WNKY News 40 Health Report: Managing Headaches

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s one of the most common health complaints…headaches. And of those headaches, migraines are the most prevalent type.

Dr. Eme Igbokwe, a neurologist with Graves Gilbert Clinic and The Medical Center at Bowling Green, treats patients with headaches regularly.

He says migraines affect about 17% of the United States population, and most of those affected are women.

Dr. Igbokwe also says there are warning signs you should be aware of.

Signs such as severe pain, a “thunderclap” headache that comes on suddenly with the “worst pain ever,” a headache accompanied by a fever or if you pass out while you have a headache, those are signs you need to get to the nearest emergency department since those could be signs of a serious medical problem such as a stroke or infection.

And, if your headache isn’t serious, you may try to treat it at home.

First, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Focus on prevention — your diet could bring on a headache.

Foods such as cheese, chocolates, coffee and soft drinks are known triggers for headaches.

And, even though you may reach of the bottle of over the counter pain reliever, Dr. Igbokwe says using too many pain relievers can trigger a headache — it’s known as a rebound headache.

Dr. Igbokwe suggests seeing your doctor if you experience headaches more than normal or if simple at-home treatment isn’t working.