Services Neurology Headaches/Migraines

Headaches/Migraines

Hattiesburg Clinic offers comprehensive neurologic care for people of all ages who experience recurring or difficult-to-manage headaches and migraines.

Headaches/Migraines Overview

Headaches are common symptoms that can have many different causes. A headache may occur on its own or as a symptom of another illness, injury or health condition. A migraine is a neurologic disorder that causes recurring episodes of moderate to severe headache and may also cause symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.

Headaches and migraines can affect children, teens and adults. Symptoms, triggers, frequency and severity vary from person to person. Frequent, severe or changing headaches may require evaluation to determine the cause and identify an appropriate treatment approach.

Headache vs. Migraine: What Is the Difference?
Symptoms of Headaches and Migraines
Causes of Headaches and Migraines
Migraine Treatment
When Should You See a Neurologist for Headaches?
Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Headache vs. Migraine: What Is the Difference?

What Is a Headache?

A headache is a symptom rather than a single condition. Headaches can feel different depending on the type and cause.

Headaches may also occur because of another illness, infection, injury, medication or health condition. The pattern, location and severity of the pain can provide important information when determining the possible cause.

What Is a Migraine?

Migraine is a neurologic disorder that can cause recurring episodes of moderate to severe headache along with other symptoms. Migraine pain may be throbbing or pulsating and may occur on one or both sides of the head.

Symptoms of Headaches and Migraines

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of headache or migraine and the person experiencing it.

Common Headache Symptoms

Pressure, tightness or aching
Pain on one or both sides of the head
Pain in the forehead, temples, back of the head or around the eyes
Mild to severe pain
Neck or scalp discomfort with some types of headaches

Common Migraine Symptoms

Moderate to severe headache
Throbbing or pulsating pain
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to sound
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating

Migraine With Aura

Some people experience an aura before or during a migraine. Temporary neurologic symptoms may include:

Visual changes
Flashes or spots
Tingling or numbness
Difficulty speaking
Other temporary neurologic symptoms

Causes of Headaches and Migraines

Headaches can have many different causes, while migraines may occur in response to certain triggers. Identifying patterns can help when evaluating recurring headaches or migraines.

Common Causes of Headaches

Illness or infection
Dehydration
Medication overuse
Head or neck injury
Vision problems
Other medical or neurologic conditions

Common Migraine Triggers

Stress
Changes in sleep
Skipping meals
Dehydration
Hormonal changes
Certain foods or beverages
Bright lights or loud sounds
Weather changes
Strong odors
Physical exertion

Triggers vary from person to person, and not every person with migraine will have the same triggers.

Migraine Treatment

Treatment for migraines depends on the frequency and severity of symptoms, the person’s age and medical history and other individual factors. Treatment may include:

Lifestyle Modifications: Changes related to sleep, hydration, meals and other factors that may contribute to migraine symptoms
Preventive Therapy: Treatment intended to reduce the frequency or severity of migraines
Prescription Migraine Medications: Medications used to treat migraine attacks or prevent future episodes
Medications for Nausea or Other Symptoms: Treatment to help manage symptoms that occur with migraines

When Should You See a Neurologist for Headaches?

A neurologic evaluation may be appropriate for people who experience:

Frequent headaches or migraines
Headaches that interfere with school, work or daily activities
Headaches that are becoming more frequent or severe
Headaches that are not responding to treatment
Recurrent headaches in children or teens
Headaches accompanied by neurologic symptoms
Frequent use of headache medication
A significant change in an established headache pattern

Why Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Hattiesburg Clinic’s neurologists have experience evaluating and treating a wide range of headache and migraine disorders in people of all ages. Patients have access to both adult and pediatric neurology, allowing care to be tailored to the needs of each patient and their stage of life. From identifying patterns and potential triggers to developing a treatment plan and monitoring symptoms over time, Hattiesburg Clinic provides ongoing neurologic care for recurring and difficult-to-manage headaches and migraines.