Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 5)

Headaches 101 Charlotte Overby, 57, of Pontotoc experienced recurring headaches shortly after starting treatment for ovarian cancer in June 2011. “I was beginning to have headaches three days in a row,” she says. “We knew it was a possible side effect from the chemotherapy.” Upon referral from her Ob-Gyn, Overby saw neurologist Donna Harrington, M.D., of Neurology Consultants just to make sure nothing more serious was going on. After a thorough neurological examination showed nothing suspicious, Harrington prescribed medication to help with the pain. “I still occasionally get a headache, but never three days in a row,” says Overby, who recently completed 18 months of chemotherapy. Everyone suffers from a headache from time to time, but those who deal with recurring headaches make up the largest percentage of patients seen at Neurology Consultants. Harrington says they see patients with four basic types of headaches: tension, cluster, migraine and post-traumatic. The most common type, tension headaches are chronic, often-daily headaches that feel like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. “It also helps to recognize the stressors that bring on your tension headaches, and then avoid those stressors,” Harrington says. Cluster headaches, which are more common in men, are recurring headaches that tend to come and go. “You may have a few per week, and then you may go months in between,” Harrington says. “Cluster headaches usually cause severe pain on one side of the head, and are often “She was very, very sick,” Newell says. “Because it is so rare, a lot of teamwork went into figuring out how to treat her in order to have a good outcome.” Neurosurgeon Louis Rosa, M.D., infectious disease specialist Max Taylor, M.D., and clinical pharmacist Dereck Young worked closely with her nurses to balance high-dose antibiotics to fight the infection with high-dose anticoagulant medications to thin the associated with nasal congestion.” Treatment may include medication or supplemental oxygen. Migraine headaches, often called “sick headaches,” tend to run in families and are more common in women. “A migraine can be so severe that it keeps you from carrying out your daily activities,” Harrington says. “They often cause sensitivity to light and sound.” Some people get an aura, such as visual distortion, before the migraine starts. Charlotte Overby Physicians typically use medications that prevent high blood pressure, seizures and depression to prevent migraines. Botox injections are another new treatment. “Lifestyle modifications can also help, such as getting regular sleep, exercising and controlling stress,” Harrington says. Post-traumatic headaches are a common result of head injury and can persist for months or years. In addition to headache, the patient may suffer from insomnia, difficulty concentrating and personality changes. Treatment most often includes an antidepressant. So when does a headache require attention? “Seek treatment if you have a ‘thunderclap,’ worst-in-your-life headache; if your headaches are different than usual, are more frequent or if the usual treatment isn’t working,” Harrington says. Seek immediate medical attention if the headache is accompanied by numbness, tingling, fever and stiff neck—symptoms that may point to a more serious medical condition. “It’s always better to get it checked out than to miss out,” she says. blood clots. After two weeks in the hospital, she was discharged and arranged for NMMC Home Health staff to continue her treatment at home. By mid-October, English was able to return to teaching at Anderson Elementary School, where her students were already well into their first semester. Amazingly, the 36-year-old has had no residual effects from the ordeal—except worrying about Spri ng 2013 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Brain Power
No Bones About It
You're the Star
Heart-to-Heart
Lighten Up!
Have No Fear
Work It!
What Are the Chances?
9 Symptoms Never to Ignore
When Allergies Attack
Virtual Health
Botox: A New Miracle Drug?
The Doctor Will See You Now
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - North Mississippi