of cluster headaches.
Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer
Recurrent chronic headaches can have a debilitating impact on the quality of life for not only the individual but also other family members and friends. Because of this, families need to remember to ask for help. Discussing the situation with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento is a great first step. A trained injury attorney can help a family during the recovery process. No family should have to face this difficult situation alone. Contact a Sacramento personal injury lawyer today. You and your family could be owed a financial award.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. Chronic headaches can have a severe impact on someone’s quality of life. If you or a family member has suffered from recurrent headaches following a motor vehicle accident, please give me a call at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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