The Headache Clinic - Blog #sinus headacheThe Headache Clinic - Blog #sinus headachehttps://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/tag/sinus-headacheSat, 11 Apr 2026 21:17:33 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Bonitas House Call Headache Clip ]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/bonitas-house-call-headache-clipDr Elliot Shevel describes the different types of headaches and migraines in this video clip, watch to find out what they are.]]>

All about headaches

]]>Thu, 18 May 2023 10:53:44 +0200<![CDATA[Never Have A Headache Again]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/never-have-a-headache-againNever Have A Headache Again You don’t have to live with your…. Read more on the article by Elizabeth Atmore from FairLady Magazine.]]>

You don’t have to live with your…

To read more on the article by Elizabeth Atmore from FairLady Magazine, click here. 

]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 11:38:50 +0200<![CDATA[Weather can cause your headaches]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/weather-can-cause-your-headachesResearch shows that the change of seasons, climate and environmental factors can all be contributing to your headaches. Read the full blog to find out more.]]>

Most people know that certain foods, lifestyle issues and exercise, can lead to migraines and headaches but few people realise that the weather can also trigger headaches. Research shows that the change of seasons, climate and environmental factors can all be contributing to your headaches

Two recent studies, published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine and in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health respectively, showed that headaches increase with higher temperatures, lower humidity and higher levels of fine particulate air pollution.

In the first study, patients who were admitted to the emergency department of a hospital due to a migraine headache, were monitored in terms of the weather conditions at the time of their admission. A total of 3 491 patients formed part of this study and a statistically significant correlation was found between daily the number of patients and the daily maximum temperatures, mean temperatures, minimum temperatures and daily temperature changes. The study also found that more patients presented with headaches and migraines when the humidity was low.

The second study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between fine particle matter in the air and daily outpatient numbers being treated for headaches in Taipei in Taiwan. Data was obtained for a five year period. It was found that the higher the presence of fine particulate air pollution, the greater the number of patients with headaches and migraines.

Dr Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s pioneer in the field of migraine surgery and the Medical Director of The Headache Clinic, says that weather-related phenomena can trigger headaches.

“The change of seasons, rain, lightning, thunder and even barometric pressure, can be triggers for headaches and migraines. Every person has different triggers, but the key is to identify your specific anatomic cause for headaches and migraines, not just the trigger,” says Shevel.

Why do the seasons impact headaches?

Click here to read the full article.
]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 10:17:12 +0200<![CDATA[Symptoms of a hay fever headache]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/symptoms-of-a-hay-fever-headacheA change in season also brings a change in the pollen types that are in the air and these trigger headaches directly or cause hay fever with headaches.]]>

The Headache Clinic article in the Ridge times titled – 4 Symptoms of a hay fever headache and 9 suggestions to make it go away

To read the full article. on the South Coast Herald Site – click here. 

]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 08:42:22 +0200<![CDATA[Could your sinusitis actually be a migraine?]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/could-your-sinusitis-actually-be-a-migraineMigraine headaches are often misdiagnosed as sinusitis because of similar symptoms – and sinusitis medication can further aggravate head pain.]]>

Migraine headaches are often misdiagnosed as sinusitis because of similar symptoms – and sinusitis medication can further aggravate head pain

Many people with migraine headaches are first misdiagnosed with, and treated for, sinusitis problems leading to an impaired quality of life, according to migraine expert...

To read more on this article by Amy Green for Mail and Guardian, click here. 

]]>Tue, 16 May 2023 16:04:07 +0200<![CDATA[Ofm Headache articles]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/understanding-headachesHeadaches come in many forms and intensities, so the correct diagnosis is the first step towards effective treatment]]>

Headaches come in many forms and intensities, so the correct diagnosis is the first step towards effective treatment

Ryan Usswald, 42 (from Constantia Kloof in Johannesburg) experienced cluster headaches for seven years. Her says “The best explanation I can give is when you hot your thumb really hard with a hammer, and start jumping up and down and swearing. Cluster headaches are similar in that they make you sweat, cry, scream and rage, because the pain is unbearable. It felt like my face was being ripped off”

You can this, with a quick search of “cluster headache” on Youtube. The people in the videos are writhing, shrieking and even hitting themselves.

