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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Headaches?

Is there any connection between history of immune system disorder (overactive immune system) and either migraine or cluster headaches that don t respond to typical preventative treatments by neurologists? My son, now age 25, has daily, frequently very severe headaches. He s been treated by pain specialists and neurologists with various preventatives (beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, amitriptyline, carbamazapine, topiramate, BOTOX injections on head, occipital nerve block) to no real effect. MRI of brain shows no significant abnormality now, though he had type 1 chiari as a child, no longer apparent (possibly atrophied). As a child, he was diagnosed with periodic fever with aphthous ulcer syndrome , was hospitalized twice for several days each due to severity, was studied by UCLA trying to understand causes, and was treated effectively only by prednisone. During outbreaks, his various measures of inflammation was very high. We were told his immune system was overactive and causing the sores. Is it possible that the headaches are some kind of manifestation of his immune system attacking the nerves that cause the pain? We have tried seemingly everything.
posted on Sun, 23 Jul 2017
Twitter Fri, 1 Dec 2017 Answered on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
What causes headaches?

Migraine headache is caused by inflammation or irritation of structures that surround the brain or affect its function. While the brain itself has no pain nerve fibers, everything else above the shoulders, from the neck, skull, and face, can cause a person to have of head pain. Systemic illnesses, including infection or dehydration, can have associated headache. These are known as toxic headache. Changes in circulation and blood flow or trauma can also cause headache.

Changes in brain chemistry may also be associated with headache: medication reactions, drug abuse and drug withdrawal can all cause pain.

Every person is different so the history of the headache is important. Recognizing patterns or precipitating (foods eaten, stress, etc.) factors, in combination with the physical examination and associated symptoms, can help identify the cause for each individual's specific headache.


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What Causes Severe Headaches?

What causes headaches? Migraine headache is caused by inflammation or irritation of structures that surround the brain or affect its function. While the brain itself has no pain nerve fibers, everything else above the shoulders, from the neck, skull, and face, can cause a person to have of head pain. Systemic illnesses, including infection or dehydration, can have associated headache. These are known as toxic headache. Changes in circulation and blood flow or trauma can also cause headache. Changes in brain chemistry may also be associated with headache: medication reactions, drug abuse and drug withdrawal can all cause pain. Every person is different so the history of the headache is important. Recognizing patterns or precipitating (foods eaten, stress, etc.) factors, in combination with the physical examination and associated symptoms, can help identify the cause for each individual s specific headache. I hope you happy with information kindly rate it. thank you.