Headache Pain Treatment in Pueblo, CO
Headaches can cause severe discomfort, disrupt your day-to-day life, and impact your well-being. If you suffer from frequent headaches and have not found relief through traditional treatments, it is very likely that an underlying issue such as sleep apnea or TMJ may be the root cause of your pain.
Types of Headaches
Headache pain can range from mild to severe, and depending on their frequency, headaches can be episodic or chronic.
The following are the main types of headaches:
- Migraine headaches
- Tension headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Hypnic headaches
The best course of treatment will be different for each type of headache and for each individual.
Headache Causes
If you suffer from frequent headaches, particularly in the morning, and have been unable to find their root cause and relief from pain, it may be due to the fact that your condition has not been properly diagnosed. Headaches are, in fact, a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and sleep apnea.
Headaches and TMD
TMD is a type of disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint located behind the jaw on either side of your skull. This joint supports jaw movements required for chewing, speaking, and using the muscles in the mouth. The stress and overuse of the jaw muscles and joints caused by TMJ disorder can cause painful symptoms, including headaches, neck or temple pain, and even migraines.
Properly addressing TMD can relieve not only your headaches but also the other complications associated with this condition and improve your quality of life.
Headaches and Sleep Apnea
Headaches are also a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This sleep disorder causes breathing to stop multiple times during sleep. These interruptions can deprive you of a good night’s rest, which can lead to headaches, especially upon waking up. The breathing issues caused by OSA also deprive your brain of much-needed oxygen, which can cause the blood vessels to widen and lead to vascular headaches.
Cluster headaches, in particular, are closely linked with sleep-disordered breathing, and studies have found that individuals who snore have a high rate of headaches. Specialized treatment for sleep apnea can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches as well as improve your sleep quality so that you can lead a healthier, happier life.
Treatment for Headaches
The first step in efficiently managing headache pain is to determine what type of headache it is based on its frequency, signs, and symptoms and whether it is the result of an underlying issue. If it is, the treatment plan must include steps to manage and address the underlying issue.
Both TMJ and OSA can cause chronic pain and commonly cause headaches. To find proper treatment for these conditions and relief from pain, patients need to see a specialist. Dr. Beck, our specialist at TMJ Sleep Colorado, is trained in treating TMJ disorders as well as sleep apnea and craniofacial pain. He has been recognized as a Diplomate in the treatment of TMJ disorders by the American Board of Craniofacial Pain and in Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Beck is the only doctor in the Pueblo area who is double board-certified for oral appliance therapy.
With his decades of experience and specialized training, Dr. Beck can properly diagnose your condition and provide personalized treatment that targets the underlying problem.
Depending on the severity of your condition, Dr. Beck may recommend oral appliance therapy or a mandibular advancement device (MAD) to alleviate your symptoms and help you regain your well-being. At our facility, we custom-make oral appliances for TMJ or sleep apnea to ensure they are comfortable, secure, and highly effective.
To learn more about the treatment options we offer for headaches, visit TMJ Sleep Colorado at 1619 N Greenwood St #308, Pueblo, CO 81003, or call us at (719) 544-0901.