Headaches are a common health problem that we see regularly in our patients. They can be both a symptom of an underlying health condition and a health condition in their own right. Although most headaches are temporary and do not cause serious concern, some can be more severe and require medical attention. If you’re experiencing a painful headache, don’t hesitate to visit us at urgent care for diagnosis and treatment.

What Are Headaches?

Broadly speaking, headaches describe the pain you feel in various areas of your head. Depending on the type of headache, the pain may be sharp, throbbing, or more of a dull ache. Headaches are extremely common and can often be treated at home; however, some headaches should be treated by a doctor at your nearest urgent care center.

What Are the Types of Headache?

There are two broad categories of headaches: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Primary headaches describe pain not caused by an underlying medical condition and include tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cluster headaches.

Secondary headaches appear as a symptom of an underlying medical problem. Some examples include dehydration headaches, spinal headaches, and thunderclap headaches.

What Causes Headaches?

Headaches may have various causes, including genetics, chronic illness, and lifestyle factors. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain nitrate-rich foods can cause headaches, as can physical exercise and poor posture. Sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, laughing, or crying vigorously can cause a headache!

Stress, skipping meals, or not sleeping enough can also cause headaches. Eating regularly, making time for self-care, and getting enough sleep each night are easy ways to help prevent them.

Head injuries may also cause headaches, which should always be assessed and treated at your urgent care center.

Most Common Types of Headache

Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are rarely a cause for serious concern.

Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches typically occur with piercing or burning pain around or behind one eye or side of the face. You may notice redness, flushing, swelling, or sweating on the side of the face affected by the headache. You may also feel congested or tear up on the same side of your face as the headache.

Cluster headache pain occurs in a recurring series (or “cluster”), with multiple headaches happening one after another. During an episode, you may experience headaches up to eight times per day. It’s unclear what causes cluster headaches, but they can be managed with medication prescribed by your doctor.

Post-Traumatic Headache
Headaches also happen as the result of head injuries, most commonly concussions. Concussions usually happen as a result of falls and sports injuries. They can also be accompanied by a temporary loss of consciousness, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, confusion, and dizziness.

If you’ve hit your head and are experiencing a headache, you should seek immediate medical attention. Visit your nearest urgent care center or the emergency department for assessment and treatment.

Home Remedies for Headaches
A typical headache usually doesn’t require medical care and can be treated at home. It’s generally safe to take over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin according to the directions on the label.

In addition to medication, headaches may be eased using relaxation techniques like deep breathing, gentle stretches, and massage. Be sure to drink plenty of water, as dehydration can worsen your headache.

What’s the Difference Between Headaches and Migraines?

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that causes a variety of symptoms, one of which is a throbbing headache that’s usually more intense than a typical tension headache. However, migraine sufferers also experience other symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting, auras, temporary vision loss, temporary weakness or numbness in the face or body, and difficulty speaking.

For these reasons, migraines are usually considered more severe than regular headaches. If you regularly have migraine symptoms, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician or at our urgent care center. There are medications we can prescribe to significantly reduce your pain and also prevent migraines before they occur. We can also perform an exam to ensure your migraine is not linked to other medical conditions.

When Should I Visit Urgent Care for My Headache?

While most headaches are relatively harmless, they can be a warning sign of a more serious health concern. Anytime your headache interferes with your ability to carry out daily activities, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. At Lincoln Urgent Care and Granite Bay Urgent Care, we have the expertise and equipment to treat your headache and diagnose underlying health conditions.

Also, if you experience confusion, difficulty walking or talking, numbness, stiff neck, vomiting, weakness, or a high fever, you should visit us at urgent care as soon as possible.

When Should I Visit the Emergency Department?

In rare cases, headaches can be a symptom of a medical emergency, such as a stroke or a brain aneurysm. If your headache is the worst pain you’ve ever experienced, this is a medical emergency, and you or someone near you should call 911. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital.

Receive High-Quality Care at Lincoln and Granite Bay Urgent Care

You deserve the best care possible if you’re suffering from a headache. At Lincoln Urgent Care and Granite Bay Urgent Care, we’re committed to providing the highest standard of care possible at a price you can afford. Visiting our clinic can save you thousands of dollars on an unnecessary ER visit, and we offer a variety of routine medical services in addition to our urgent care service. Contact our staff to schedule an appointment or walk into our clinic today for immediate assessment and care!

Lincoln Urgent Care (916) 258-2751
Granite Bay Urgent Care (916) 570-7265