By Dr. Soniya Tambe
Headaches are a fairly common problem that affects a large number of people. A majority of people be suffering from headaches at least once in their life. Certain causes are harmless, while certain causes could be harmful. The term headache is generally used to describe primary headaches where there isn’t a specific cause identified after evaluation. It is also known as secondary headaches in which the causes include high BP, Sinusitis, Infection blood clots in the brain, traumatic headaches and tumours, etc. Recognizing, evaluating and the appropriate treatment of headaches are essential for improving the health and quality of life of patients.
Tension headaches Tension type headache is a mild to moderately severe headache that is often described as a feeling similar to an encircling band over the forehead. It is the most frequent type of headache.
Migraine headache: Migraine headache can be a an extremely painful headache that can be very difficult to manage. It is a condition that occurs on one side of the head, and lasts for up to 472 hours until it is managed with medications. It is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, as well as sensitive to sound and light. The most common triggers are missing meals, sleeping less drinking, alcohol consumption and smell. They also experience sensitivity to sunlight.
Cluster headache: It’s often referred to as suicidal headache due to the severity of the pain. It happens behind the eyes and is it is described as being stabbed inside the eye. It is accompanied by redness of the eyes, and a swelling of the eye and the nose.
Post-traumatic headache: It is a result of any head or neck injury. It begins 7 days after the injury, and can last for until a few months. The location is in on the front on the top of your head. or side of the neck, or the front of the head.
Medication-related headaches Patients with chronic headaches are more likely to use frequently painkillers, which can cause headaches that are caused by excessive use.
Sinus headaches are characterized by pain in the cheeks and forehead. There is often a continual pain. could be fever as well and nasal block. It can also be Mucosal post-nasal drip.
Headache symptoms that are alarming Certain symptoms of headaches are known as warning signs. If you notice these signs, patients require immediate care and treatment. New onset headache, symptoms of extremely high BP More than 50 yearsold, headaches during pregnancy, headaches that wakes you up from sleep or the double vision, weakness in the legs and hands seizures.
Treatment for Headache:
The treatment of headaches can be preventive or abortive. When abortive therapy is used, the patient will take medications when symptoms start to appear. When it is a preventive therapy, the patient will take a medication to avoid the occurrence of headache. The medicines must be custom-designed for each patient according to their gender, age and associated symptoms, co-morbidities and co-morbidities.
How to deal with headaches occurs: Go to an area of quiet and dark to drink a glasses of fluid, lay down, place a cold cloth on your forehead, and take prescription or over-the-counter medicine for headaches, as directed by your physician and sleep.
When to go to the hospital In the event of a sudden and intensely severe headache you’ve ever experienced, headache during exercise and a persistent headache for longer than 3 days, stiff neck, fever seizures, neurologic problems, headaches following trauma or pregnancy. Patients with these conditions may require tests including neuroimaging tests to rule out the possibility of serious causes.
(The author is (The author is a Neurologist and Epileptologist at Kauvery Hospital Electronic City (Bangalore). Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of FinancialExpress.com. )
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