Murray neurologist Dr. Chris King says roughly 4% of Americans suffer from at least 15 headache days per month, with each occurrence lasting four hours or more. He says there are 60 different types of headaches, grouped into certain categories based on presentation. He speaks with Tracy Ross on Sounds Good about the different types of severe headaches ahead of a community forum on migraines next week at Murray State University.
The typical migraine is one-sided and usually felt behind one eye, and it includes a stabbing pain. Nausea and vomiting are often associated with migraines, and Dr. King says light and sound sensitivity are prevalent too.
As for cluster headaches, Dr. King says they can regularly occur for days, weeks or even months. He’s seen patients with clusters that last for months at a time, followed by a headache-free five years before returning. They’re often associated with redness and tearing on one side of the face.
Dr. King says migraines can be chronic; patients are described as having 4-5 headaches per month that last more than four hours.
He says migraines are 3-to-1 more common in women than men, and they can be hormonal. Around 60-80 percent of women have menstrual migraines, and that can be a common trigger. Other causes include MSG, along with chocolate, red wine, changes in barometric pressure (e.g. weather), certain smells and fluorescent lights.
Dr. King says he advises patients to assemble a headache calendar to help determine triggers.
The forum will focus on migraines along with treatments. It’s scheduled for March 3 in the Barkley Room at Murray State University’s Curris Center.
