COMMON MEDICINE » Headaches

VASCULAR HEADACHE

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:10:10 +0000

There are 3 types of vascular headaches – migraine, cluster and caffeine.

1. MIGRAIN HEADACHE

SYMPTOMS AND DURATION OF MIGRAINE
A classic migraine is often proceeded by warning signs (the aura) such as numbness, blurred and flashes of light. Pain follows within 30 minutes. A common migraine usually comes on without warning. In both types, the pain is throbbing. It may begin around the eye, can affect one or both sides of the head, and lasts from a few hours to three days. Migraines occur most often in daytime.

CAUSES OF MIGRAINE
Nitrate-cured foods; foods containing the amino acid tyramine (among them citrus fruits, mature cheeses, chocolate, alcohol); monosodium glutamate; stress; menopause; menstruation; oral contraceptives; fatigue; skipped meals; changes in altitude.

TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE
Change in diet; biofeed-back; aspirin or paracetamol for mild cases; doctor-prescribed medication for chronic cases.

2. CLUSTER HEADACHE

SYMPTOMS AND DURATION
Occurs in clusters of up to ten headaches in 24 hours, each episode lasting from a few minutes to more than an hour; this pattern can continue for weeks or months. The pain is severe and most often one-sided; it usually begins around one eye and an spread to the temple, cheek or jaw. Cluster headaches occur most often at night.

CAUSES
Unknown. Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol have been implicated.

TREATMENT
Avoiding tobacco and alcohol; in some cases, study therapy.

3. CAFFEINE HEADACHE

SYMPTOMS AND DURATION
Throbbing, two-sided pain, occurring after heavy coffee drinking, or if abstaining, several hours after the last cup.

CAUSES
Excessive coffee consumption; abstinence from coffee.

TREATMENT
Drinking less coffee; coffee or caffeine pills for withdrawal headaches.

TENSION HEADACHE

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:00:49 +0000

SYMPTOMS AND DURATION
A dull, non-throbbing, two-sided pain that can also affect the shoulders and neck. Occurs anytime; duration varies.

CAUSES OF TENSION HEADACHE
Stress; depression.

TREATMENT FOR TENSION HEADACHE
Aspirin; rest; relaxation training; psychotherapy in some cases.

ALLERGY HEADACHE

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:39:04 +0000

SYMPTOMS AND DURATION OF ALLERGY
Squeezing pain o n both sides of the head; begins within six hours of exposure to allergen; duration varies.

CAUSE OF ALLERGY
Allergies.

TREATMENT FOR ALLERGY
Antihistamines; immunotherapy in some cases; avoiding allergens.

HANGOVER HEADACHE

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:36:26 +0000

SYMPTOMS AND DURATION OF HANGOVER HEADACHE
Throbbing, two-sided pain on waking up after heavy drinking.

CAUSES OF HANGOVER HEADACHE
Excessive alcohol consumption.

TREATMENT FOR HANGOVER HEADACHE
Fluids; rest.

ORGASMIC HEADACHE

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:28:38 +0000

SYMPTOMS OF ORGASMIC HEADACE
Two-sided pain, often very severe, during and after orgasm.

CAUSES OF ORGASMIC HEADACHE
Due in part to the hypertension that accompanies orgasm; anxiety.

TREATMENT OF ORGASMIC HEADACHE
Rest; in some cases anti-inflammatory drugs.