Headache Causes and How to Treat Head Pains

Learn how to diagnose your head pain so you can cure your headache and get back to
work
BY NANCY DUNCAN (/AUTHOR/NANCY-DUNCAN) December 5, 2005

ADVERTISEMENT

Featured Stories
Could This Be The #1 Trick
to Reverse Hearing Loss
(Do
HEALTHNEWSTIPS.TODAY |
SPONSORED
(http://great.findingnow.info
/f572ca06-ebec-4f5c-
a688-8a295125cd50?utm_content=I
nspiring+Advice%3A+Simple+Metho
d+To+Restore+Your+Hearing+In+1
4+Days+%5BWa&
utm_term=004d65f0c19fa8502b36f6
eed45a5f9328&
Doc_title=Could+This+Be+The+%2
31+Trick+to+Reverse+Hearing+Los
s+%28Do+This+Tonight%29&
newad=2&
utm_adid=00992f01fd7f0d76be9c59
192680ab2eda&
utm_doc_id=00b573e1dee7bb53865
1b8016743e9f54d&
utm_new=004d65f0c19fa8502b36f6
eed45a5f9328_&utm_cam=IntlDskt)

SHANE HARRISON
Depressed Client Hair
Dresser
Headaches (http://www.womenshealthmag.com/yoga/yoga-to-soothe- WOMEN'S HEALTH

headaches) are life's yellow lights. They don't really stop you, they just
slow everything down from your productivity to your husband's (http://www.womenshealthmag.com

(http:
wandering hands. The biggest problem, though, is that most of us think /health/hair-dresser-gives-
our only option is to accept the pounding pain, try to treat it, then wait it depressed-client-amazing-
//ww

(http:
out. But you have more options for treating and preventing the most new-style?internal_recirc=outbrain_a
w.fac common skull-busters around. rr)
//pin

(https
If You Don't Play This Game
eboo
terest Locate It Throbbing, pulsating pain (think any Duran Duran song) that's Now, You'll Hate Yourself
://twi

