New Help for Headaches ~ Bloggerin Info

How to prevent the pain -- or stop the pounding

HEADACHES are among the most common health problems that people complain about their doctors. While scientists do not completely understand their precise cause, researchers have made considerable progress in finding treatments.

The vast majority of headaches---tension type, migraine and cluster --- involve an instability of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. One of the chief culprits may be serotonin. Abnormal levels affect blood vessels round the head and neck, as well as the flow of pain messages into the brain.

While 95 per cent of headaches are not associated with any underlying disease, you shouldn't try to tough it out. "Generally, the earlier you do something about a headache," says consultant neurologist Dr J.D. Bartleson," the better chance you'll have of reining it in."

Here's what you need to know:

1. Tension-type headaches

Doctors used to call this most common form of headache simply tension headaches. Since researchers have found no clear link to stress, they're no called tension type. They can be either episodic (occasional) or chronic (occurring more than 15 days per month).

Symptoms: Pain is felt as a mild to moderate pressure, ache or tightness, generally on both sides of the head. The pain can last from 30 minutes to seven days.

Treatment: Episodic headaches usually respond to over-the-counter painkillers. For chronic headaches, doctors sometimes prescribe muscle relaxants or antidepressant to reduce frequency.

Applying heat or cold to the affected area or gently massaging your temples may also help, as can regular exercise or relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation.

2. Migraine headaches

Although far less common than tension-type headaches, migraines afflict around ten to 15 per cent of people, three quarters of them women. At least ten per cent of sufferers experience a warning sign called an aura -- visual abnormalities such as flashing lights, and, less commonly, numbness or tingling in the tongue, arm or face.

Symptoms: Throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, is often made worse by routine movement, such as walking up or downstairs. Associated symptoms include nausea and sensitivity to light and noise. The pain generally lasts between four and 72 hours.

Treatment: Most people require prescription medication to relieve migraines. A combination of aspirin and the antinausea drug metoclopramide has proved effective.

The new "triptan" drugs work by mimicking serotonin. "I consider triptans breakthrough medications," says Dr. Bartleson. "They reverse the nausea as well as the pain, and they're not habit-forming or sedating."

Avoid migraine triggers such as certain foods (chocolate, aged cheese, red wine, beer, and MSG), stuffy rooms and perfume.

3. Cluster headaches

Perhaps the most severe, this type is relatively rare. Nine out of ten sufferers are men; many are heavy smokers and drinkers. Cluster headaches come in groups -- typically at the same time each day --- and last for days, weeks or months, then disappear for months or years.

Symptoms: A sudden series of excruating headaches on one side of the head. Other symptoms on the painful side may include a stuffed, runny nose, a droopy eyelid and a watery eye. A typical attack lasts from 15 minutes to three hours.

Treatment: Sometimes inhaling pure oxygen at the first sign can stop the headache. Some people gain relief by applying a local anaesthetic in the nostril on the affected side, or taking the drug sumatripan. Drugs such as ergotamine and verapamil can help prevent the headaches.

Quit smoking and don't drink while you're having the headaches. Also avoid high stress or strenuous exertion during these periods.

Call your doctor if:

1. You suffer a sudden onset of headaches, particularly if you are over 50.
2. You need more headache medication.
3. Your headache is accentuated by exertion such as coughing, bending or sexual activity.
4. Your headaches differ in character from those you've had before.
5. You're experiencing headaches of disabling severity.

Don't overdo the painkillers

Many people with chronic headaches suffer from analgesic rebound, a phenomenon in which pain returns --- possibly worse than before -- after the analgesic wears off. Unaware that this can happen, sufferers pop more painkillers. It can take months to undo the effects.