HEADACHES

HEADACHES

According to MediLexicon's medical dictionary, Headache means "Pain in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve". In fact, there are several different types of headaches. Headache is also known as Cephalalgia. Cephalalgia comes from the Greek kephale meaning "head", and algos meaning "pain". Some of the causes of headaches are benign while others can be medical emergencies. Headaches rank among the most common pain complaints.

HEADACHES

Common types of headache:

HEADACHES

Each of the links below goes to a medical dictionary definition on www.medilexicon.com.

HEADACHES

benign exertional headache

bilious headache

blind headache

cluster headache

coital headache

drug-induced headache

fibrositic headache

histaminic headache

Horton headache

ice pick headache

idiopathic stabbing headache

medication-overuse headache

migraine headache

migraine without headache

muscle contraction headache

nodular headache

organic headache

posttraumatic headache

reflex headache

sick headache

spinal headache

symptomatic headache

tension headache

tension-type headache

thunderclap headache

vacuum headache

vascular headache

HEADACHES

Tension headaches

HEADACHES

Tension headaches are the most common, and generally affect adults and adolescents - they can affect younger children, but this is not common. During a tension headache, there may be muscle tightness in specific parts of the head, scalp and/or neck - these areas are uncomfortable and often painful. Some studies, however, have indicated that muscle tightness is not as common among sufferers as was once believed. 

HEADACHES

People who suffer from tension headaches say they feel like a tight band or vice on the head. The pain is usually dull, and covers most of the head. 

HEADACHES

It was thought that tension headaches were mainly caused by tension that builds up in the scalp and neck muscles as a result of stress, depression, anxiety, or a head injury. However, the exact cause or causes are unknown. Recent research indicates that there does not appear to be any significant increase in muscle tension in people known to suffer from tension headaches. 

HEADACHES

Experts today believe that a change in certain brain chemicals may be the main factors that contribute to tension headaches. These chemicals are the ones that help nerves communicate, such as serotonin, endorphins, and several others. We are not sure why the levels of these chemicals change. We suspect that the fluctuations activate pain pathways to the brain and probably undermine our ability to suppress pain.

What causes tension headaches?

HEADACHES

These factors are thought to contribute to tension headaches:

Stress

Depression

Anxiety

Bad posture

Staying in one position for a long time

Working in an awkward position for a long time

Clenching one's jaw

Some people believe food allergies may be the main factor for some people. However, further studies are needed.

HEADACHES

What is the treatment for tension headaches?

HEADACHES

If you keep a diary it may help you identify your headache triggers. When a headache starts write down when it started, include notes of what you drank and ate during the previous 24 hours. Note down how long you had slept, whether it was a good night's sleep, when you slept. Record in your diary what was happening in your life immediately prior to the onset of your headache - were you under unusual stress? Write down how long the headache lasted, and if you can, what made it stop. 

HEADACHES

Some people find that taking a shower helps. While one person may benefit from a hot shower, others may find a cold one gives better results. 

HEADACHES

Some simple changes in lifestyle may reduce, and sometimes completely eliminate the recurrence of headaches. Getting enough sleep, doing plenty of exercise, stretching the neck and back muscles regularly may be all you need. 

HEADACHES

Are you eating properly? A good diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, minerals and fiber will help you stay in good health and might help reduce the intensity and frequency of your headaches. 

HEADACHES

If you suspect your job may be at the root of the problem, try to find ways to make it less stressful - talk to your boss, or human resources manager. 

HEADACHES

If lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques are not enough, OTC (over-the-counter) painkillers will provide relief. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol (acetaminophen -> paracetamol). 

HEADACHES

If the tension headache is chronic (long term) a doctor might find that you are suffering from depression and prescribe an antidepressant. Some patients find that metaxalone (Skelaxin), a non-sedating muscle relaxant helps. In the most severe cases patients have improved when given a combination of butalbital and acetaminophen (Fioricet) or butalbital and aspirin (Fiorinal). 

HEADACHES

If you are lucky enough to have a good trainer, yoga or Tai Chi have been known to treat many types of headache effectively. It is crucial that the therapy is done with a well trained expert.

HEADACHES

What is the outlook? Will I get better?

HEADACHES

In the majority of cases, tension headaches respond well to treatment. They are unpleasant but are not harmful if they do not occur as a symptom of another condition. For treatment to be effective it is important that the patient adheres to the doctor's instructions. Non-compliance or non-adherence is one of the most common reasons for treatment failures - not only for tension headaches. 

HEADACHES

When tension headaches occur as a symptom of another condition they will generally get better when that underlying condition is treated successfully. If painkillers are used too often and for too long there is a risk the patient may develop rebound headaches. 

HEADACHES

Written by Christian Nordqvist 

Copyright: Medical News Today