(https only on one side of your head. Often with nausea or light sensitivity. VIKINGS | SPONSORED
k.co
.com Diagnose It If it's localized on one side, it's probably a migraine. That
tter.c
://pl (https://plarium.com
(mail occurs when nerves in the brain stem become overexcited (from almost
/play/en/vikings
/pin/ anything skipping meals to stress). And that leads to dilation of blood
us.go /009_navy_hybrid_g?adCampaign=1
to:?s vessels in the brain causing the pain. About 15 percent of people with
/shar
creat 02600&adPixel=outbrain&
/inte migraines get an "aura" right before. "You may see wavy or jagged lines,
ogle.c
ubjec _#buildings)
dots, or flashing lights," says Lisa K. Mannix, M.D., a headache
er.ph
e
nt (http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/health-warning-signs) IBS Symptoms
om
t=He
expert in Ohio. WOMEN'S HEALTH
p?s=1
/butt
/twee
/shar Stop It The average length of a migraine is about 24 hours. Imitrex or
adach
00& Maxalt are a class of prescription tryptophans that work by decreasing
on
t?text (http://www.womenshealthmag.com
e?url
e%20 the constriction of blood vessels, says Merle L. Diamond, M.D., of the
u=htt /health/irritable-bowel-syndrome-
/?url Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.
=Hea
=http symptoms?internal_recirc=outbrain_
Cause
p arr)
=http Locate It Mild pressing or tightening pain on both sides of your head.
dache
%3A
s%20 Diagnose It About 80 percent of adults experience tension headaches. Trying to Lose Weight? Here
%3A
%3A is Our Pick for Best Weight
%20C And they're the kinds that can occur anywhere the forehead, temples,
%2F
and% TOPDUST | SPONSORED
the back of the head, even the upper neck. This pain occurs when your
%2F
%2F
auses muscles contract. That tension can be caused by stress or anxiety the
%2F (http://i.geistm.com
20Ho chemical changes in your brain in turn cause the muscles to contract; or
%2F
%2F /l/571e5bb835e8a1e83013da2f?bcid
%20a
www. it can be in response to physical changes, like holding your head in the
=585828662c20d43ef221b294&
 same position at the computer for too long. hcid=58582acf2c20d43ef221b2eeut
nd%2
www.
wom
w%2
Stop It Start with ibuprofen. But try to find the cause, like changes in m_campaign=OB_T_Review_Topdust
sleep patterns, caffeine, or other lifestyle triggers. For example, foods &utm_source=geistm)
enshe
0to%
wom
0Ho
containing the chemical tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish)
enshe
althm
20Tr
w%2 have been shown to cause headaches. Keep a journal that matches your
The Best Diet Plan for
headaches to your behavior patterns.
Weight Loss: Your 7-Day
althm
0to%
ag.co
eat% WOMEN'S HEALTH
Locate It Throbbing pain that feels similar to a migraine, but the pain is
20He
ag.co
m%2
20Tr spaced out now that you sit down and think about it every 4 weeks.
(http://www.womenshealthmag.com
Diagnose It During your menstrual cycle, your estrogen level can fall
/weight-loss/best-diet-plan-
Fheal
ad%2
m%2
eat% faster than Jenny McCarthy's fame. Researchers believe that hormone
for-weight-
fluctuation causes blood vessels to dilate, triggering menstruation
0Pain
20He
Fheal
th%2 loss?internal_recirc=outbrain_arr)
migraines, Dr. Diamond says. In fact up to 60 percent of migraines in
Recommended by
women are menstrual-related.
ad%2
Fdiag
th%2
s& (http://www.outbrain.com/what-
Stop It One or two days before the onset of regular menstrual
symptoms, take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen. is/default/en)
0Pain
Fdiag
nose-
amp;
That will help decrease the constriction of blood vessels and reduce the
nose-
head
body
s& pain associated with menstrual headaches. For more severe cases, see a
doctor for a prescription for a migraine-targeted tryptophan drug.
=Lear
url=h
aches
head
Locate It Pain that starts right above your nose and radiates up. FEAR OF
n%20
%3Fu
aches
ttp Diagnose It Seasonal allergy headaches usually come with a side order
of nasal congestion, sneezing, and watering eyes. The headache occurs
MISSING OUT?
DON'T MISS OUT ANYMORE!
%3Fu
tm_s
%3A
how when the nasal passages get irritated either by food or from airborne
allergens like molds, pollen, and trees.
ource
%20t
tm_s
%2F SO THIS HAPPENED
Stop It An OTC anti-histamine like Claritin should stop the headache by Get the days top news and
trending stories so you dont miss a
stopping the reaction to the allergen. But if your case is more severe, see thing.
o%20
ource
%3D
%2F
a doctor, who may prescribe a nasal cortisone spray to help address the
allergen. Don't double dose on the OTC, though. You may wind up DAILY DOSE
plus.g
www.
%3Df
diagn
%3D Get the latest health, weight loss,
getting a rebound headache. That can come when your body stops fitness, and sex advice delivered
straight to your inbox.
oogle.
acebo
pinte
ose%
wom producing its own pain-killing mechanisms because it's been tricked into
thinking the mechanisms are overloaded.
SUBSCRIBE
enshe
rest.c
ok.co
20yo
com
Youll be thanking us later ;)
Locate It Dull ache in your head and neck that builds up during
althm
%26u
ur%2
m%2
om% physical activity. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Privacy Policy (http://www.rodaleinc.com
Diagnose It When your neck muscles contract during rigorous physical /customer-care/privacy-policy/) | About Us
6utm
ag.co
0hea
26ut
tm_ (http://www.rodaleinc.com/content
activity, tension builds up in your head, causing an exertional headache. /about-us)
If it lasts longer than a few minutes (such headaches can last a few
_med
d%20
m_m
m%2
medi hours), an anti-inflammatory should ease the pain. Also be aware that
dehydration can cause headaches, too, which could be the source of pain
ium%
Fheal
um%
ediu
pain
that appears during exercise.
Stop It If you're susceptible to headaches during sex or exercise, take an
%20s
th%2
m%3
3Dso
anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen about an hour before the activity (nice
o%20
Dsoci
Fdiag
cial% foreplay, huh?). And if the headaches happen often, see a doctor to rule
out potentially dangerous neurological problems like tumors or
you%
nose-
al%2
26ut aneurysms, Dr. Mannix says.

m_ca
6utm
head
20ca

n%20
_cam
aches
mpai

%3Fu
paign
gn%3
cure

%3Ds
%20y
tm_s
Dsha

hareb
ource
rebut
our%

%3Dt
utton
20he
ton&
ton)

p[ima
.co%2
adach
&

e%20
6utm
medi
ges]

