Headache Diagnosis and Treatment

In Virginia Beach, VA

The causes of headaches are widely varied, and may include things like emotional and physical stress, allergies, food sensitivities, and even altitude changes. When you suffer from frequent, painful headaches, these causes will all need to be eliminated during your diagnosis to find an appropriate treatment.

A frequent cause of headaches is TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. If this is the root cause of your headaches, neuromuscular dentist Dr. Michael P. Folck can diagnose and treat the disorder to reduce the frequency, duration, and pain associated with chronic headaches.

Diagnosing Headaches

The two types of headaches that can be caused by TMD are migraine and tension headaches. In both cases, Dr. Folck will need a full medical history as well as information about the headache itself. He will need to know the common locations of your headache, and how long your headaches usually last. He will also need to know what symptoms you suffer in addition to your headache. For example, migraine headaches can cause nausea, vision disorders, and sensitivity to light and sound. Tension headaches can interfere with your normal thought process and cause dizziness. Identifying what type of headache you have is essential to proper diagnosis.

Once the type of headache is identified, Dr. Folck can inspect the structure of your jaw and the alignment of your bite. This can be done both manually and with the help of a TENS unit that allows the muscles in your jaw to relax. If your bite is misaligned, it is highly possible that your headaches are caused by dental issues.

Treating Headaches

To treat headaches caused by dental issues, Dr. Folck may perform restorative dental work to correct your bite. He may also fit you with a customized orthotic (sometimes called an oral splint) that can help your jaw relax, and realign your teeth while you sleep. Other options include orthodontic solutions like Invisalign to gently move your teeth back into their optimal position.

Unlike medications that only dull the pain, dental procedures correct the underlying problems that cause headaches. Through these treatments, many patients find they no longer suffer from painful, frequent headaches.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and suffer from frequent, painful headaches, please contact Dr. Michael P. Folck today to schedule an initial evaluation.