Acute Headache Services
When you experience a severe bout of head or facial pain from a migraine or trigeminal neuralgia, relief can’t come quickly enough. This is especially true when symptoms last several days or strike suddenly.
Cleveland Clinic London’s acute headache services offer advanced care, including drugs such as dihydroergotamine that are not widely available in the U.K. Many patients feel better after a short hospital stay where they receive fast-acting medications under the careful watch of our experienced team.
Acute Headache Services at Cleveland Clinic London: Why Choose Us?
Convenient Care:
Our large neurology consultant team sees new patients as soon as possible in our Outpatient Centre. After performing a thorough evaluation, we often admit patients the same day. Our efficient process makes it possible to start healing sooner. However, if you experience a sudden, severe headache that needs urgent evaluation, call an ambulance, go to accident and emergency (A&E) or seek advice from 111.
Comprehensive Care:
We offer a broad range of treatments, some of which are only available from experienced headache specialists. Consultants coordinate the appropriate options for your needs. Meet our team.
Skilled, Collaborative Providers:
If you have other medical issues, we work with additional Cleveland Clinic London consultants to tailor your care. For example, if headaches are part of a complex pain syndrome, pain management specialists are available to help you.
Quality Focus:
We continue caring for you after your hospital stay. Patients often see the same neurologist who performed their initial evaluation. We review and adjust your treatment plan to help lower your risk of future acute headache episodes.
Conditions Our Acute Headache Services Treat
Our team cares for patients with head or facial pain that makes it challenging to go about daily activities. Conditions we commonly see include:
- Long-lasting migraine headache (status migrainosus): You have migraine pain and other symptoms that are more severe than usual. You may also experience familiar symptoms lasting three days or more. In both situations, standard migraine therapies may not work as expected.
- Chronic refractory headache: This long-term condition is when you have frequent headaches, and standard therapies fail to relieve your symptoms.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: This condition is often due to a blood vessel pressing on a facial nerve. It causes unbearable attacks that may not respond to standard pain medications. Even potent drugs, such as opioids, often fail to quiet the discomfort.
Consultants Who Offer Acute Headache Services
Locations
Our consultants see patients in modern and technologically advanced facilities in the heart of London.Acute Care for Status Migrainosus and Other Headache Disorders
When you come to us for acute headache care, here’s what you can expect:
Evaluation
We perform a comprehensive evaluation to learn more about your symptoms and make a plan with you for managing your condition. You may need some more specialised tests or further specialist opinions. These investigations are available on short notice, so your care keeps moving forward.
Inpatient stay
Treatment for status migrainosus and other acute disorders typically involves receiving medications through a vein in your arm (IV infusion). This method provides quicker relief than drugs you take by mouth. Treatments may also include medications to relieve pain, nausea, inflammation and other symptoms.
IV infusions for migraines and other acute headache disorders include:
- Dihydroergotamine (DHE).
- Sodium valproate.
- Antiepileptic drugs for trigeminal neuralgia.
- Aspirin.
- Eptinezumab.
- Magnesium.
During your hospital admission, you stay in a quiet, comfortable room. Depending on the type of infusion, treatment may include additional therapies that lower the risk of complications. Neurology nurses who regularly manage patients with head pain provide attentive, around-the-clock care. Headache specialists and neurologists are available as necessary.
Follow-up
After hospital discharge, you return to our clinic, where neurologists discuss your future headache care needs. We review your current treatment plan and make adjustments that lower the risk of future acute attacks.
Neuroscience Self-Pay Services
Acute headache care is one of the many neurology services we offer. Whether you’re managing a chronic neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s disease or considering spinal or neurosurgery, we’re here to help you get better. Find out more.
Appointments
Ready to see us? We’re ready for you and look forward to the opportunity to assist with your needs. We’re available to take your call Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. You’re also welcome to request an appointment online.
Self-Pay
We offer convenient self-pay services. But what does that mean? With this option, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing, access to unparalleled care, and the expertise of our consultants.
Private Insurance
Need help using your private insurance? We make it easy to get your referral, authorisation and make sure everything’s covered so you can come into your appointment with one less thing to worry about.
