Headaches

A headache refers to a pain that occurs in the head. The pain may be experienced in the forehead, temples, back of the neck or towards the
back of the head. Headaches are extremely common and most people experience a
headache at some point in their lives. They can be caused by various factors.
Headaches can be classified into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary
headaches do not occur because of any underlying condition. These include tension
headaches and migraine headaches. Secondary headaches occur due to conditions
such as meningitis, brain tumors and stroke. Withdrawal from caffeine can also lead to a
secondary headache. In some cases a headache may even be indicative of a heart
attack.


Symptoms of Headaches
The symptoms of a headache depend on the type. Signs and symptoms of the
various types of headaches are as follows;
Migraine Headache: A migraine headache causes pain in one or both sides of
the head. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, blurry vision and light
sensitivity may also be experienced. Migraine headaches are quite common
especially in women.
Sinus Headache: This type of headache often leads to a sensation of pressure
in the forehead. The area around the eyes and cheeks may also become
painful. Pain and pressure on the nose bridge is also known to occur during a
sinus headache. Sinus headaches are accompanied by nasal congestion and
nasal discharge. The symptoms can interfere with daily work.
Hormone Headache: These headaches mostly occur in women because of the
hormonal changes they experience. Fluctuations in the levels of estrogen and
progesterone can trigger such headaches. Hormone headaches commonly
occur in pregnant women or those who use oral contraceptives. The headache
leads to pain on one side of the head. Throbbing, nausea, vomiting and
hypersensitivity to light may also occur. Pregnant women often become overly
sensitive also to smells and sounds.
Cluster Headache: This can lead to severe pain in the head and discomfort
around the eyes. Nasal congestion may also occur. Cluster headaches are
known to occur repeatedly after short periods of time. The symptoms may last
for a few minutes or may persist for a few hours.
Tension Headache: The main symptom of a tension headache is a sensation of
tightness in the head. The pain may first occur in the back of the head and
upper portion of the neck. There is also likely to be considerable discomfort in
the area above the eyebrows. The pain may occur on both sides of the head.
Nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity are also likely to be experienced.

Causes of Headaches
Primary headaches are not caused by an underlying disease while secondary
headaches may occur due to various conditions such as injury, tumors or
infections.
The main causes of primary headaches include:
Migraine: Migraines may occur when there is enlargement of a blood vessel.
This also triggers the release of certain chemicals. When a migraine headache
occurs, the temporal artery, which is located beneath the temples, enlarges.
This artery is present outside the skull. This enlargement causes the release of
chemicals and leads to pain, inflammation and further swelling of the artery.
The sympathetic nervous system reacts by triggering symptoms such as
nausea, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. Food absorption also slows down
and there is reduced blood circulation resulting in coldness in the limbs and
increased sensitivity to light.
Tension: These headaches occur due to muscle strain in the neck and head.
Emotional stress can also be a trigger for a tension headache. Such headaches
lead to a steady ache in the sides of the head. Tension headaches may also
occur due to eye strain.
Cluster: These headaches recur over periods of time. They are mostly centered
towards one side of the head. The area around the eye is most affected. The
exact causes for cluster headaches are not clearly understood. Changes in
blood circulation could be involved in the occurrence of such headaches.
Increased blood flow: Caffeine decreases the blood flow in the brain. Regular
coffee drinkers who suddenly discontinue their caffeine intake may experience
headaches because the blood flow in the brain increases.
Secondary headaches may be caused by the following factors:
Viral infections: Headaches commonly occur during viral infections such as the
flu and common cold. The headaches cease once the infection subsides.
Injury: Injuries to the head or neck can also result in headaches.
Brain infection
Tumors
Stroke

