It's hard to find someone who has never had at least one headache attack in their life.The headache , which is called “headache” in medical terms, is most of the time without risk to health and simple to prevent when the cause is known.It is a pain or discomfort in the head, scalp or neck or for short pain in the skull . The pain is usually throbbing and of moderate intensity. About 50 to 75% of people suffer from a headache at least once a year.
Some headaches can be very intense and recurring, making the sufferers to think that there is something seriously wrong in their brain.Many may begins to entertain fear,thinking the headache could be a Brain tumors or aneurysms.
There are two groups of headaches
• Primary headaches : example are tension headache, cluster headache and migraine etc. These headaches are not caused by other diseases and whose causes are still under investigations because their cause is not yet well understood.
• Secondary headaches : these are headaches caused by other diseases, such as a tumor, aneurysm, sinusitis or spinal problems.
What are the types of Headaches we have
Tension headache is usually the most prevalent and can be acute or chronic. As the name says, it results from prolonged tension of the cervical muscles (around the neck) and the muscles around the skull.
It causes mild to moderate pain sensations on both sides of the head and the neck muscles tend to be tense. These pains can be accompanied by a feeling of pressure at the back of the eyes.
Tension headaches are mainly due to poor working posture, prolonged use of screens, dehydration, prolonged exposure to the sun
Although not serious, this type of headache can be easily treated with over-the-counter painkillers in pharmacies such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. Be careful however not to abuse it.you should try to relax by doing a scalp massage, taking a hot bath or doing some activity all this can help releave the pain
The duration of the crisis varies greatly. However, in general, it does not prevent the person from carrying out their routine activities. if your headaches are repeated talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Migraine
Migraine is characterized by an intense, throbbing headache, which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sensitivity to sunlight.Migraine affects 7% of men and 18% of women. Migraine is a recurring headache of unknown cause, each lasting four to twelve hours. Headache features include: a half-sided headache, like a throbbing pain, accompanied by a heartbeat or pulse, severe pain, often nausea and vomiting, fear of light and noise; in addition, walking, going up and down stairs, or shaking of the head can exacerbate the headache. Another 10 to 20 percent of patients experience symptoms such as diplopia, blind spots, flickering bright spots, hemiparesis or weakness before and after the headache occurs. A migraine can sometimes be accompanied by blurred vision, flashing lights, abnormal skin sensations (such as tingling), or dizziness. This is called an aura. An aura can occur before or during a migraine attack. An aura begins within minutes and usually fades away within an hour.
Those who have a migraine attack often have to retreat to a quiet and darkened room and lie down because light, noise and movement increase the symptoms.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are extremely rare compared to migraines and tension-type headaches, but their headache characteristics are unique and impressive. Cluster headaches only occur around one eye socket, behind or near the temple. Each headache takes 15 minutes to 180 minutes. The frequency of attacks ranges from once every two days to 8 times a day. The headaches are very severe and the patient is restless. The pain can feel as sharp as a knife cut or tear, and there are specific symptoms of ipsilateral eyeball congestion, swollen and drooping eyelids, tearing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sweating on one side of the face. And because the attacks of headaches are very regular, they are fixed at a certain time of day, and occur at a fixed season in a year, for a fixed number of weeks.
Weather sensitivity headache
When the change in weather causes headaches, this phenomenon is called weather sensitivity. Although scientifically hardly tenable, more people feel sensitive to the weather, especially women. The reason is a lower stimulus threshold of the autonomic nervous system. In particular, changes in air pressure and humidity are named as triggers for headaches, since the body of a weather-sensitive person has problems adapting to these constantly changing conditions without being noticed. However, the operation of the autonomic nervous system can be trained. By simply going for a walk in any weather, the body can gradually get used to strong temperature fluctuations as well as changes in air pressure and humidity.
Drug-induced headache
Those who take certain medications – especially painkillers – too frequently are prone to headaches. This so-called drug-induced pain increases over time to moderate to severe, dull discomfort that occurs on both sides. Nausea or vomiting rarely occurs.
The pain always occurs when the person concerned has taken medication. A vicious circle often develops: For fear of pain, painkillers are swallowed, which then cause the headache in the first place.
As a result, those affected often increase the dose. Other medications, for example some antihypertensives, sometimes trigger headaches (nitrate headaches).
Sinus headache
You will feel pressure or throbbing in the area of your cheeks, eyes and forehead. You may also have facial pain.
Sinus headaches are usually caused by sinusitis - a swelling of the sinuses that is usually caused by an infection. Other symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose , reduced sense of smell, fever , toothache, and yellowish or green nasal discharge.
“Sinus headaches can usually be treated well at home, e.g. By getting plenty of rest, inhaling, taking painkillers and drinking enough water. However, you should see a doctor at the latest if you have had a sinus headache for more than 3 weeks. There are prescription medications that can help you.”
Hormonal headaches
During certain phases of your cycle, you may experience moderate to severe headaches or migraines.
Many women get headaches when their hormonal balance changes. Menstrual migraines can occur a few days before and during the period. The trigger is often the falling estrogen level. The hormonal changes that occur with the approach of menopause or in the first few weeks of pregnancy can also trigger headaches.
