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.
Question I always have headache at the back of my head. Usually it happen when I have a lot of work and have to think a lot or when I use my contact lense more than 8 hours. Usually I just sleep to get rid of it. But lately my headache become worse. It happened every 2 or 3 days, and it continues for 2 or 3 straight days. I never go and see the doctor about this because I thought it's just a normal headache last time.
What could it be the cause? Does this shows symptom of brain cancer?
Answer Wan,
I am sorry to hear that you must contend with regular headaches. There are many different types of headache. These include tension headache, migraine, neurovascular (such as cluster headaches), sinusitis, medication rebound, cervical, and rarely, tumor caused headaches.
Tension headaches are often described as a dull, constant pain, tightness, or muscle fatigue, that makes the head feel as if it is gripped in a tight band. Some people compare the pressure to a vise. Localized knots in the head or neck may be sensitive to touch. A tension headache may occur on one or both sides of the head. Besides frequent headaches, other associated complaints commonly include the following. Each symptom may occur independently or several may occur simultaneously. Each may be constant, or may come and go.
• Clicking, popping, or gravely noises when yawning or moving the jaw
• Limitation in jaw opening or closing
• Pain when chewing or yawning
• Grinding or clenching the teeth
• Neck or shoulder pain
• Broken, chipped or worn down teeth
• Drifting teeth
• Pain in front of the ears, behind the eyes or near the temples
• Tired or sore jaws
• Ringing in the ears
• Vertigo
• Uncomfortable bite, or change in the bite
• Receding gums
• Loss of one or more teeth
Sufferers tend to describe Migraine Headaches as throbbing or pulsating. The pain is moderate to severe, and may persist from a few hours to several days. Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or visual disturbances may accompany the attack. Some Migraine sufferers experience an aura, a group of symptoms that precede the painful attack by up to an hour. For some, the aura may include visual problems such as flashing lights, zigzag lines, bright spots, or partial loss of vision. For others, the aura may consist of tingling sensations in the hand, tongue, or side of the face. A wide range of environmental and dietary factors, including flashing lights, weather changes, odors, inadequate sleep, and a variety of foods and food additives may trigger migraine attacks.
Wan, I would suggest you see your doctor. Once the cause is determined, a plan of effective action can be developed.