Remedies for Headaches
Headaches can be treated with over-the-counter medications. In case you suffer
from persistent or recurring headaches, it would be best to consult a doctor, as
this could be indicative of a more serious underlying condition. There are several
natural remedies for headaches, but you should keep in mind that most natural
methods of treatment are unreliable and not backed by scientific research. While
some of these remedies could help, others may actually aggravate the condition.
Here are some of the most common natural cures for headaches:
Herbal remedies and nutritional supplements are known to help in curing
headaches. The herb, feverfew and nutrients such as riboflavin and magnesium
are especially popular as headache remedies.
Biofeedback is a process in which biological functions such as blood
circulation, blood pressure and heartbeat are regulated. It is known to help in
relieving tension headaches.
One of the best ways to cure a headache naturally is to engage in relaxation
therapy. You can do this in various ways such as deep breathing and
meditation. These are helpful when done regularly.
Hypnosis is another alternative treatment for chronic headaches. It enables the
therapist to get a glimpse into the individuals subconscious mind and identify
anxieties or other triggers of stress and tension. However hypnosis is
influenced by the individuals responsiveness to the process.
In the practice of acupuncture, thin needles are used to stimulate various
points on the body. This in turn stimulates the nervous system and enables the
release of hormones and chemicals which improve mood and diminish the
sensation of pain. Acupuncture is known to be helpful in treating migraine and
tension headaches.
Massage therapy can also be used to relieve headaches as it helps to relax the
head, neck, shoulders and back muscles.
Aromatherapy makes use of different essential oils. Oils such as lavender,
chamomile, peppermint and rosemary induce a sense of relaxation and thus
help to reduce pain and discomfort.
A common cause of headaches which is often ignored is dehydration. Drinking
a tall glass of cool water will help to relieve pain.
You can also alleviate a headache by taking a warm shower. Allow the water to
stream down the neck and shoulders. This helps to relax the muscles and
enhances blood flow. You can also make use of aromatherapy soaps or body
washes. You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to bath water
and soak in it for some time.
Cold packs are one of the best home remedies for headaches. Place the pack
over the affected area and keep it there for about ten minutes. This will help to
reduce inflammation and relieve pain. You can use an ice pack or a towel
soaked in cold water.
In many cases a headache occurs when your body is exhausted. When this
happens, the best to obtain relief is to rest for a while, lie down and close your
eyes for some time.
Calcium supplements help to improve blood flow and alleviate pain by relaxing
the muscles. Your doctor may prescribe calcium and magnesium supplements
as these are more effective in treating headaches.
Exercise helps to improve blood circulation and ensures a better supply of
oxygen to the body. Doing simple exercises before and after a headache is
beneficial. In order to prevent headaches from occurring, make it a point to
exercise regularly.

Diet for Headaches
Certain foods may trigger a headache. Different foods produce different reactions
in people. Therefore it is a good idea to pay close attention to your diet. Write
down the foods you consume on a daily basis. Foods that seem to be causing
adverse reactions in the body should be removed from the diet. The following
foods are common headache triggers. It is best to avoid eating these foods if you
feel they are triggering headaches.
Cheese
Wine
Caffeine
Cold cuts
Headaches may also occur when you skip your meals. This is due to the drop in
blood sugar levels. The best way to prevent such headaches is to eat your meals
on time. You can even divide your meals into smaller portions and eat them
frequently during the day. This will keep your metabolism steady and will also
regulate your blood glucose levels. It is also important to eat balanced, healthy
meals so that you dont suffer from any nutritional deficiencies.
Suggestion for Headaches
Tension headaches which occur due to muscle strain can be treated through
chiropractic manipulation. Studies have shown that manipulating the spine may
even be beneficial in the long term and has fewer side effects than medication.
This type of therapy may be helpful for those involved in jobs that require
repetitive movements or sitting in one position for long periods of time.
References
1. Collin S Karmody, Alternative therapies in the management of headache and
facial pain, Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, Volume 36, Issue 6,
December 2003, Pages 1221-1230, ISSN 0030-6665, 10.1016/S0030-
6665(03)00119-1.