Find a Headache Doctor Near Me: Expert Care at UPMC

Headache pain can significantly disrupt your daily life. If you’re one of the many people experiencing headaches, you’re not alone. Around 90% of individuals in the United States suffer from headaches at some point, with 15% experiencing severe headaches annually. Headaches can affect anyone at any age, and for some, they can unfortunately worsen over time. The pain can manifest in various parts of the head or face, making headaches the most prevalent type of pain, sometimes lasting for hours or even days. In the U.S. alone, approximately 42 million people are living with headache disorders, including migraines.

If you’re searching for effective relief and wondering how to get rid of a headache or find a Headache Doctor Near Me, the specialists at the UPMC Headache Center are here to help. Our dedicated headache specialists are committed to assisting you in managing your headache pain and associated symptoms, improving your quality of life.

Find a neurologist board-certified in headache medicine.

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Types of Headaches Treated by Our Headache Doctors

At UPMC, our headache doctors possess extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of headache types. Whether you’re experiencing a persistent tension headache, debilitating migraines, or excruciating cluster headaches, our specialists are equipped to provide comprehensive care. We understand that each type of headache presents unique challenges and requires a tailored approach.

We commonly treat primary headaches, which are not caused by underlying health conditions. These include:

Migraine headaches Migraines are characterized by intense throbbing pain, typically on one or both sides of the head. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, migraine attacks can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, significantly impacting daily activities.

Cluster headaches Cluster headaches are known for their severe, piercing pain concentrated around the eye or on one side of the head. These headaches occur in clusters, with attacks often striking at night and capable of lasting from 15 minutes to 3 hours, causing significant disruption and pain.

Tension headaches Tension headaches manifest as a dull, aching pain that can affect both sides of the head, or as stiffness in the neck and back of the head. The pain is usually mild to moderate, described as steady and non-throbbing, and typically without nausea or sensitivity to light, making them a common yet disruptive headache type.

Sinus headaches Sinus headaches are associated with pain, pressure, and congestion in the sinus areas, including around the nose, cheeks, and forehead. Frequently linked to sinus infections, they may be accompanied by symptoms like yellow or green nasal discharge and fever, indicating an underlying sinus issue.

When to Seek Help from a Headache Specialist Near You

While occasional headaches are common, certain symptoms and situations warrant seeking professional medical advice from a headache doctor. It’s important to recognize when your headache might be signaling a more serious underlying issue.

Consult a headache doctor near me if you experience any of the following:

Head injury preceding the headache.
Severe headache pain that is unlike your usual headaches.
Pain localized around your eye or ear.
Headaches accompanied by nausea, vomiting, tingling, or numbness.
Headaches that interfere with your daily life and activities.
Worsening symptoms after an initial period of improvement.
Headache accompanied by convulsions or a stiff neck.
Confusion or changes in mental state.
New onset of frequent headaches, especially if you didn’t experience them before.
Fever lasting longer than 3 to 4 days in conjunction with headaches.
Headache symptoms that do not improve after 10 days.
Recurring sinus infections (several in a year) alongside headaches.

Advanced Headache Treatments and Procedures at UPMC

The UPMC Headache Center is at the forefront of headache treatment, offering a range of innovative and effective therapies. We provide:

Cutting-edge prescription medications, including the latest advancements in headache medicine.
Innovative injectable treatments and therapies designed to target different types of headaches.
Strategies and tools for managing severe headache pain effectively, no matter where you are.

Your headache doctor at UPMC will conduct a thorough evaluation and recommend a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and headache type. Treatment options may include:

Lifestyle and nutrition changes Our headache clinic adopts a holistic, whole-person approach to headache management. We emphasize lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, and the use of supplements as headache remedies. Our specialists collaborate with you to create a personalized plan based on your unique symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, aiming for long-term headache relief.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for headaches If over-the-counter pain medications are no longer providing relief, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications work to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with various headache types.

Migraine drugs UPMC neurologists are actively involved in researching and implementing the newest advancements in prescription migraine medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications to either stop a migraine in progress, prevent future migraines, or both. Anti-nausea medications may also be prescribed to manage associated symptoms. Some medications initially developed for other conditions, such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, and antiepileptics, have also proven effective in migraine management.

Specific migraine medicine options to stop or prevent headache pain include:

Triptans: These drugs work by balancing brain chemicals and blocking pain pathways in the brainstem. They are available in various forms, including tablets, nasal sprays, and injections.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists: These newer medications reduce pain by targeting and deactivating CGRP, an inflammation-causing compound in the brain. They are effective for both acute migraine treatment and prevention.

For migraine prevention, your doctor might suggest:

CGRP monoclonal antibodies: This class of drugs is designed to prevent migraines and treat cluster headaches by blocking CGRP from triggering inflammation and pain signals.
BOTOX® injections: FDA-approved for chronic migraine treatment since 2010, Botox injections can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Primarily used for chronic migraines occurring more than 15 days a month, the treatment involves a series of injections administered with a fine needle, mainly in the scalp, every three months.

Nerve blocks to treat headaches Nerve blocks aim to alleviate headache pain by blocking pain signals originating from the nerves in the head and neck. Pericranial nerve blocks, targeting the main branches of pericranial nerves in the scalp, are effective for migraine and cluster headaches. While nerve blocks are often administered as needed, some patients may receive them regularly, such as every three months, as a less invasive, quick, and safe treatment option.

Trigger point shots to treat headaches Trigger point injections are used to treat headache pain stemming from muscle tension, including migraine, cluster, and tension headaches. At UPMC, doctors personalize trigger point injections by tailoring the dosage and injection site to your specific pain pattern. The injections typically include an anesthetic to numb the pain, and sometimes corticosteroids are added. Often, the same solution used in nerve blocks is utilized, allowing for both treatments during a single visit if appropriate.

Cycle breakers to treat headache pain For persistent, unrelenting headaches that last for days, cycle breaker medications can provide relief. Your doctor can prescribe various cycle breaker drugs to interrupt the headache cycle, helping you avoid emergency room visits and regain control.

Oxygen therapy for cluster headaches Oxygen therapy, involving an oxygen tank and face mask for home use, can effectively relieve cluster headache pain. Inhaling pure oxygen rapidly reduces blood flow to the brain, quickly alleviating cluster headache symptoms. At the UPMC Headache Center, oxygen therapy may be combined with a sumatriptan injection for enhanced and rapid pain relief.

Why Choose UPMC for Your Headache Treatment?

Choosing UPMC Headache Center means opting for unparalleled expertise and patient-centered care. Here’s why UPMC stands out as a leading destination for headache treatment:

We provide diagnosis and treatment for headaches to nearly 1,200 individuals every month, demonstrating our extensive experience and high patient volume.
Our neurologists are board-certified in headache medicine, signifying specialized and advanced training in this subspecialty.
UPMC Headache Center is recognized as one of the largest headache specialty programs in the United States, offering comprehensive and cutting-edge care.
We are committed to advancing the field of headache medicine through our accredited residency and fellowship programs, training the next generation of headache specialists.
Our physicians are actively involved in National Institutes of Health-funded research, ensuring our patients benefit from the latest breakthroughs and advancements in headache treatment.
At UPMC, we prioritize listening to, supporting, and alleviating your pain, enabling you to return to the activities and people you love.