Avoiding extreme heat, staying well hydrated and consulting a specialist: key measures for controlling headaches

Specialists at Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja are highlighting the importance of headache prevention in relation to a neurological disorder that affects nearly 74% of the Spanish population in the form of primary headaches. In addition, around 4% of patients suffer from chronic headache, characterised by pain occurring at least 15 days per month.

Beyond their high prevalence, experts warn of the impact headaches can have on daily life, particularly in the case of migraine, which can be highly disabling and affect work, family and social life, significantly reducing quality of life. This condition is also more common among women.

“Headaches should not be considered normal when they interfere with daily life. It is important to consult a specialist in order to identify the type of headache and establish the most appropriate treatment,” explains Dr Erika Torres, Head of the Advanced Neurology Unit at Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja and Quirónsalud Alicante.

Specialists emphasise the importance of identifying the factors that may trigger headaches and adopting migraine prevention measures. These include avoiding exposure to intense heat, sudden changes in temperature, and maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition, particularly during periods of high temperatures.

“These are simple measures that can help prevent migraine and other types of headache,” says Dr Torres.

Migraine: a condition that goes beyond headache pain

Among the most common types of headache are tension-type headache and migraine. The former, with a prevalence of over 60%, is characterised by mild to moderate pain, usually associated with stress or musculoskeletal problems. Migraine, meanwhile, affects approximately 15% of the population, is more frequent in women, and presents with moderate to severe pain accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and noise.

“Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that goes beyond pain. In many cases, patients experience disabling symptoms that affect their daily routine,” explains the specialist.

In some cases, migraine may be preceded by aura, a transient neurological phenomenon that includes visual disturbances, speech difficulties or abnormal sensations.

“Aura is a neurological focal symptom that can precede the pain and often causes considerable concern among patients, which is why it is essential to understand and recognise it,” she adds.

Treatments for headache and migraine

The management of headaches includes both symptomatic and preventive treatments. Acute attacks are treated with medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans or gepants as part of migraine treatment.

In cases of recurrent or disabling migraine, specialists may prescribe preventive migraine treatments, including antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs or beta-blockers.

“In patients with frequent migraines, it is essential to begin preventive treatments that reduce the number of attacks and improve quality of life,” notes Dr Torres.

For patients with chronic or high-frequency migraine, biological treatments may also represent an alternative in certain cases. “There are advanced therapies designed to block proteins involved in triggering migraine attacks, offering new therapeutic options for selected patients,” explains the specialist.

Prevention and comprehensive headache management

Continuous patient follow-up and direct contact with the healthcare team are also essential in ensuring agile, personalised care.

“Having specialised units allows us to provide a comprehensive approach to headache management, combining diagnosis, prevention and follow-up, which ultimately leads to better outcomes,” concludes Dr Torres.

The specialist explains that the dedicated headache treatment programme at Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja and Quirónsalud Alicante provides rapid access to Neurology specialists, who carry out an accurate diagnosis from the first consultation and guide patients towards the most appropriate treatment in each case.

In addition, the programme includes neurological nursing consultations, where patients receive education, lifestyle habits are assessed, and key hygiene and dietary recommendations for headache prevention are established.