AboutSteven C. Scherr, D.D.S. Expertise My expertise is in the areas of TMJ Dysfunction, Tension Headaches and Occluso-muscle Disorders. I am a dentist with 19 years of experience, including hospital residency (Sinai Hospital of Baltimore), and training at the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Currently in private TMJ Dysfunction and Comprehensive Rehabilitative Practice near Baltimore, Maryland.
Experience I was the Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School in 1981. I served as a General Practice Resident at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1981-82, and have been in private practice since that time. My practice is now located in Owings Mills, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. My studies at the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Florida has enriched my practice and my patients. It was there that I learned the true meaning of caring and excellence.
For exactly the past 10 days, i have been having very sharp and acute pain in my head. This is not a continous pain. It localizes to a spot behind the head...sometimes on the top of head. (mostly on the right hand side of the head).
I get intense (read unbearable) pain behind the back of my head when i have a deep cough or when i sneeze! (This is something very unbearable..and i am now dreading to cough or sneeze). It is as though the back of the head would rip off!!
I am 31 years old and I was diagnosed as having migraine 12 years ago when i went to a doctor with a painful headache. But these pains have never been regular ever since.
From my personal observations, I have noticed that lack of regular bowel movements also were a cause of migraine. But that is not a problem anymore.
10 days ago, i had "socialized" a bit more than usual (had a couple of more drinks of beer than usual). Could this excessive consumption of alcohol be a cause of this chronic headache ? I have not consulted a physician yet, hoping that these pains would subside a go away. But this isnt happening so. Can you help me understand my situation.
thank you
Answer Ramesh,
Head pain can have a number of different sources. These include nerve problems (neuralgia), neurovascular pain (migraine), muscle cramps (tension headache), jaw joint problems (TMJ dysfunction), vascular inflammation (arteritis), medication rebound, and rarely tumors. Alcohol consumption can be a trigger for many kinds of headache pain in susceptible individuals.
Persistent or severe headaches should be evaluated by a doctor. Once the source of pain is determined, the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.
