For appointments or information, call 304-598-6127, then choose 2, then choose option 1.
The Headache Center is located in the Physician Office Center (POC) on level 1. Use the Eye Institute entrance, then take the elevators to the third floor. Turn left and go to the registration desk to sign in.
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Dr. David Watson
WVU Physician
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| David Watson, MD |
A. Got a headache? Between the current financial crisis, the onset of flu season and the hectic pace of modern life, it’s no wonder.
Headaches afflict almost everyone at some time or another. They may occur when you’re sick, when you’re stressed about an exam or meeting, when you’re taking medication, or for a variety of other reasons.
Fortunately for most people, headaches are more of a nuisance than a real problem. For some sufferers, though, headaches become more frequent, more severe and more troublesome.
Migraines cause pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Activity makes them even worse. Cluster headaches cause excruciating pain, red watering eyes, and disruptions in sleep. Even garden-variety tension-type headaches can become problematic when they occur frequently.
But many sufferers can find relief through lifestyle changes and might be able to avoid taking significant amounts of medication to stop the pain.
Ingredients in your food can get your head pounding, including caffeine, monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates and alcohol. If you suffer from frequent headaches, you should reduce caffeine, which can be a pain trigger or cause withdrawal headaches. Caffeine also disrupts sleep, which can make your headaches worse. Even though many over-the-counter headache medicines contain caffeine, these are only useful for people with infrequent headaches. Otherwise, these medications only add to the problem.
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| Chronic Migraines |
MSG is a flavor enhancer added to many processed foods and snacks, such as potato chips. MSG can activate pain centers in the brain and trigger headaches.
Nitrates are added to processed meats as a preservative, but they also act to dilate blood vessels, which can trigger headaches in people who are susceptible. Even various alcoholic beverages are known to cause headaches. If you drink red wine for the health benefits but find that your head hurts after a glass, try grape juice instead.
Poor sleep can cause increased headaches or make you more sensitive to other triggers. Doctors often recommend that headache sufferers:
If stress and anxiety are a cause of sleep difficulty, you can try relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation or biofeedback.
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| Chronic Migraines 2 — Headache Nutritional Triggers |
One of the most common causes of increasing headaches is actually taking too much medication for headaches. Various over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin®), and caffeine-containing medications (Excedrin®) are some to watch out for. Consult with your doctor before you stop taking any medicine.
Prescription medications can also cause increasing headaches when used frequently, such as opiate/narcotic pain relievers, butalbital, and even triptans. The general rule is that medications for headaches should not be used more than 2 days per week on average.
If you find that you need pain relievers more often than this, you may have developed medication overuse headaches, also known as Rebound Headaches. These often improve over time by simply stopping or reducing the frequency of treatment.
Even if you require medicine to manage your headaches, living a healthy "headache lifestyle" is very important and can help make the medications more effective. There is a wealth of information available on the internet to help you. Some very good web sites include:
Be aware that new headaches, increasing headache frequency or changing patterns of headaches can be a cause for concern, so you should consult a primary care provider or a neurologist even if you are trying to avoid prescription medications.
About Dr. David Watson
David Watson, MD, is the director of the WVU Headache Center and the only headache specialist in the state certified by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties.
A native of New Martinsville, Dr. Watson returned to West Virginia after four years as a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and a practice at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He earned his medical degree at WVU and completed advanced training in neurology as well as a fellowship in headache at the University of North Carolina.
Watson is a member of the American Headache Society and the International Headache Society. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.