Treatment for Hemicrania Continua in LA
Hemicrania Continua is a rare and severe type of headache. It affects one side of the face or head and is more prevalent in women. Doctors don’t know the cause of the continuous headache but there are treatments that can provide complete relief from pain.
Hemicrania continua is a primary condition i.e. it is a standalone problem without an underlying cause. The pain usually ranges from mild to moderate and can spike in intensity anywhere from 20 minutes to several days.
In most cases, the condition starts from adulthood but can also develop during the early years, according to The Migraine Trust.
The pain of hemicrania continua is described as a dull throb or ache that spikes into sharp, stabbing, or jolting pain a few times each day. There is no time limit to how long the pain persists. In some cases, the pain lasts for a couple or months or even years with remission periods lasting for a few months.
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose hemicrania continua since the condition shares similar symptoms with other types of headaches including migraines and cluster headaches. The symptoms include nausea or vomiting, throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, drooping eyelids, sweating, a runny or stuffy nose.
Triggers known to worsen the symptoms include stress, bright lights, too much exercise, alcohol, fatigue, and shifts in the sleeping pattern.
The primary treatment for hemicrania continua is a medication called indomethacin. It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and works similar to ibuprofen and naproxen. Patients that are not able to withstand the drug’s side effects are prescribed alternative medications such as amitriptyline, celecoxib, nerve blocks, and other tricyclic antidepressants.
Dr. Farzin Pedouim is a board-certified neurologist and headache disorder specialist in Huntington Beach and Los Angeles. He helps patients with Hemicrania Continua find relief from the unrelenting pain.