Headaches
Important Details about Headaches
What is a headache?
Any head pain might be classified as a headache. The majority of people will at some point in their lives experience this prevalent ailment. Both men and women can experience headaches at any age. Most of the time, a headache is uncomfortable but not dangerous. On rare occasions, it might indicate a serious medical condition. Headaches can have a wide range of forms and causes. To identify the type of headache you have, you might need to visit a physician.
What symptoms are related to Headaches?
Over 200 distinct kinds of headaches exist, and they can feel very different from one another. These are a few typical types’ symptoms.
Type of tension One of the most prevalent types of headaches is the tension-type headache. Usually, you get stiff or dull ache on both sides of your head. It may linger for seven days or for thirty minutes.
Migraine: This common health issue can include headaches as well as one or more other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or light or noise sensitivity. Usually aching on one side of the head, the pain might linger for several hours or even days.
Before or during a migraine episode, some patients suffer additional symptoms, such as visual aura or alterations in their eyesight. An aura of vision might manifest as blind areas, bursts of light, or ‘zigzag’ patterns. Some will experience ‘pins and needles,’ or a tingling sensation in their arms and legs, or difficulty speaking.
Cluster Headache: A more uncommon but potentially extremely unpleasant form of headache is a cluster headache. Typically, they take place in “clusters” or groups of attacks. Usually affecting one eye, the discomfort feels scorching or stabbing. You may have a red eye with a watery discharge and a runny nose. It may occur many times a day and persist for up to three hours.
Sinus Headache: One or both sides of your face may experience pressure in the cheekbones or forehead as a result of a sinus headache. If you press on them or lean forward, these spots may become sore. In addition, you can have a cough, runny or blocked nose, and aching teeth.
Alcohol-Related Headache: An alcohol-related headache is a throbbing pain that intensifies with physical activity.
Dehydration-Related Headache: This type of headache hurts all over your head.
Altitude Headache: This type of headache is characterized by a sharp, throbbing pain that is either concentrated in the forehead or spread across the entire head. Also referred to as “mountain sickness,” it can occur while you ascend or descend. Climbing mountains can leave you with headaches that worsen with activity. Diving may result in a headache, light headedness, dyspnea, or disorientation. A person’s forehead may hurt on one side when they are flying.
Sleep Apnea Headache: On most days of the week, headaches resulting from sleep apnea are experienced upon awakening.
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What causes Headaches?
Primary headaches occur when they occurs without any other reason and are not related to another health issue, whereas secondary headaches are caused by another health issue.
Primary Headache: Large doses of caffeine, skipping meals, dehydration, alcohol—especially red wine—and specific foods—like cheese, citrus fruits, processed meats, and foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG)—can occasionally cause primary headaches.
Other typical triggers include: sleeping too much or too little; poor posture; stress and how to decompress from it; excessive screen time; bright lights; strong odors or loud noises; sexual activity; and, in the case of females, hormonal fluctuations.
Secondary Headache: Acute or chronic sinus infections, eye strain, dental issues, middle ear infections, and medication side effects are common causes of secondary headaches.
Dehydration: A number of potentially dangerous medical conditions, such as aneurysms, high blood pressure, glaucoma, brain tumours, head trauma, meningitis, and stroke, can result in secondary headaches.
When should I see my doctor?
If your headaches are regular and keep you from performing the activities you can typically accomplish, you should consult a doctor. In addition, you ought to visit your physician if you take headache medication more frequently than three times each week. If you have already received a diagnosis for a certain type of headache, consult your physician once more should your headaches change or get worse. Headaches may occasionally indicate a more serious condition.
Consult your physician immediately if you suffer from any of the following symptoms: an intense headache that strikes out of nowhere, a headache that worsens over several weeks, a headache that starts in the morning and doesn’t go away, a headache that follows a head injury, or a headache that wakes you up during the night.
If your headache is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should also contact your doctor right away: fever, vomiting, altered consciousness, neck stiffness, double or blurred vision, dizziness, or seizure.
How is a Headache diagnosed?
Often, your doctor can determine the sort of headache you have by asking you about your symptoms and doing a physical examination. Maintaining a headache journal in the weeks preceding your consultation is beneficial. It can assist you in monitoring the frequency, timing, and potential causes of your headaches.
The following details should be included in your journal: the number of days you get headaches, their intensity, any additional symptoms they may cause, and any possible triggers. It’s critical that you discuss with your doctor how your headache impacts your daily activities, family, job, and other commitments.
Most of the time, no tests are required. However, your doctor may request that you undergo one of the following tests if they believe there could be another health issue causing your headaches: a lumbar puncture, blood tests, a CT or MRI scan of your head, or an eye examination with your optometrist.
A neurologist is a specialty physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Your doctor may recommend that you see one.
How are Headaches treated?
While there’s no magic bullet for headaches, there are a number of useful therapy alternatives that can assist. Try the following if your headaches are mild and don’t happen often: lying down in a quiet, dark room; sleeping; applying a warm or cold cloth to your forehead or back of your neck; going for a walk in the fresh air; drinking some water; stretching your neck muscles; or taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, or paracetamol. However, don’t give aspirin to children under the age of sixteen. Seeing your doctor is a wise first step if your headaches are more severe or frequent. Determining the source of your headache will enable you to determine the most effective treatment.
Reducing stress, avoiding triggers, neck exercises, massages, over-the-counter pain relievers, and additional prescription medications are some possible treatment options. Before determining which medication is most effective for your headache, you might need to try a few different ones.
Can Headaches be prevented?
You can avoid headache triggers and avoid headaches by making lifestyle modifications.
The following are some things you might wish to try: eating a regular, balanced diet and staying away from any trigger foods you’ve discovered; drinking enough water; practicing excellent posture; exercising frequently; learning stress management strategies; obtaining the recommended amount of sleep each night; and avoiding alcohol and caffeine. Numerous therapies and medications for prevention are also available. Ask your doctor if these are suitable for you if you experience headaches on a regular basis.
Headache Complications: “Medication overuse headache” is a condition that some people who frequently take painkillers for headaches may get. This has a feeling akin to a migraine or tension headache. You can get advice on how to take your painkillers safely from your pharmacist or doctor.
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