Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines can strike anytime, often causing intense pain and making it hard to focus. At Twin Ports Telemedicine based in Duluth, Minnesota, board-certified advanced family nurse practitioner Nikki Shockley, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, provides telehealth and home visits for headaches and migraines. If you suffer from headaches or migraines, seek treatment right away. Call Twin Ports Telemedicine today to schedule a telehealth or home visit, or book your appointment online.

Are headaches and migraines the same?

Headaches and migraines share similarities, but they aren’t the same:

Headaches

Headaches are common and cause acute head and/or face pain. They can be caused by various things, including dehydration, stress, and poor posture. Most people experience several headaches every year. They typically improve with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication.

Migraines

A migraine is a neurological disorder. It can cause intense pulsing or throbbing pain on one side of your head. Migraines can last for hours, sometimes days. Anyone can experience them, but they’re most common in women.

What types of headaches are there?

Headaches fall into one of two classes:

Primary headaches

These headaches aren’t caused by an underlying health problem. They develop due to overactivity of the brain’s pain-reception areas.

Some people are genetically more susceptible to primary headaches. Cluster headaches, tension headaches, and migraines are all examples of primary headaches.

Secondary headaches

These headaches are caused by an underlying health problem, like a sinus infection or dehydration. Treating the underlying cause of a secondary headache typically provides relief.

How are headaches and migraines diagnosed?

Nikki diagnoses headaches and migraines during a telehealth appointment or an at-home visit. She reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including what the headaches feel like, when they happen, and if things like poor sleep seem to make them worse.

Next, Nikki asks about your lifestyle, including your sleep habits, how much caffeine you drink daily, and whether you’re stressed. Answer her questions honestly; they provide key insights into what’s causing your headaches and how severe they are.

Most mild headaches can be diagnosed during a telehealth appointment. But if Nikki suspects a more serious health concern, she’ll refer you to a nearby clinic for neurological tests and a physical exam.

How are headaches and migraines treated?

Nikki takes a conservative/integrative approach to treating headaches and migraines. She could suggest:

• Stress management (for example, yoga or breathing exercises)
• Biofeedback
• Prescription pain medicine
• Prescription headache or migraine medication
• Healthy lifestyle changes (for example, drinking more water)

If an underlying health problem, like congested sinuses, causes your headaches, Nikki makes personalized treatment recommendations for lasting relief.

Call Twin Ports Telemedicine today to schedule treatment for headaches and migraines, or book your visit online.