Almost all of us know the symptoms of headache. According to studies, 90 per cent of Canadians have experienced the pain, tightness and ache. Almost all of us also know that the majority of headaches come and then are gone, apparently leaving no lasting effect.
Despite being so common, however, there is no one single cause of headaches, which can make their diagnosis and treatment more difficult.
Women seem to experience more headaches than men, and this is thought to be related to cyclic hormone changes. Family history or genetic factors may also play a role because if your parents or siblings experience more headaches, you may as well.
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Age has its influence too. Luckily, as you get older, headaches generally become less common.
About 15 per cent of people with headaches have chronic ones, and 10 per cent have migraines. Migraines arise from a nervous system problem which results in blood vessels in your head becoming sensitive, which in turn causes the migraine pain.
Drugs used to treat migraines act on the nervous system to stop progression of this type of headache. Some drugs like valproate are usually used to treat seizures, some like amitriptyline are usually used to treat depression and pain, and others like propranolol are used to relax blood vessels.
All of these drugs are taken on a regular basis to prevent migraines. Once a migraine has begun, triptan drugs such as sumatriptan which also act in the nervous system are used to stop it.
With migraine, light and noise sensitivity can occur, as can nausea and vomiting. Sometimes an aura or a set of warning symptoms develops in advance of a migraine, creating a window to prepare for the headache. By keeping a diary of your activities and foods, you may be able to identify triggers that may cause a migraine. Then it makes sense to avoid these.
Tension headaches account for about half of all headaches and are related to stress, anxiety and muscle tension. These headaches are often accompanied by neck and even back pain because the muscles are tensed in these locations. Reducing the tension will resolve the problem, but at work or home this may not be easy to do. Relaxation techniques, exercise, and even time management will help.
Headache can also be the result of a sinus infection or congestion. In such cases, treatment with an antibiotic for the infection and/or with a decongestant for the congestion may alleviate these sinus headaches.
Cluster headaches occur in clusters or groups and are not common. If you experience headaches in clusters, you should have them checked-out.
Of course, there are many other common causes of headache. A hangover, not getting enough sleep, skipping meals, exposure to loud noise, fumes, dehydration, an incorrect eye glass prescription, and even smoking cessation can result in headache, all of which can readily be resolved.
Some foods, for example processed meats with nitrates, MSG, red wine, ice cold beverages or ice cream, can produce headaches which stop when you stop ingesting the trigger food.
Headache can also be associated with a head injury. Even if you think the trauma is minor, get it checked out.
As well, a sudden headache can be a symptom of a stroke or a “bleed” in the brain, and a headache that occurs along with fever, nausea, and a stiff neck may be a sign of meningitis.
When headaches are chronic or when they worsen, occur with other symptoms, or are accompanied by seizures or a loss of consciousness, they are a sign that there may be a more serious underlying condition.
Non-prescription pain relievers are suitable for treating headaches. Acetaminophen reduces pain, but remember to not take more than four grams (eight extra-strength tablets) in 24 hours in order to avoid potential liver problems. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetylsalicylic acid or ASA will also stop pain, but can cause stomach irritation and can interact with blood thinners. Stronger pain relievers are combinations that can include narcotics like codeine. These must be used carefully to prevent a rebound headache when you stop them.
Researchers estimate the time lost in productivity due to headache adds up to two hours, 40 minutes for every Canadian every year! And that’s just the average, with some of us suffering less, and some more. If you experience a headache, you are not alone, but do get it treated. You have better things to be doing than suffer that pain.
