Rhonda Harris-Scott
Health Columnist
Do you or someone you know suffer from headache pain? If so, you may be familiar with stories similar to these:
“I have frequent headaches that usually occur when I am stressed and they feel like a band tightening around my head”
“My headaches are usually in my lower forehead, and around my eyes. It is a throbbing sensation that starts off subtle, and then gets stronger.”
“Sometimes they feel as though I have my head in a grip device that some machine is squeezing together.”
“Generally I know that a headache is coming on because my eyes feel slightly strained a short time beforehand, and I feel a bit light-headed. I think my headaches stem from reading extensively.”
“My mother can have up to 2-3 headaches a week unfortunately. My mother alters her diet, goes to therapy and works with her physician with medication and vitamins. She is also trying to learn how to relax. Anyway, she is a challenge, and our whole family had been concerned and affected by her headaches.”
Headaches are a medically defined condition that can cause pain and emotional distress for the sufferer and frustration for friends and family members. Headaches affect millions of Americans each year. They may be caused by tension, dehydration, and fatigue, biochemical imbalances in the brain, hunger, seasonal changes, allergies, and/or a number of other factors. The impact from a headache on one’s life can be huge.
There are two types of headaches. Secondary headaches are usually a symptom of another medical condition. Primary headache consist of migraines, cluster and tension-type. Tension-type headaches are very common and the sufferer can have pain on both sides of the head.
They have been linked to physiological and psychological stress. Cluster headaches usually occur unilaterally over the eye or the forehead. They may last several minutes to hours and be accompanied by watering of the eyes and nose. Millions of Americans have migraine headaches. Some sufferers describe an aura, or a group of symptoms preceding the pain. Migraines are usually felt unilaterally and marked by throbbing pain, sensitivity to sound and light and nausea. The pain may be so severe that the person is debilitated.
A headache sufferer can add to their well being, health and quality of life by making small changes in their lifestyle. Excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks, alcohol and high sodium products may trigger headaches in some. Therefore, eating healthier and regularly may reduce the occurrence of headaches. Since stress in a real factor contributing to headaches, you may want to rest in a quite, cool, dark room to relax. Decreasing stress, incorporating exercise and stretching into your daily routine are also good tips.
There are many non-prescription pain relievers (NSAIDS, aspirin and ibuprofen) that can help the symptoms of headaches You should read the labels and follow directions carefully when using any medications, prescription or non-prescription.
Prescription medications that your doctor can prescribes for severe headaches may be an option. It is very important that you discuss your headaches with your physician because some headaches can be signs of other medical problems. If you have more than one headache a week, you are taking medication everyday to suppress headache pain; your headaches are accompanied by fever or a stiff neck, or occur after a head injury, you should see your physician immediately.
It is important to try several prevention techniques and treatments so that you find one that works best.
02-02-2005