Keep a headache diary to help you track your headaches. Note in which phase of the cycle they occur, e.g. Before the start of the period. Lifestyle changes such as Eating balanced diet which are meals containing healthy protein and complex carbohydrates, reducing stress, and regular exercise can help bring hormones back into balance
Talk to your doctor if you think that taking hormones like birth control pills is making your symptoms worse.
Digestive headaches
Headaches are on the forehead and around the eyes, and can be accompanied by gastrointestinal, kidney or bladder disease. Sometimes it is also related to excessive drinking, food allergies and food additives. Find out if you have digestive problems and improve your eating habits.
Causes of headaches
Headaches result from numerous causes. In most cases, the exact trigger cannot be identified. However, the following causes are possible:
lack of sleep
Tension in the neck, shoulder and back muscles
Increased alcohol consumption
Pressure from outside
Flu infections
Dehydration
Overdose of painkillers
Visual defects
high blood pressure
Sunstroke
Low blood sugar level
Injuries to the skull
Stroke
Tumors
Psychosomatic headaches
Headache Symptoms
The main symptom of a headache is of course the pain in the area of the skull. However, depending on the type and intensity of the headache, this can take on very different proportions. And the headache doesn't always appear in the same place. Typical headache symptoms are:
Pain in the neck area
Pain in the temples
Pain in the forehead and behind the eyes
Pain in the crown of the head
Unilateral headache
Pain that is stabbing, throbbing, or throbbing in quality
more rarely also pressure pain or burning headache
Headache and associated symptoms
Some types of headache are accompanied by accompanying symptoms, above all, of course, migraines. But other types of headaches, such as cluster headaches, but also normal tension headaches, can also have unpleasant side effects. These include, for example:
Watery eyes and runny nose, especially with cluster headaches
visual aura, double vision, visual field defects, especially in migraine or secondary headache caused by stroke
Discomfort when chewing, pain in the jaw, especially with tension headaches.
Sometimes also dizziness and circulatory problems, especially if the blood pressure is too high
Nausea
Vomit
increased sensitivity to light, noise and smells
lack of concentration
General fatigue and tiredness
Headache therapy(Treatment)
In headache treatment, the treatment of acute headache attacks is distinguished from preventive treatment. Both attack therapy and preventative treatment must be specifically selected based on the location of the headache diagnosis.
Attack therapy
Over-the- counter painkillers can be very effective for migraines and tension headaches . If analgesics are not sufficiently effective in the migraine attack, migraine drugs (triptans) can be used. There are, several different triptans available on the market, they differ somewhat in terms of duration of action, potency and side effect profile. Antiemetics (e.g. metoclopramide) are also used to treat the nausea associated with migraines . In the case of very strong attacks or pronounced nausea, triptan nasal spray or injections can be used under the skin, which the patient carries out himself with the help of an auto-injector, can be advantageous. It is important to take a sufficient dose of medication at the onset of the attack at an early stage, as this will achieve a better effect.
Preventive treatment.
Preventive therapy should primarily consist of non-drug measures. A regular sleep-wake cycle and regular energy supply with sufficient and healthy meals ensure the energy supply in migraine. Endurance sports, physical therapy exercises and relaxation techniques also work against tension-type headaches.
If non-drug measures are not sufficient and patients are severely affected by headaches, drug prophylaxis is used. Beta blockers, anticonvulsants (medication used to treat epilepsy) and antidepressants are used to treat migraines. Patients with chronic migraines can also be treated with botulinum toxin. If these prophylaxis are not effective, the use of a monoclonal antibody (immunologically active proteins) directed against the messenger substance CGRP or blocking the CGRP receptor can be considered. The prophylactic drugs are selected after the headache disorder has been diagnosed, taking into account any concomitant diseases that may exist. General recommendations for the medicinal prophylaxis of all headache disorders cannot be given. If preventive treatment is necessary for tension-type headache, tricyclic antidepressants are the most commonly used. The preventive treatment of cluster headaches is carried out with lithium; cortisone can also be used for a short time.
Food, and alcohol in particular, can trigger migraine attacks. A special diet avoiding numerous foods is not helpful, instead a healthy, balanced diet is recommended.
Multimodal therapy
For severely affected patients, a multimodal therapeutic approach that combines drug, non-drug, relaxation, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy is most effective. Such therapy concepts are sometimes offered on an outpatient basis, occasionally as a day clinic and also as part of inpatient treatment.
Headache and psyche
The inclusion of psychological treatment approaches in headache therapy results from the bio-psycho-social understanding of the disease. This takes into account the close interaction between physical, psychological and social factors in the development and progression of a headache disorder. The severity of the disease and the extent of the associated impairments can often be significantly reduced by building up favorable lifestyle factors and strengthening the ability to cope with the disease and stress.
Home remedies for headaches
Painkillers are not always necessary for headaches – home remedies can also help sometimes. But what really helps against headaches?
