Headaches/migraine/Tension headache
Headaches
Everyone has mild headaches from time to time, but if you have severe pain or headaches that happen a lot, you probably want to find relief. You will need to experiment to determine the cause of your pain because there are numerous causes of headaches that vary from person to person. Fortunately, the majority of headaches are not caused by other medical conditions but rather are primary headaches. Cluster, tension-type, and migraine are the three types that occur most frequently.
A clear headache is characterized by a sharp, piercing pain that only affects one part of the head, usually the eye. Headaches of the migraine and tension-type are much more common. Because pain can be brought on not only by stress but also by poor posture, depression, and even sexual activity, tension headaches are now known as "tension-type" headaches. Low serotonin levels have been linked to so-called "tension" headaches in recent research.
Causes
A headache's cause is frequently elusive. Although it may appear as though your head is pounding without cause, pain always has a reason. Keep a log to find out what's causing your headaches. Keep a record of each headache's beginning and end dates, location, type, and severity, as well as any potential triggers (such as food, stress, menstrual cycle, medication, etc.).
Among the many factors that can cause headaches.
Hormonal factors
Hormonal factors, such as menstruation, Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Foods with nitrates, such as hot dogs Alcohol Some medications Certain foods, including red wine, chocolate, aged cheeses, pickled foods, nuts, and aspartame Changes in the weather, altitude, or time zone Symptoms Just as the causes of a headache vary from person to person, so do the symptoms and severity of pain. Based on your symptoms, medical professionals frequently can identify the type of headache you suffer from.
Symptoms
Migraine symptoms include:
pulsing or throbbing quality that begins with severe pain on one side of the head and spreads to both sides over several hours, can be accompanied by nausea or vomiting or may be preceded by visual changes like an aura of zigzag lines or flashes of light. Light and noise can make the headache worse while getting enough sleep tends to alleviate symptoms.
Treatment
An ice pack held over the eyes or forehead Heating pad set on the low or hot shower to relax tense neck and shoulder muscles Sleep, or at least resting in a dark room Taking breaks from stressful situations Regular exercise to increase endorphin levels and relax muscles. constant, dull ache on both sides of the head. Exercising can help you feel better even if you already have a headache. However, vigorous exercise may cause headaches.
Both tension and migraine headaches can be alleviated by taking aspirin, acetaminophen, or other over-the-counter pain relievers from time to time.
Prescription medications for severe headaches * Taking too many painkillers can make headaches more frequent. If taken excessively, the majority of painkillers used to treat headaches can result in "analgesic rebound headaches."
Prevention
Be aware of the headache's early symptoms to try to stop it as soon as it starts.
If you smoke, stop immediately.
Avoid skipping meals.
Reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine (reduce your caffeine intake gradually as withdrawal can cause headaches).
Eliminate all prescription and herbal remedies.
Keep a regular schedule for eating and sleeping.
Regularly exercise.
Improve your posture, possibly by adjusting your workstation, by incorporating relaxation activities like meditation, yoga, stretching, and massage into your daily routine.
When should I see a medical professional?
Although most headaches do not indicate underlying medical issues, you should see a doctor if your headaches change in nature, change in location, or become more severe, frequent, or intense.
If your headaches... get worse and hurt the most early in the morning while you're still in bed, see a doctor right away.
occur at least three times per week.
start to experience nausea or vomiting.
occur following a head injury, particularly if they become worse.
appear to be brought on by physical activity like exercising, having sex, or coughing.
Symptoms include green or brown nasal discharge and pain in the sinuses on the cheeks or around the eyes are accompanied by numbness in an arm, leg, or parts of the face, dizziness, difficulty speaking, and vision loss.
Acquire a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit and appear suddenly. Acetaminophen and aspirin do not help, especially if the patient experiences neck pain or stiffness.
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