One of my main motivations behind the blog is my health.
I happen to suffer from migraines that are mild and periodically strong. Some episodes last a few hours, some can take up to five days non-stop, and your week is like a zombie trance. What are these that plague us so?
Headache pain results from signals interacting between the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. During a headache, specific nerves of the blood vessels and head muscles are activated and send pain signals to the brain. It's not clear, however, why these signals are activated in the first place.
Types of headaches:
There are about 150 types of headaches, some mild, others severe, others chronic and some, one time affair.
Their triggers and treatments will vary. The most common types of headaches are:
There are about 150 types of headaches, some mild, others severe, others chronic and some, one time affair.
Their triggers and treatments will vary. The most common types of headaches are:
Tension headaches: Also called chronic daily headaches or chronic non-progressive headaches, tension headaches are the most common type of headaches among adults and adolescents. These muscle contraction headaches cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over a prolonged period of time.
Many tension headaches take time todevelop following physical or emotional stress but can last for hours, or even days.
This headache tends to form as a result of muscle contraction, and is commonly felt as a band behind the eyes and across the forehead, but the pain can be located anywhere in the head, including on the side or at the back.
It can be accompanied by feeling generally unwell.
Many tension headaches take time todevelop following physical or emotional stress but can last for hours, or even days.
This headache tends to form as a result of muscle contraction, and is commonly felt as a band behind the eyes and across the forehead, but the pain can be located anywhere in the head, including on the side or at the back.
It can be accompanied by feeling generally unwell.
Aneurysm : You will experience a sudden, "thunderclap" of pain. This pain can mimic a migraine or cluster headache and can be accompanied by a stiff neck, double vision, and loss of consciousness. Get immediate, urgent medical assistance.
**In this case, surgery and blood pressure stabilization are the main treatments.
 |
**In this case, surgery and blood pressure stabilization are the main treatments.
Migraines: The exact causes of migraines are unknown. A popular theory is that various triggers cause abnormal brain activity, which in turn causes changes in the blood vessels in the brain. This is called the neurovascular
theory. (my guess why migraine painkillers contain caffeine: to constrict the blood vessels..i stand corrected though)
Genetics plays a role in migraines and there are some forms of migraines that are associated with inherited abnormalities in certain parts of the brain.
Migraine pain is moderate to severe, often described as pounding, throbbing pain (like there is something drilling your head but you cannot touch it). Migraine headaches can last from four hours to three days and usually occur one to four times per month.
Migraines are associated with symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, or odors; nausea or vomiting;
loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain.
stomach upset.
There are visual problems—called "aura"— such as seeing stars, flickering objects, and even loss of vision right before or during an attack. Some people will get panic attacks (like me) and some, a slight fever. The aura may occur a few minutes or an hour before an attack. Some migraines also cause numbness or weakness.
Migraines can be caused by reactions to food(eg dark chocolate, red wine), stressors, hormonal changes, an accident, and for some people, they are inherited.
Migraines require special attention, and you should
seek advice from your doctor, who can help you with medications and other methods to prevent migraines from occurring.
Also, with time, you can learn to detect the aura episodes and use medicine to prevent the migraine attack, or stop it before it becomes severe.
small percentage of migraines include recurrent (cyclic)
gastrointestinal symptoms, vomiting being the most common. Cyclic vomiting means that the symptoms occur on a regular basis, about once a month.
These types of migraines are sometimes called abdominal migraines.
theory. (my guess why migraine painkillers contain caffeine: to constrict the blood vessels..i stand corrected though)
Genetics plays a role in migraines and there are some forms of migraines that are associated with inherited abnormalities in certain parts of the brain.
Migraine pain is moderate to severe, often described as pounding, throbbing pain (like there is something drilling your head but you cannot touch it). Migraine headaches can last from four hours to three days and usually occur one to four times per month.
Migraines are associated with symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, or odors; nausea or vomiting;
loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain.
stomach upset.
There are visual problems—called "aura"— such as seeing stars, flickering objects, and even loss of vision right before or during an attack. Some people will get panic attacks (like me) and some, a slight fever. The aura may occur a few minutes or an hour before an attack. Some migraines also cause numbness or weakness.
Migraines can be caused by reactions to food(eg dark chocolate, red wine), stressors, hormonal changes, an accident, and for some people, they are inherited.
Migraines require special attention, and you should
seek advice from your doctor, who can help you with medications and other methods to prevent migraines from occurring.
Also, with time, you can learn to detect the aura episodes and use medicine to prevent the migraine attack, or stop it before it becomes severe.
small percentage of migraines include recurrent (cyclic)
gastrointestinal symptoms, vomiting being the most common. Cyclic vomiting means that the symptoms occur on a regular basis, about once a month.
These types of migraines are sometimes called abdominal migraines.
Tumor induced headache: This is rare and if you have any suspicions that this is an issue, see your doctor immediately. Some symptoms of a brain tumor might include numbness or weakness of limbs, slurred speech, disturbed vision, epileptic fits, personality changes, or poor balance. It is rare for there to be no other symptom than a headache.
Cluster headaches: The least common but quite severe
primary headache, the pain of a cluster headache is intense and may be described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant.
