Headache or Migraine

Dave Clarke, MD

“Headache specialists classify headaches into two categories: primary and secondary.

Secondary headaches occur due to an identifiable cause, such as a brain tumor, infection, inflammatory condition, or issues with sinuses or dental health. These underlying conditions require medical treatment.

Primary headaches, on the other hand, have no identifiable cause following a routine medical evaluation.

Migraines fall into this category and are characterized by varying intensity, often accompanied by nausea, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Sometimes, migraines are preceded by warning symptoms.

Common triggers include hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks (including alcohol), lack of sleep, stress, and exercise.

In primary headaches, including migraines, it is likely that the brain plays a role in generating or contributing to the symptoms.”

  • Why would the brain do this? Nearly always, one or more types of stress is involved even if this is not fully recognized at first.

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  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    Experiences that would make you sad or angry if they happened to a child for whom you care.

  • Stressful Personality Traits

    Such as focusing too much on the needs of others, excessive self-criticism, perfectionism, lack of assertiveness, and many others.

  • Unrecognized Negative Emotions

    Such as anger, fear, shame, grief, or guilt.

  • Triggers

    Including people, situations, or events that remind you of stressful situations.

  • Current Life Stresses

    Such as work, parenting, pressure from loved ones, or major life changes.

  • Mental Health Challenges

    Such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress.

The good news is that all these sources of stress can be successfully diagnosed and treated.

To explore whether this applies to you, take the self-diagnostic quiz below. It consists of 12 simple 'Yes or No' questions. The more 'Yes' answers you provide, the more likely it is that the resources on this website can help.