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Welcome to the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Headache Center at Chevy Chase
Specialized care for all types of headaches
When headaches disrupt your life, the experts at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Headache Center at Chevy Chase can help you gain more pain-free days.
Our experts are board-certified in neurology and headache. These specialists can create a custom treatment plan to relieve your pain with minimal side effects. Our clinic is embedded within MedStar Health Neurology, and our specialists offer the expertise and technology to diagnose even the most complex headache disorders, including:
- Migraine
- Cluster headaches and other headache disorders
- Occipital neuralgia
- Post-traumatic head and neck pain
After we determine or confirm your diagnosis, a treatment plan will be created uniquely for you. This plan may include medication, neuromodulation, or complementary alternative treatments such as nutraceuticals/behavioral therapy like biofeedback and relaxation therapy. Your plan may also include a referral to our expert network including pain management, physical therapy, and neurosurgery.
At the Headache Center, you’ll be surrounded by headache specialists who care about getting you back to the life you want.
When to seek emergency care
Go to the emergency room if you have:
- The worst headache of your life
- Uncontrollable vomiting
- New neurological symptoms, such as numbness or loss of strength on one side, vision loss, or vertigo
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Ayesha Sana Ahmad, MD
Neurology
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Katherine T Hamilton, MD
Neurology & Headache Medicine
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Laura B. Xanders, CRNP
Headache Medicine & Neurology
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Visiting us
What to expect
When you visit the Headache Center, we’ll ask you to complete a New Patient Form to help us understand your symptoms and medical history. This detailed form covers:
- Basic personal and lifestyle information
- Details about your headache symptoms, such as frequency, severity, and location
- Existing or previous medical conditions, including past surgeries and imaging exams
- Current medications and known allergies
- Other physical and mental concerns, such as heart, breathing, or pain disorders
This information will become part of your New Patient Information Packet, along with instructions for scheduling appointments with your headache specialist and other providers.
New Patient Information Packet
Headache calendar
Keeping a calendar or diary of when your headaches strike will help to identify patterns and potential symptom triggers, such as:
- Missing or overusing medications
- Frequency of headache days
- Impact of preventive medication
- Changes in your environment
Patient story
Andrea's story
Andrea struggled with migraine events as a child, and by age 26 the episodes became chronic. Seeking more effective treatment, she came to Jessica Ailani, MD, director of the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Headache Center.
Dr. Ailani took the time to understand Andrea's past treatment and symptoms, as well as her goals and aspirations. Together Andrea and Dr. Ailani curated a treatment plan that worked best for her through her adult life, pregnancy, and beyond.