The pain is so severe that most cluster headache sufferers cannot sit still and will often pace during an attack.
The pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides.
****The term "cluster headache" refers to headaches that have a characteristic grouping of attacks. (it's like they have a season in your head. During a cluster season you are in pain, then the season fades and you are fine - for a while).
Cluster headaches occur one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may last two weeks to three months. The headaches may disappear completely (go into "remission") for months or years, only to recur
primary headache, the pain of a cluster headache is intense and may be described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant.
The pain is so severe that most cluster headache sufferers cannot sit still and will often pace during an attack.
The pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides.
****The term "cluster headache" refers to headaches that have a characteristic grouping of attacks. (it's like they have a season in your head. During a cluster season you are in pain, then the season fades and you are fine - for a while).
Cluster headaches occur one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may last two weeks to three months. The headaches may disappear completely (go into "remission") for months or years, only to recur
Mixed headache syndrome: Also called transformed migraines, mixed headache syndrome is a combination of migraine and tension headaches. Both adults and children experience this type of headache.
Medication overuse headache (MOH): The third most widespread source of headaches is the medication overuse headache, or "rebound headache",
which stems from withdrawal symptoms from long-term use of pain relief medication (usually for tension headaches).
MOH headaches are treatable, just stop using the medication. The symptoms of an MOH headache are often similar to those of tension headaches.
which stems from withdrawal symptoms from long-term use of pain relief medication (usually for tension headaches).
MOH headaches are treatable, just stop using the medication. The symptoms of an MOH headache are often similar to those of tension headaches.
Sinus headaches: Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining and usually occurs with other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and facial swelling.
Acute headaches: these are headaches that occur suddenly and for the first time and have symptoms that subside after a relatively short period of time.
Acute headaches most commonly result in a visit to the
pediatrician's office and/or the emergency room. If there are no neurological signs or symptoms, the most common cause for acute headaches in children and adolescents is a respiratory or sinus infection.
Acute headaches most commonly result in a visit to the
pediatrician's office and/or the emergency room. If there are no neurological signs or symptoms, the most common cause for acute headaches in children and adolescents is a respiratory or sinus infection.
Hormone headaches: Headaches in women are often associated with changing hormone levels that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Chemically induced hormone changes, such as with birth control pills, also trigger headaches in some women.
Chronic progressive headaches: Also called traction or inflammatory headaches, chronic progressive headaches get worse and happen more often over time. These are the least common type of headache, accounting for less
than 5% of all headaches in adults and less than 2% of all headaches in kids.
Chronic progressive headaches may be the result of an illness or disorder of the brain or skull.
than 5% of all headaches in adults and less than 2% of all headaches in kids.
Chronic progressive headaches may be the result of an illness or disorder of the brain or skull.
Allergy or food induced headache: With an allergy induced headache. you'll often have a runny nose and watery eyes as well as the headache, and the
headache can be generalized. It is often treated with anti-histamines.
And if you eat ice cream or drink a cold drink too quickly, you can induce a temporary "brainfreeze", or "ice cream headache" which is severe but passes quickly.
headache can be generalized. It is often treated with anti-histamines.
And if you eat ice cream or drink a cold drink too quickly, you can induce a temporary "brainfreeze", or "ice cream headache" which is severe but passes quickly.
Headache caused by pain, problems, or tension in another part of the body: Headaches can be caused by sinus blockage, a cold, a virus, or fever, coughing, physical exertion, hunger, eyestrain, strained neck or back muscles, arthritis, and by dental problems. In each case, it is essential to get your doctor's examination and advice, as you will probably need wider body treatment and not just a simple focus on the head region.
If you have to wear certain items regularly, such as goggles for swimming, or pull your hair back a lot for modeling or stage work, etc., these can cause headaches in their own right—often the symptoms will be relieved by removing the item or changing your hair styling method.
If you have to wear certain items regularly, such as goggles for swimming, or pull your hair back a lot for modeling or stage work, etc., these can cause headaches in their own right—often the symptoms will be relieved by removing the item or changing your hair styling method.
Accident induced headache :
If you involved in an accident in which your head receives a shock, bump, hit, or bang, you may develop a headache. Post-traumatic headaches can arise as the result of being
in an accident or traumatic situation—these can be extremely difficult to treat and may need the intervention of a specialist trained in psychology or psychiatry.
If you involved in an accident in which your head receives a shock, bump, hit, or bang, you may develop a headache. Post-traumatic headaches can arise as the result of being
in an accident or traumatic situation—these can be extremely difficult to treat and may need the intervention of a specialist trained in psychology or psychiatry.
Like I said, they number up to 150, some general while others are due to specific injury or another issue.
Always consult your doctor if the symptoms persist or seem unusual.
Always consult your doctor if the symptoms persist or seem unusual.
Relieving painkillers can easily be accessed at your pharmacy, but be careful; over-dependence can lead to headaches again.
This is Serenity.
This is Serenity.
More reads...
Athletic Steroids: a.k.a Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
Know your proteins: Whey protein (part C):
Anabolic state, Catabolic state and your Weight
Athletic Steroids: a.k.a Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
Know your proteins: Whey protein (part C):
Anabolic state, Catabolic state and your Weight
No comments:
Post a Comment