Treatment Overview

Headache Treatment Overview

Q: How does Buoy choose treatments and ensure quality?

Buoy’s clinicians present treatments based on established protocols of care, evidence-based guidelines, and clinical experience. The treatment providers on our website have to meet Buoy’s clinical standards. These providers must be properly licensed and credentialed; practice evidence-based medicine and follow established guidelines; monitor safety and efficacy; and protect user privacy.

Q: Can I use these treatments even if I have a primary care doctor?

Yes. You can still use Buoy if you have a primary care provider. Buoy may provide access to treatment options that you cannot easily access elsewhere. Talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Find the right care and learn about different treatments.

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Care Plan

First steps to consider

Most everyday headaches can be treated at home.
Try OTC pain relievers, rest, and drinking fluids.

See home treatments

When you may need a provider

Your headache doesn’t improve in about 3 days
You have chronic headaches (more than about 10 days per month) or your headaches are severe.

See care providers

Emergency Care

Call 911 or go to the ER if you have any of the following symptoms:

If your headache is the most painful that you’ve ever had
If your headache is very severe and you also have a stiff neck, fever, confusion, changes in your vision, numbness, vomiting, or a recent head injury

The suppliers listed follow Buoy’s clinical guidelines, but listing the suppliers does not constitute a referral or recommendation by Buoy. When you click on the link and/or engage with these services Buoy will be compensated.

Treat

All treatments for headache

When to see a doctor for a headache

Headaches are common and can often be managed at home. However, if you’re having severe headaches or frequent headaches that interfere with your ability to work or enjoy everyday life, you should see a healthcare provider.

After age 50, there’s a greater chance that a new type of headache could be caused by a medical problem, so it’s important to see a doctor for an exam and possibly additional testing.

Other reasons to schedule an appointment with a provider:

Change in your headache pattern (more severe, longer lasting, more frequent, not helped by usual medications).
Mild to moderate headache that doesn’t improve within 3 days of home care.
Frequent headaches, more than about 10 days per month. If you have to stay home from work, skip activities you’d normally enjoy, or can’t keep up with your everyday responsibilities, your headaches are significantly interfering with your quality of life.
Taking OTC pain relievers more than about 10 days per month because of headaches.

Getting diagnosed

The most common types of headaches (migraine headache and tension headache) are diagnosed based on your symptoms and an exam. If other tests are needed, they are used to check for (“rule out”) other more serious causes of the headache.

These may include imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI to check for brain tumors or bleeding into the brain.

Your doctor might order labs to look for signs of inflammation or infection.

What to expect from your visit

Your doctor will make a personalized treatment plan with you that includes lifestyle changes. It’s extremely important to work on improving your sleep, nutrition, and hydration, and to avoid known headache triggers.

Your doctor can give advice on how to effectively take (and not overuse) OTC pain relievers
They may prescribe medications that can stop or prevent some types of headaches.
There are a range of medications to treat migraine headaches. Some are taken to abort or stop the migraine, and some are taken on a daily basis to prevent migraines. Your doctor will discuss with you all the options. It may take some trial and error to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Cluster headaches can be treated with inhaled oxygen. You’ll usually need to see a neurology specialist if you’re diagnosed with this type of headache.

Types of headache doctors

An emergency medicine physician (ER doctor), if you have a severe headache that needs to be checked out right away.
A primary care physician (family medicine or internal medicine doctor), for mild or moderate symptoms that don’t get better with usual home treatment, or if you have frequent headaches. This is usually the best starting point for managing headaches that need medical interventions.
A neurologist, for headaches that are difficult to manage or otherwise complex.

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Every treatment shown on this site is evaluated by our medical team and must pass Buoy's clinical review.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Buoy and how are we paid?

Buoy is a healthcare marketplace that connects people with the right treatment options for their situation. Buoy helps people learn about treatments, which they can choose to use. Treatment providers pay Buoy to have their information on our platform. Buoy only shows providers on our website when their services are clinically relevant in helping the user address their symptoms or conditions. But listing the providers does not constitute a referral or endorsement.

How does Buoy choose treatments and ensure quality?

Can I use these treatments even if I have a primary care doctor?