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Is There Any Relation Between Headache And Disc Problems?
Question: My 27 yr old son has had headaches daily for the past month. Headaches are frontal and in the temporal area (both sides of his head). The headaches are very resistant to anything he has taken for them, so he suffers for days with these headaches. He had a CT of the head, which did not show a bleed, blood clot or tumor. Imitrex does not work for his headaches, ibuprofen, aleve, aspirin, vicodin also does not relieve the headaches. He was thought to have cluster headaches, but nothing relieves these headaches. He has been under a lot of stress, but I am wondering if his headaches may be related to a disc problem or allergies. Or, meningitis....but he has no stiff neck problem, no nausea/vomiting. His roommate was quite ill with some sort of flu about a month ago.
Brief Answer:
In that case a MRI Brain would be needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
To rule out possibilities of disc problem and meningitis two investigations would be needed.MRI brain and CSF analysis are more definite investigations for this.CT scan can miss meningitis in significant number of cases.
Still with his symptoms I am more in favor of cluster headaches.Dedicated cluster /tension type headache can also be considered.I would strongly recommend a clinical evaluation by neurologist. Doctor will help you decide to consider investigation for meningitis or give try to dedicated treatment first.
Hope this helps.Please ask if there are doubts.Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Few options are as follows.
Detailed Answer:
During the onset of a cluster headache, some people respond to inhalation of 100% oxygen.
Topical anesthetics sprayed into the nasal cavity may relieve or stop the pain, normally in a few minutes, but long term use is not suggested due to the side effects and possible damage to the nasal cavities.
Ergot compounds like cafergot have also been effectively used.
Other abortive remedies that work for some include ice, hot showers, cool or lukewarmwater sprayed on the face around the sinus, temple, and ear areas, breathing cold air, application of analgesic balm beneath the nostrils, caffeine, and drinking large amounts of water in the early stages of an attack. Vigorous exercise has been shown in some cases to be very effective in relieving and aborting an acute attack by increasing the levels of oxygen within the body.
Avoid triggers like deprivation of sleep, smoking , alcohol ,bright light , inhalation of strong chemicals etc.
Prophylactic treatment include calcium channel blocker ,Steroids,magnesium sulfate.
Normally with some trial and error both doctor and patient reach most effective treatment in a individual case .
Hope this helps.Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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