Headache

Overview

There are many different types of headache, each varying in the degree and type of pain they cause, their location and the frequency with which they occur. While typical headaches may not be serious, others can be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Headaches are very common and most of us will experience them throughout our lives. A tension headache is the most common type of headache, and symptoms usually include pain in the head or face. More serious types of headaches include cluster headaches, sinus headaches or migraine headaches, all of which can cause debilitating symptoms.

At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, our team of headache specialists provide multidisciplinary care for people affected by headaches. Our aim is to encourage patients to seek an accurate, early diagnosis and specialized care instead of relying on self-diagnosis and treatment or medication overuse.

What We Treat

There are two main types of headache: primary headaches and secondary headaches.

Primary headaches

These are not a symptom of an underlying condition and are caused by an over-activity of pain-sensitive features within the head. Types of primary headaches include:

Tension headaches
Cluster headaches
New daily persistent headaches (NDPH)
Migraine headaches
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN)
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)

Primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors such as nicotine, certain foods, lack of sleep, hunger, physical activity or posture. They aren’t usually dangerous but can interrupt daily life.

Secondary headaches

Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying condition. Some types can be resolved once the condition is addressed, such as:

Sinus headache
Dehydration headache
Headache from medication overuse.

Other types of secondary headache may be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as:

Thunderclap headache: An intensely painful headache that can sometimes be a sign of a head injury, bleed on the brain or a sudden rise in blood pressure. Always seek medical attention if you experience a sudden severe headache that reaches maximum intensity within one minute and lasts for more than five minutes.
Spinal headache: Caused by a leak in spinal fluid, usually after a lumbar puncture, these can cause severe complications if left untreated.

Diagnosis of Headache

It is important to accurately diagnose the type of headache so the most appropriate therapies can be prescribed. Our specialists will conduct a physical exam, a thorough assessment of your symptoms and medical history. They will ask about the onset of symptoms, frequency and duration of headaches, as well as lifestyle factors. They will also ask about previous treatment regimens and current and past medications. It is also important to try and identify any triggers that may be causing headaches.

Physical and neurological exams can identify signs of underlying conditions that may be causing headaches. Imaging tests may be needed to rule out other conditions.

Treatment of Headache

Headache treatment depends on the type. A crucial part of treating primary headaches is understanding triggers – once these are understood, our specialists can tailor treatment accordingly.

Medication isn’t always needed to treat headaches. Other treatments may include stress management, biofeedback (recognizing when tension in the body is increasing and learning how to reduce it), and treating underlying medical conditions.

We are one of only a handful of centers in the UAE to offer venous sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a complex procedure that requires highly advanced neurointerventional specialists. Performed by our neuro-interventional team, this specialized endovascular procedure widens narrowed dural sinuses to lower intracranial pressure.

We also offer sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks , an established treatment for cluster headache and selected migraine cases, so their role is clinically relevant and should be reflected.