Headaches

Headaches can range from mild to severe, and come in many different forms. If you have a severe headache, or one that lasts for more than a few hours, it is probably worth a visit to your local FastMed to determine the cause.

Although most headaches are little more than a nuisance, others can signal something far more serious. Get the diagnosis and care you need, to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Your neighborhood FastMed is open extended hours on weekdays, weekends, and holidays for non-emergency health concerns such as these.

Do not let your headache stand between you and the things you want to do. Get headache care quickly, conveniently, and affordably from the qualified professionals at FastMed. No appointment is necessary, and you can check in online for a shorter wait time.

Different types of headaches

Since there are many different types of headaches, it will be helpful to let your FastMed provider know as much as possible about the type of pain you are experiencing. This will enable us to quickly and accurately diagnose the type of headache and prescribe the proper treatment.

Some of the more common types of headaches include:

Tension headaches: You will feel tension headaches broadly across your head or neck. These are generally related to stress or muscle tightness. Tension headaches are very common.

Sinus headaches: These affect you in the face area, often behind your eyes or around your nose. You may feel a throbbing sensation in your cheeks and teeth, or pounding in your ears. If you are prone to sinus headaches, you can make lifestyle changes to help you avoid episodes.

Migraines: You will most likely feel a migraine on one side of your head. During an episode, you may be sensitive to light and sound. A number of factors can bring about a migraine. Sometimes, they’re hereditary. It is important to discuss migraine medication and treatment with a medical professional.

Cluster headaches: The most painful of the types of headache, a cluster headache, may wake you in the middle of the night with a shooting pain behind one eye. These may be seasonally related. If you experience one, however, you should seek a professional opinion immediately.

Although it is always best to err on the side of caution, there are certain types of headaches that warrant an immediate visit with a medical professional. These include headaches that come on suddenly, or are more severe and debilitating than normal.

See your FastMed practitioner or another qualified healthcare practitioner immediately if you experience a headache accompanied by any of the following symptoms. As always, if you are experiencing severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

•    Confusion
•    Fainting
•    High fever
•    Numbness
•    Stiff neck
•    Blurred vision
•    Slurred speech
•    Nausea or vomiting

What causes headaches?

Your headache could be caused by any number of things. You may get a headache from not getting enough sleep, staying in the sun too long, from the foods you eat, or from stress you are experiencing. Headaches may also accompany caffeine withdrawal and can be a side effect of certain medications.

Often, headaches are seasonal and result from the corresponding seasonal changes in your habits, such as sleep patterns. In other cases, a headache may accompany injuries or illnesses, including a blow to the head, meningitis, or the flu. Even weather changes or changes in air pressure can trigger a headache.

Why do we get headaches?

Just as we experience the popping of our ears on an airplane, subtle shifts in air pressure can take place inside your head. Certain individuals are more susceptible to these changes than others.

A headache is the body’s response to these changes. Your muscles may tighten and blood vessels may swell, affecting the nerves surrounding them. The nerves then send a pain message to your brain to let it know something is wrong.

How to get rid of a headache

Headache remedies are as varied as headache causes. Many types of headaches can be managed simply by getting enough sleep. Other headaches respond well to diet and exercise changes.

You may want to consider keeping a headache journal to track what triggers your headaches. This can help your FastMed practitioner recommend appropriate measures to treat, or even prevent, the headaches from occurring.

Where to find headache relief

Your FastMed professionals are available every day of the week, including holidays, to provide the headache care you need. In fact, we’re open early and stay open late. No appointment is necessary, although you can check in online first to shorten your wait time, if you like.

FastMed provides quick, affordable care for all types of headaches. We will provide the care you need, without the long wait for a doctor’s appointment or hours spent in the hospital ER.