Heat, humidity and headaches: Summertime is the worst for head pain.

There are few downsides to summer, but the hotter weather is a big trigger for migraines and other debilitating headaches.

Migraines, tension-type headaches and cluster headaches are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, with women experiencing them three times as often as men.

“Headaches are more common in females because of hormones,” said neurologist Dr. Susie Platt of Novant Health Neurology - Doctors Circle in Wilmington. “Headaches often present during menarche (the first menstrual period) and can change during pregnancy and menopause.”

But headaches are unforgiving and do not discriminate. And because there is a genetic component, if you get them, there’s a risk that your kids may develop them, too.

Here, Platt weighs in on how headache treatment combined with healthier living can help prevent head pain during the summer when temps climb.

What are the most common headaches to watch out for during summer?

Tension headaches are the most common headaches during summer. Tension headaches are characterized by a steady pain across both sides of the head. They may feel like a band of pain across the forehead or extend to the back of the head and neck, or may feel like pressure or tightness in these areas.

Migraines are also common during summer. Migraines usually occur on one side of the head and can last for several hours or days. Throbbing pain is usually associated with light and noise sensitivity, and can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.

A 2007 study of individuals who suffer from migraines reported more than half (53%) reported seasonal weather changes as a trigger for a migraine attack.

At what point can you classify headaches as chronic, and when should someone seek help from a physician?

A headache is considered chronic when it’s present for more than 15 days a month, for more than three months.

It’s a good idea to track headache days by keeping a headache calendar, and to see a physician when a new headache is persistent, more severe or accompanying other neurologic symptoms. During that visit, patients should also discuss issues they’re having with sleep, stress and lifestyle that may be contributing to headaches.

What are the available treatment options for chronic headaches and migraines?

There are several main treatment options available for chronic headaches and migraines. Your neurologist can help you decide which option is best for you.

The two main types of headache therapies are preventive and abortive. Preventive therapies, also known as prophylactic medications, stop a headache from happening. Abortive therapies are used to treat headaches that have already started.

Abortive headache therapies

Oral medications: Pain-relief medications should be taken at the first sign of a migraine. But remember that abortive over-the-counter (OTC) options like Advil, Tylenol and Excedrin become less effective if you have to use them consistently to keep symptoms at bay.

Taking pain relievers too frequently may also cause medication-overuse headaches, known as analgesic rebound headaches. When OTC meds are no longer helping, patients should seek help from their physician. Your doctor may prescribe a triptan medication, which blocks pain pathways in the brain, or a gepant medication, which blocks a protein in the brain that can trigger pain.

Preventive headache therapies

Monoclonal antibody injections: This is a newer treatment prescribed for migraines. These injections, typically given once a month, work by blocking calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein that can make those headaches worse by causing pain and swelling in the brain.

Nerve blocks: This procedure is administered by injecting a local anesthetic near a nerve or group of nerves to block the spread of pain. Relief from those unnecessary pain signals is immediate, and can last for several months.

Botox and trigger point injections: These procedures can help to relax the muscles. Trigger point injections suppress muscle-twitching that can trigger migraines, while Botox injections can block neural pathways to reduce the severity, duration and frequency of headaches.