Headaches & Migraines

Unpredictable headaches and migraines can make for a long day at work or keep you home from work entirely. At his private practice in Flossmoor, Illinois, Sameh Nabelsi, MD, provides headache and migraine evaluations and creates an individualized care plan so you can manage your condition from day to day. Call Sameh Nabelsi, MD, or schedule an appointment online for headache and migraine care today.

What is the difference between headaches and migraines?

Headaches and migraines are similar but not quite the same. While many people consider migraines to be a type of headache, the two conditions have some important differences. Sameh Nabelsi, MD, can help you identify which you have and how to manage them:

Headaches

Headaches cause pain or pressure in your temple, face, or another part of your head. They vary in how they feel: Your headaches might involve throbbing, a dull ache, or sharp pain. There are several types, including tension headaches and cluster headaches. 

Migraines

A migraine is a condition that can involve headaches as a symptom, but they don’t always cause head pain. As a neurological condition, a migraine disrupts brain activity and can cause a variety of symptoms. In addition to a possible headache on one side of your head, a migraine can involve sound or light sensitivity, nausea, and dizziness. 

How are headaches and migraines diagnosed?

Sameh Nabelsi, MD, welcomes you to visit for an evaluation and treatment consultation if you experience headaches or migraines. Dr. Nabelsi conducts a brief physical examination and reviews your symptoms. 

If Dr. Nabelsi suspects you experience migraines, he may conduct a neurological examination in addition to your standard physical exam. Migraine diagnosis sometimes involves imaging tests too, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and computed tomography (CT) scans. 

How are headaches and migraines treated?

Many headaches and migraines are triggered by particular behaviors, foods, or circumstances. Dr. Nabelsi can help you explore your possible triggers, often urging you to keep a diary or journal of what happens leading up to your headaches and migraines. Identifying and avoiding these triggers may help you avoid future headaches or migraines. 

Dr. Nabelsi also provides individualized care for your headaches or migraines according to the type you experience. His care recommendations might include:

• Over-the-counter pain relief medications
• Stress management
• Biofeedback
• Botox® injections for migraines

If certain prescription medications you take cause your headaches or migraines, Dr. Nabelsi may be able to offer alternative medications without side effects or change your dosage. He might also suggest some lifestyle or diet changes to lessen your chances of a headache or migraine. 

Schedule a headache or migraine evaluation online or over the phone at Sameh Nabelsi, MD, today to get a diagnosis.