Headache
HEADACHE is the commonest of all symptoms. It encompasses all the aches and pains located in the head.
most common type of vascular headache is migraine. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, and, at times, disturbed vision.
Many people understandably become obsessed by the headache but fail to see it as an end result, not the start of their problems or how they are treating their body. 'If only I did not get these headaches life would be wonderful.' This is unlikely; headaches don't evolve without favorable conditions and, in any case, if you did not get headaches nature might prod you in some other way to force you to take stock. It could be by giving you digestive problems, panic attacks, asthma, depression or any chronic condition which forces you temporarily to slow down.
Pain Sensitive Structures of Head
1. Skin, tissue, muscles and arteries.
2. Tissues of eye, ear, nose and sinuses.
3. Large veins within skull.
4. Membranes covering the brain.
5. Major nerves, which supply to the face.
Cause of Pain in the Head
1. Distension, traction, dilation of blood vessels.
2. Compression, traction, inflammation of tissues and nerves.
3. Spasms, inflammation and injury to the muscles.
4. Raised pressure within the brain.
5. Inflammation and irritation of the membranes covering the brain.
Description of Headaches
1. Acute variety e.g. trauma, inflammation of the membranes of the brain.
2. Dull aching e.g. related to eyestrain.
3. Throbbing e.g. fever.
4. Tension e.g. anxious depressed individuals.
Varieties of Headaches
1. Migrane-periodic, half-sided, throbbing accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
2. Cluster headache-paroxysmal, occurs at night two or three hours after falling asleep, one sided or bilateral, watering of one eye, blocked nostril. Lasts an hour or two.
3. Tension headache-generalised all over, non-throbbing continuous, of variable intensity. Lasting for weeks or months, provoked by nervous strain, acute anxiety or depression.
4. Irritation of brain membranes-generalised, intense, steady deep pain of a duration of a few days to a week.
5. Brain tumor-variable in intensity, may awaken from sleep, steady, lasting minutes to hours, increasing severity.
6. Inflammation of arteries-generally one sided, persistent burning, aching and persists for weeks to a few months.
Types of Common Headaches
There are two types of headaches: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not associated with (caused by) other diseases. Examples of primary headaches are migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by associated disease.
| Tension |
Caused by contraction of the muscles. |
| Migraine |
Caused by altered circulation to the head. |
| Hormonal |
Caused by changing hormone levels, for example, premenstrual tension, the menopause, taking the pill. |
| Post -Stress |
Stress Caused by dilation of blood vessels after period of constriction. |
| Allergic |
Caused by exposure to pollens, moulds, chemicals, foods. |
| Infective |
Caused by bacteria or viruses. |
| Structural |
Caused by bones being out of alignment, for example the jaw bone. |
| Postural |
Caused by putting a strain on the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders. |
| Eye Strain |
Caused by overuse of the muscles around the eyes. |
| Hypoglycemic |
Caused by rapid changes in the blood sugar levels; dieting, poor nutrition, irregular meals. |
| Toxic |
Caused by over indulgence(( in food and drink, constipation, absorption of toxins from the colon. |
| Drug -Induced |
Caused either by ingestion of drugs or as part of the withdrawal reaction. |
| Hyperventilation |
Caused by an unbalanced mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the brain. |
| Atmospheric |
Caused by empathic stress - gases, radiation, positive ions, stuffy rooms. |
| Atmospheric Electrical Pollution |
Caused by power cables, VDUs, etc. |
Management
1. Minor headaches may be treated with analgesics.
2. Persistent headaches would need a doctor's advice.
3. Anxious people need reassurance.
4. Vision check must be carried out to rule out eye defects.
5. Dietary intake should be nutritious.
6. Avoid late nights.
7. Control alcohol and tobacco consumption.
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