Headache is defined as a pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. Headaches are extremely common. Most headaches aren'tnthe result of a serious illness, disappear on their own (with a little time) or with the help of mild pain relievers. But some may result from a life-threatening condition requiring emergency care. Children can also have headaches, and research shows that before puberty, headaches are more common in boys, but after puberty. Adult women experience more headaches than adult men, and they're often linked to a woman's menstrual cycle. With advancing age,both women and men tend to have fewer, less severe headaches.
Headaches are generally classified by cause, and the symptoms that comes along with it. Thr headache symptoms can help your doctor determine its type and the appropriate treatment that’s most likely to help and even try to prevent them. Headaches can be classified as primary and secondary.
PRIMARY HEADACHES
A primary headache is caused by overactivity or problems with pain-sensitive structures in your head. A primary headache isn't a symptom of an underlying disease and usually are treated with rest and over-the-
counter medications for pain. Common primary headaches are:
1. TENSION HEADACHES: Also called stress headaches or chronic daily
headaches, Tension headaches hes are the most common type of primary headache and most common type among adults and teens. It occur more commonly among women than men. It generally cause a constant pressure or a dull ache that affects the entire head, it begins slowly in most cases, , with the ache usually focused above the eyes. There's a feeling of tightness across the forehead or at the back of the neck. They cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over time.
2. MIGRAINE HEADACHES: These are the second most common type of
primary headache. They are often described as pounding, throbbing pain. They affect children as well as adults. Before puberty, boys and girls are affected equally by migraine headaches, but after puberty, more women than men are affected. Pains can last from 4 hours to 3 days and usually
happen one to four times per month. Along with the pain, people have other symptoms such as upset stomach or belly pain, sensitivity to light or
smells nausea or vomiting and loss of appetite.
3. CLUSTER HEADACHES: Cluster headaches are a rare and most severe type of primary headache. This type is intense and feels like a burning or piercing pain behind the eyes, They more often affect men than women and run in families. they tend to happen in groups over a few days, weeks, or months and may disapear for months to years only to come back again.
Major causes of primary headaches are:
-Stress
-Alcohol, particularly red wine
-Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates
-Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
-Poor posture
-Skipped meals
-Sex
-Exercise
SECONDARY HEADACHES
A Secondary headaches are usually a symptom of an injury or disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. Any number of
conditions varying greatly in severity may cause secondary headaches. Patients should seek medical attention. Common types of secondary headaches are:
1. SINUS HEADACHES: They make you feel a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of your nose. The pain usually comes along with other sinus symptoms, such as a runny nose, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and swelling in your face.
2. EXTERNAL COMPRESSION HEADACHES: They are a result of pressure causing headgear.
3. REBOUND HEADACHES: This headaches are caused by overuse of pain
medication
4.ICE PICK HEADACHES: commonly called brain freeze.
5. SPINAL HEADACHES : caused by low pressure or volume of Cerebrospinal fluid, possibly the result of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak, spinal tap or spinal anesthesia)
6. Hormone headaches: Women can get headaches from changing hormone levels during their periods, pregnancy , and menopause. The hormone changes from birth control pills also trigger headaches in some women.
Possible causes of secondary headaches include:
-Flu
-High blood pressure (hypertension)
-Acute sinusitis
-Blood clot
-Overuse of pain medication
-Panic attacks and panic disorder
- Ear infection
-Brain aneurysm
- Brain inflammation
-Concussion
-Medications
- Stroke
-Hangover
-Dehydration
- Meningitis
- Pressure from tight headgear, such as a helmet or goggles
-Brain tumor
- Toxoplasmosis
-Carbon monoxide poisoning
-Dental problems and more.
No comments:
Post a Comment