The Link Between TBI and Chronic Headaches: When to Seek Help

13-Mar-2025

Experiencing persistent headaches after a head injury? Don’t dismiss them as just another symptom that will fade with time. Chronic headaches following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a warning sign of deeper neurological issues. Effective treatments are available, but early diagnosis is key to preventing lasting damage. Let’s explore the connection between TBI and chronic headaches and the warning signs to watch for.

Understanding the Connection Between TBI and Chronic Headaches

A TBI, whether mild (concussion) or severe, can disrupt normal brain function and lead to long-term headaches. This occurs due to:

• Inflammation and nerve damage: A head injury can trigger swelling, putting pressure on nerves and pain-sensitive areas.
• Vascular changes: TBIs may alter blood flow in the brain, increasing the risk of migraines.
• Cervicogenic headaches: Neck injuries accompanying TBIs can cause headaches that radiate from the cervical spine.
• Post-traumatic migraines: Some individuals develop migraines triggered by light, sound, or stress after a brain injury.
• Neurological dysfunction: Damage to pain-processing pathways can make the brain more sensitive to headache triggers.

Signs It’s Time to Seek Professional Help

You should seek medical help if you experience:

• Headaches that persist beyond a few weeks after a head injury.
• Increasing pain intensity or frequency of headaches.
• Vision changes, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating.
• Neck stiffness or pain radiating down the spine.
• Sensitivity to light and sound that interferes with daily life.
• Nausea, vomiting, or balance problems accompanying your headaches.
• Difficulty sleeping or increased irritability linked to head pain.

Advanced Diagnostics for Post-TBI Headaches: Pinpointing the Root Cause for Effective Treatment

Accurately diagnosing post-TBI headaches requires a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause.

Videonystagmography (VNG) and Dynamic Posturography evaluate eye movements and vestibular function, pinpointing the cause of blurred vision and balance disorders linked to TBI-related dizziness and headaches.

Evoked Potentials measure how the brain processes sensory signals, detecting subtle neurological deficits that contribute to headaches.

In some cases, advanced diagnostic tools such as EEG, Quantitative EEG (qEEG), and Cortical Mapping analyze brainwave patterns to identify disruptions caused by trauma, while Cognitive Evaluation assesses cognitive impairments with precision.

By combining these cutting-edge diagnostic techniques, we can accurately identify the root cause of post-TBI headaches and create a targeted treatment plan to address both symptoms and underlying dysfunctions.

If you or a loved one is experiencing persistent headaches after a TBI, contact Dr. Pappolla and team today. We use advanced diagnostic technology for precise evaluations and ensure seamless coordination of care with specialists helping patients recover and regain full functionality.

AUTHOR: Dr. Miguel A. Pappolla is a board-certified neurologist and board-certified pain medicine specialist in Houston, Texas, with expertise in traumatic brain injury and pain management. A full professor of Neurology at UTMB, he holds board certifications in five medical specialties and has authored over 100 highly cited research papers. With decades of experience as a consultant for the NIH and as a neuroscience educator, Dr. Pappolla continues to advance research and patient care.