Headaches

                                                                  

                                                                                HEADACHES

There are several types of headaches. In fact, 150 diagnostic headache categories have been established.However, only few will be discussed here..

Sinus Headache: Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining and usually occurs with other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, redness on the face areas and facial swelling.For  some people it may also associates with fever,joint pains.

Treatment: 1.Antibacterial drugs such as amoxycilin can be take in case of infection.

                    2.Paracetamol can be use for fever.

                    3.Nasal decongestant such as oxymetazoline can be used but do not take it more than   

                    3 days as it can cause rebound congestion.In that case nasal saline spray is better.

                   4.Breathe in steam from a pot on the stove.

       

Cluster headaches : It is not very common but  the most severe.Type of primary headache, the pain of a cluster headache is intense and may be described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant. The pain is so severe that most cluster headache sufferers cannot sit still and will often pace during an attack. The pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides. The term "cluster headache" refers to headaches that have a characteristic grouping of attacks. Cluster headaches occur one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may last two weeks to three months. The headaches may disappear completely for months or years, then have a sudden onset.The pain usually unilateral.It did not cause pain on both side.It is more common for men than women.It is describes as most painful condition in the medical science,worst than childbirth.It causes is not fully understood,yet some theory suggest that its due to the dilation of vessels in brain causes pressure o the 5th cranial nerve(trigeminal).

Treatment:1.It does not response to paracetamol,aspirin nor ibuprofen(NSAId)

                 2.Only prophylaxis way can be used.

                 3.Sumatriptan and lidocain can be used.

Mixed headache syndrome: Also called transformed migraines, this is a combination of migraine and tension headaches. Both adults and children experience this type of headache.

Treatment: Follow the same treatment  below.

Migraines: The exact cause are unknown, although they are related to blood vessel contractions and other changes in the brain as well as inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain. Migraine pain is moderate to severe, often described as pounding, throbbing pain. They can last from four hours to three days and usually occur one to four times per month. Migraines are associated with symptoms such as sensitivity to light(photophobia), noise(phonophoia), or odors; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain. When a child is having a migraine they often look pale, feel dizzy, have blurred vision, fever, stomach upset,always try to locked in a dark room.

Treatment:1.Aspirin or paracetamol

                 2.For nausea and vommiting ,metochlopromide or prochlorerazine can be used.

                 3.For prevention ,pizoifen  or propranolol can be used.

Tension headaches: Also called chronic daily headaches or chronic non-progressive headaches , or pressure  tension headaches are the most common type of headaches among adults and adolescents. These muscle contraction headaches cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over a prolonged period of time.The pain usually bilateral.

Treatment:1.Avoiding those causes.

                  2Paracetamol or asprin 

                  3.Tricyclics such as promethazine and antidepressant.

Acute headaches: Seen in children, these are headaches that occur suddenly and for the first time and have symptoms that subside after a relatively short period of time. Acute headaches most commonly result in a visit to the pediatrician's office and/or the emergency room. If there are no neurological signs or symptoms, the most common cause for acute headaches in children and adolescents is a respiratory or sinus infection.

Treatment: 1.Ibuprofen

Hormone headaches: Headaches in women are often associated with changing hormone levels that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Chemically induced hormone changes, such as with birth control pills, also trigger headaches in some women.

Treatment:1.Avoid those drugs.

                  2.Massage and relaxation.

 Headaches from Eyestrain: .This types of headaches is not severe.It might caused by watching too much television ,using computer for long time,reading under dull light.Sometimes loss of eye sight power also can be the cause.

Treatment:1.Make some stretching,massage,new eyeglasses.

There are many causes for headaches,from mild to severe.Such are,hangover due to alcohol,medication induced headaches from OTC drugs..Whatever it is be sure to consult a doctor to find out what is causing your headaches .

by Lakdhes