
According to Dr. Sellman, “when people suffer from headaches, like those Mrs. Kolodziejski was experiencing, we start by doing some detective work to find the root of the problem. In her case, the pain was a result of a pinched nerve in the neck.” He emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach when caring for headaches, looking at the whole body, both physiologically and psychologically. “Taking care of headaches requires comprehensive examination to rule out issues such as uncontrolled blood pressure, sleep apnea, kidney disease and lung diseases that may be related,” he states. In some cases, the headaches are migraines, which are very common in women and can be triggered by a variety of factors. Treatment options include prescription medication and lifestyle changes, including altering diet, reducing stress and increasing exercise. Botox injections can also help, and are available through the Center. “It’s easy to jump to a worst-case scenario such as assuming headaches are caused by a brain tumor, but that is generally rare. Evaluation can help get to the root of the problem and open a door to many treatment options.”
Although the injection Dr. Sellman offered Mrs. Kolodziejski was a temporary fix to her problem, he referred her to Greater Baltimore Neurosurgical Associates (GBNA) to consider surgery as a more permanent solution. His kind demeanor made an impact on her. “I was so impressed with the consideration and compassion of Dr. Sellman and the politeness of his office staff in general,” says Mrs. Kolodziejski. “Thanks to him, I’m now on the path to enjoying my typical lifestyle.”