Ryan’s attacks would last anything from 15 minutes to a few hours. “I used oxygen, ice packs, hot water bottles, and I even tried epilepsy medication as part of a medical trial… nothing stopped the pain,” he says

The impact on his life was huge. He was often exhausted from lack of sleep. He didn’t want to go out at night or socialise, because he didn’t know when he would be struck by an attack. The onset of a headache while driving can be potentially dangerous, too which restricted his movements. They effect on his family was probably the hardest thing. “My wife and son would be crying helplessly, while watching me during an attack.” Considering all of this, it is no surprise that cluster headaches are also called suicide headaches.

Click here to read the full article. 

]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 15:53:08 +0200<![CDATA[Headaches: What do they mean?]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/headaches-what-do-they-meanThere are many types of headaches, with different causes that require their own treatment. Which one is causing you pain?]]>

There are many types of headaches, with different causes that require their own treatment. Which one is causing you pain?

We all get headaches once in a while, and mostly there is no reason to worry. The pain is simply the result of the signals between your brain, blood vessels and the nerves around them, and can be set off by anything from stress to second-hand smoke, skipping a meal to sleep problems, say headache specialist Dr Elliot Shevel of the headache Clinic in Joburg.

But occasionally they can signal a serious underlying condition. It’s good to know the difference.

Find out more on Tension Headaches, Sinus Headaches, Migraines, Cluster Headaches and how to spot and treat them in a 2 page feature written by Glynis Horning, in the June 2017 Balanced life magazine (page 44 and 45)


To download the full story click here. 

]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 15:52:17 +0200<![CDATA[All about headaches]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/all-about-headachesDr Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s pioneer in the field of migraine surgery, and the medical director of The Headache Clinic in Johannesburg, shares important information about various types of headaches.]]>

Dr Shevel, shares on living Fedhealthly important information about various types of headaches namely –

  • Migraine
  • Tension-Type Headache (TTH)
  • Cluster Headache
  • Sinus Headache
  • Medication-Overuse Headache (MOH)
  • Hemiplegic Migraine
To read the full article. on the Fedhealth website, click here. 

]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 15:49:28 +0200<![CDATA[Does a headache mean I have a brain tumour? ]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/does-a-headache-mean-i-have-a-brain-tumorThere are times when you know exactly what caused your headache – a hangover, stress or even lack of sleep. And then there are other times when you can only guess at the cause.But no matter what type of headache you have, it’s usually not caused by any life-threatening condition.]]>

Whether you wake up with a headache or suddenly develop an excruciating pain behind the eyes, your first thought might be that it’s a brain tumour. An expert weighs in and gives us some reassuring information.

There are times when you know exactly what caused your headache – a hangover, stress or even lack of sleep. And then there are other times when you can only guess at the cause. But no matter what type of headache you have, it’s usually not caused by any life-threatening condition.

Finding the cause

People often assume that a recurring headache is an indication of something sinister like a brain tumour or impending stroke, but Dr Elliot Shevel of The Headache Clinic has reassuring news.


He says that although a headache can be triggered by different things in different people, the pain usually originates in one (or both) of two structures – either the muscles of the jaws and neck, or from the tiny arteries outside the skull just under the skin.  


“Arterial pain and muscle pain are the most common causes of headaches,” explains Dr Shevel. “But it’s important to first be sure that it’s not the brain causing the pain [even though it may feel as though it is]. For this reason, a neurological examination is done first to rule out serious conditions such as brain tumours or meningitis."


He continues, “Once we are certain that there is no neurological condition causing the pain, we test the structures outside the skull to determine whether it's muscular or arterial or both.”


Once the cause has been identified, Dr Shevel and his team can find the most suitable treatment.


In patients with mainly muscle pain, Dr Shevel prescribes a very comfortable appliance that is worn in the palate, and which is highly effective in relaxing the muscles of the jaws and neck. The painful arteries are treated with a minimally invasive procedure with excellent results.

Headache triggers

People often say that something has triggered their headache or migraine – a food or smell – but Dr Shevel says a trigger is not necessarily the underlying problem. Only when there is an underlying muscle or artery problem do the triggers cause a headache.

Chronic headaches

It’s normal to get the occasional headache – a stressful day at the office, your pillow is too flat, you’re dehydrated or you drank too much the night before. Regular headaches can, however, be very disruptive. 


Dr Shevel says you mustn’t let recurring headaches ruin your life. “If you find you are constantly taking medication or it’s affecting your work, you probably suffer from chronic headaches. The problem we see is that doctors tend to treat the symptoms and not the underlying problem.”

The bottom line: if chronic headaches are disrupting your life, get help!


To read Mandy Freeman‘s article on Health24, click here. 

]]>Thu, 01 Sep 2022 12:08:08 +0200