It is not uncommon for headaches to occur because you haven't drunk enough - an effective measure against headaches is therefore often to have a balanced water intake. If that is not enough, treatments with essential oils, cold and also teas are effective.
Cold for headaches
Many patients find cold to be soothing. Therefore, various cooling home remedies sometimes improve headaches.
Cool compresses on the forehead and neck calm the overstimulated brain and are therefore a suitable home remedy for headaches. But other wraps are also sometimes helpful against headaches.
Cool forehead compress
A cooling forehead compress dissipates heat, relieving headaches. The home remedy is easy to use: Place a cloth or washcloth in cold water, wring it out and place it on your forehead. Cover with a second towel and leave on for as long as is comfortable. Repeat if necessary.
Calf wrap
Calf wraps are also sometimes effective against headaches - especially if they are an accompanying symptom of a feverish infection. Soak two cotton towels in cool (not ice cold!) water, wring them out and wrap them around your calves. Cover with a dry cloth and leave on for about ten minutes.
Pulse wrap
Pulse wraps work in a similar way. Place four thin strips of cotton cloth in lukewarm water. The water temperature for infants should be a maximum of five degrees Celsius below the measured body temperature, for older children it can be a little cooler.
Wring out the soaked strips, wrap them around the pulse points on the wrists and ankles and cover each with a dry towel. Leave on for ten minutes, then renew twice (i.e. put on the wrist wraps three times in total).
Cold grain pillow
A cold grain pillow (cherry stone pillow) on the forehead and neck is also suitable for headaches. It cools long and continuously. Place the pillow in a plastic bag and place in the freezer for an hour. Then place it on your forehead and let it act as long as the cold is comfortable.
Cold shower
Cold showers on the arms or legs or on the face can also be used as a home remedy for headaches.
Arm and leg affusion
Cold affusion on the arms and legs stimulate circulation and blood flow and sometimes relieve headaches. Cold water with a temperature of around 18 degrees is most suitable. Perform cold affusion about once a day.
Start the water jet in the shower on your hand or foot and slowly work your way down the outside of your arm or leg to your shoulder or knee. Then hike back towards the hand or foot on the inside. Then wipe off the water (do not dry).
Facial affusion
With the upper body bent forward, let cold water (about 18 degrees) flow over the right temple, forehead, left temple and then back again. Then run the water jet up and down the right and left half of your face three times. Finally circle the face three times. Wipe off water or dab lightly, do not dry.
Essential oils relieve headaches
Various essential oils are a quick relief for headaches for some sufferers.
Sometimes invigorating and cooling oils of peppermint, lavender, rosemary or tea tree drive away headaches.
Forehead rub
A forehead rub with diluted lavender, tea tree or peppermint oil has a relaxing effect and thus relieves headaches. To do this, rub the forehead (and possibly temples and neck) gently with a few drops of diluted oil. After that it's best to rest.
Foot rub
A foot rub with diluted lavender or rosemary oil promotes restful sleep, relaxes, warms cold feet and sometimes relieves headaches. To do this, warm a few drops of oil in your hands and rub gently on the foot from the ankle to the toes for three to five minutes without much pressure.
Perform once or twice a day, preferably after waking up or before going to bed.
The essential oil must not get in the eyes or on the mucous membranes. Essential oils are also not suitable for babies and children - there is a risk of dangerous reactions.
Horseradish Pad
Another home remedy for headaches is a horseradish pad . Put a tablespoon of freshly grated horseradish on a gauze compress. Wrap and tape the compress. Place the horseradish pad on your forehead or carts for a few seconds to a maximum of four minutes.
Then rub the reddened skin area with vegetable oil (e.g. olive oil) and rest for 30 minutes to an hour. It is advisable to do a horseradish pad only once a day.
The ingredients irritate the mucous membranes. Therefore, cover your eyes with Vaseline and cotton pads.
Coffee and tea for headaches
In some cases, a cup of coffee seems to help with a headache. The caffeine it contains stimulates the circulation, widens the vessels in the brain and thereby increases blood circulation. That eases the pain. Especially strong coffees like mocha or espresso should help. Coffee with a squeeze of lemon is also said to drive away the pain.
Similar to coffee, tea is said to have a soothing effect on headaches. Black tea also contains caffeine and thereby widens the constricted blood vessels in the brain.
Melissa tea
Lemon balm tea is also sometimes used as a home remedy for headaches. To do this, pour hot water over an infusion of dried loose leaves or tea bags and let it steep for ten to 15 minutes. You can drink a cup of lemon balm tea two to three times a day.
Tips for prevention
Tips for prevention or to collaborate with treatment Some triggering factors are not modifiable, such as climate change and the odors around you, but you can put into practice the precautions listed below to reduce crises:
Avoid self-medicating; See a neurologist if the pain is acute or frequent; Be patient and collaborative during treatment. A considerable improvement, with reduction of migraine attacks, can take one to two years;
Practice physical activity regularly; Invest in self-knowledge to be able to identify what triggers the pain for you; Try to eat every three hours. Prolonged fasting triggers pain; Maintain a sleep routine and try to sleep at least seven hours a night;
