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Nearly everyone suffers a headache now and then, but for some 50 million Americans nearly 70 percent of whom are women between the ages of 30 and 50 the experience can be a debilitating and chronic problem. But when is a headache simply a headache and when is it a sign of a more serious condition that may require medical attention? There are a number of different types of headaches that range from being slightly annoying to debilitating. By understanding which type of headache you may be experiencing, you can prepare a defense and stop the pain. The following tips will help to distinguish between various types of headaches and steps to take to alleviate the pain: Tension: Roughly 75% of all chronic headaches are due to tension in the muscles of the head and neck. Poor posture and stress can lead to a throbbing forehead and massive muscle strain at the base of the head and neck. Alleviating these headaches can be as simple as maintaining good posture, regular exercise, taking time to stretch and setting aside 20 minutes each day to sit quietly and practice relaxation techniques. Applying heat to the pain source and massaging the temples with your fingertips may prove helpful. Sinus: Sinus headaches result from built-up pressure in the nasal cavities or vascular nasal blockage above the cheekbones, over the eyebrows and extending into the forehead, all of which are extremely sensitive to touch. When sinus disease is the cause of the headache, it will often be accompanied by fever, ear ringing, eye drainage and facial swelling. In addition to making an appointment with your physician, you can alleviate sinus headaches by applying a warm compress several times a day to the site of the pain, increasing the humidity in the bedroom to stimulate clearer breathing through the nasal passages, inhaling steam slowly to loosen the inflamed sinus areas, increasing fluid intake to encourage hydration and loosen congestion and avoiding cigarette smoke. Migraines: These debilitating forms of headache are recurrent and episodic and characterized by serious throbbing on one side of the head. Migraines usually last several hours and are accompanied by photophobia (sensitivity to light), phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) and nausea. Warning signs include visual disturbances (flashing lights, jagged lines and distorted images) and/or neurologic symptoms including numbness on one side of the body, severe dizziness or difficulty speaking. The best defense is to take notice and avoid any possible aggravating factors such as consuming caffeine, chocolate, MSG, alcohol or foods containing tyramine such as cheese and pickled foods; smoking; or experiencing lack of sleep. If an attack does occur, stop all activity and rest in a cool, dark and quiet place devoid of stimulation to allow the senses to rest until the pain subsides. Cluster: Known to be the most painful of all headaches and occurring more frequently in men, cluster headaches develop suddenly and severely, often during the dream (REM) phase of sleep. In addition to blinding pain, symptoms include excessive tears streaming from one eye, nasal congestion and red eye. Keeping a diary of headaches can be a great tool to pinpoint and identify triggering factors. In addition, it is suggested that women seek immediate medical attention if a headache: • Gets worse instead of better • Occurs three or more times per week • Ensues following a blow to the head • Lasts longer than 24 hours • Is so severe that it interrupts one’s ability to perform daily activities • Is accompanied by dizziness or vision problems or seem unusual in any other way For those who anticipate that their chronic, regularly occurring headaches may cause them to seek care at an emergency room, it is recommended that they keep a letter from their physician on hand that outlines their condition, any recent medical test results, medications and ongoing treatment regimens. By demonstrating that you are receiving treatment for a legitimate, ongoing medical condition, you will stand a much better chance of receiving appropriate and timely care instead of having to wait because someone perceives your visit as “frivolous.” At the same time, those visiting the ER for headache care also must respect the fact that other patients may be experiencing life-threatening conditions which take precedence. Dr. Mona Saint is a board certified OB/Gyn and principal member of Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group in Laguna Hills, one of Southern California’s foremost medical practices dedicated exclusively to treating women. Information: www.ocwmg.comor call 949.829.5500. |
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