Headaches

Headaches are a very common and troublesome occurrence and can be quite painful for the individual involved. Usually they are only minor health concerns, and can easily be treated with over the counter pain reducers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

However, if the headaches persist for days, are present with other symptoms and reoccur often you should consult your doctor to make certain there is no underlying problem. The two most common headaches are tension and sinus headaches. Sinus headaches are caused by things like allergies, head colds, and hay fever. Tension headaches are usually brought on by stress, excessive noise, poor posture, too much caffeine, eyestrain the grinding and clenching of teeth at night, and added tension in the scalp and neck muscles. Both of these can be treated with over the counter pain medication. Migraines are much more serious headaches.

OK, you have a headache, which one do you have?

A dull, steady pain that feels like a band tightening around your head, you have a tension headache. These headaches are often accompanied by pain in the neck and shoulders as well.

A steady pain in the area behind your face that gets worse if you bend forward and is accompanied by congestion, you have a sinus headache.

A throbbing pain around one red, watery eye, with nasal congestion on that side of your face, you have a cluster headache.

Throbbing begins on one side, and causes nausea, you have a migraine.

Treatment

As mentioned before both sinus and tension headaches can be treated with mild pain killers, although for some sinus headaches—which usually accompany colds or allergies—your doctor may recommend a decongestant or antibiotic (the antibiotic is not being prescribed for the headache, but for the sinus infection that’s causing the headache) instead.

Other simple ways to help relieve pain are to drink a cup or herbal tea (chamomile, lemon etc), take a nap, or (for tension or migraine headaches) gently massage your face with your fingertips. Do this by gently massaging your temples with a circular motion; repeat in the hollows at the sides of your eyes (by your nose), behind your ears, and over your neck.

When to seek further professional advice

 A severe headache is accompanied by vomiting or other severe symptoms

after a head injury, you are drowsy, with dizziness and other symptoms

MIGRANES

Migraines are the worst most painful sort of headaches. These headaches are fierce and severe and can last for several hours or a couple days. Migraines are caused by the constricting and swelling of blood vessels on one side of the brain, and it is thought that they may be genetic, this, however, is still uncertain.

Signs and Symptoms

Migraines are often preceded by Feelings of nausea and sickness Blurred vision

Flashing lights in front of the eyes

Once they have begun, migraines…

Start as a sharp throbbing pain on one side of the head which may spread as the headache worsens.

The person may become very nauseas which may lead to vomiting

The person may be very sensitive to light, noise, and certain foods.

Treatment

There are many different treatments available by prescription from your doctor. Usually these medications are prescribed when the migraines are very severe or you suffer 2 or more each month. Another thing you can do to help ease the pain is gently massage your face with your fingertips. Do this by gently massaging your temples in a circular motion; repeat in the hollows at the sides of your eyes (by your nose), behind your ears, and over your neck.

People suffering from migraines have identified the following foods and other things which have been found to trigger migraines.

Foods with caffeine (coffee, soda, chocolate)

Citrus fruit

Aged cheese

Processed meat

MSG (food additive)

Red wine

Foods with high levels of magnesium

Missing meals

Stuffy rooms

Dry wind

Changes in season or altitude

Birth-control pills or other hormonal changes

They may also occur after intense emotional periods, such as anger or excitement.

*** Before administering any first aid to anyone outside your family, be aware of your rights and responsibilities: The Good Samaritan Law. ***