Types of Headaches

In Virginia Beach, VA

Millions of Americans suffer from debilitating headaches every year. For some people, headaches occur sporadically and can be tolerated or treated with over-the-counter medication. But for others headaches recur on a regular basis, and it is crucial to determine the cause of headaches to reduce their frequency or prevent their recurrence altogether.

The primary types of headaches are:

• Migraine headaches – characterized by throbbing pain in one particular part of the head along with nausea, visual disturbances, and sensitivity to sound and light
• Tension headaches – characterized by tight pressure around the head, throbbing temples, and difficulties concentrating
• Cluster headaches – characterized by severe pain behind or above one eye

Treatment for headaches often includes prescription and over-the-counter analgesics. While these may be effective in reducing pain, they fail to treat the underlying causes. Often people who experience serious headaches find them to be a chronic, lifelong problem.

Treating Headaches

Lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on headaches. Avoiding triggers like smoking and alcohol, along with drinking water and getting plenty of rest and exercise are all ways to reduce instances of headaches. However, like medications, these are often inadequate to truly treat the problem.

Tension headaches and even migraine headaches can be caused or triggered by temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD is a disorder of the joints in your jaw that results in misalignment. This misalignment can cause increased tension and overuse of muscles within your jaw, leading to a host of disorders in addition to headaches.

Dr. Folck has received special training in neuromuscular dentistry and has successfully treated several patients suffering from TMD. Using a TENS unit to relax the muscles in your jaw, Dr. Folck can determine your appropriate bite and create an individualized treatment option to correct your TMD.

Often times, treatment is as simple as an orthotic (dental splint) to be worn at night. Some patients may require more involved procedures like restorative dental work to fully correct their bite. No matter the case, Dr. Folck can help you correct your TMD, and control the pain associated with this disorder.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are suffering from chronic headaches, please contact Dr. Michael P. Folck today to schedule a TMD evaluation.