[0]=h
_med
and%
a=htt

ium%
20get
ttp
p

%20b
3Dso
%3A

cial%
ack%
%2F

26ut
20to
%2F

www.
m_ca
%20

mpai
work
wom
enshe
gn%3
http

althm
Dsha
%3A

rebut
ag.co
%2F

m%2
ton&
%2F

Fsites
www.
via=

wom
%2F

enshe
wom

enshe
althm

althm
ag.co
ag)

ag.co
m%2

Fheal
m%2

Ffiles
th%2

Fdiag
%2Fi

nose-
mage

s%2F
head

aches
0511-

%3Fu
diagn

tm_s
ose-

ource
head

%3D(
ache-

0484.
direct

)%26
jpg&

utm_
descr
p[titl

iption
e]=H
medi

=Lear
eadac
um%

n%20
he%2
3De

0Cau
mail
how

%26u
%20t
ses%

o%20
tm_c
20an

d%20
diagn
ampa

ose%
ign%
How

%20t
3Dsh
20yo

o%20
arebu
ur%2

Treat
0hea
tton)

d%20
%20

Head
pain

%20P
%20s

o%20
ains&

you%
p[su

mma
20ca
 Tags: CONDITIONS (/TAGS/CONDITIONS)
n%20
ry]=L

earn
cure
Sponsored Stories Recommended by (http://www.outbrain.com/what-is/default/en)
%20h
%20y

our%
ow%

20he
20to

adach
%20d
Browse Faster & Safer with This List of Top 10 Highest Paying The Reading Habits Of Highly Hair Care Tips for Seniors
e%20
iagno
All-In-One Tracker Blocker & Job Without a Degree Successful People GRISWOLD HOME CARE
VPN SCHOOLPORTALS BLINKIST MAGAZINE (http://www.griswoldhomec
and%
se%2
MASHABLE SHOP (http://schoolportals.com.n (https://www.blinkist.com are.gq/blog/hair-care-tips-
(https://shop.mashable.com g/list-of-top-10-highest- /magazine/posts/reading- for-senior)
20get
0you
/sales/disconnect-premium- paying-job-without-a-degree habits-of-highly-successful-
lifetime-subscription- /?http: people?utm_source=outbrai
%20b
r%20
3-devices) //schoolportals.com.ng n&utm_medium=paid&
/top-10-best-german- utm_campaign=20170630_
ack%
head
universities-that-offer- OU_PRO_ReadingHabitsSucc
free-scholarships-today/) essful_Desktop_Universal&
%20p
20to
utm_content=00900a9090fb
ain%
%20 8a48999820df5ca9de88a9&
utm_term=004d65f0c19fa85
work)
20so 02b36f6eed45a5f9328&)

%20y

ou%2

0can

Hotel
%20c Prices You're Not Allowed 5 Tips to Help You Find the 2017 List of 10 Used Cars you 5 Body Odors You Should Never
to See! Right Retirement Community Should Avoid BUYING Ignore
WWW.TRIPSINSIDER.COM FOUNTAIN VIEW SENIOR LIVING BEST CAR SPEAKERS REVIEWS
ure% (http://www.womenshealth
(http://www.tripsinsider.com (http://www.fountainviewse (http://bestcarspeakers.org
mag.com/health/body-
/cheap-hotels niorliving.ga/5-tips- /worst-used-cars/)
20yo odors-signal-health-
/?utm_source=ti_clicktraffic help-find-right-retirement-
problems?internal_recirc=ou
_hotels_ob_3)
ur%2 community/)
tbrain_af)

0hea
More From Women's Health
dache

%20a

nd%2

50get
Questions You Should Always Your Vagina On Sex 'I Tried Gwyneth Paltrows Have Better Sex with These
Ask About Your Blood Test (http://www.womenshealth "Clean Sleeping" Regimen Moves
%20b
Results Here's What Happened'
mag.com/health/your- (http://www.womenshealth
(http://www.womenshealth vagina- (http://www.womenshealth mag.com/style/sex-position-
ack%
mag.com/health/blood- on-sex?internal_recirc=outbr mag.com/health/i-tried- shakeup?internal_recirc=out
test-questions- ain_af) gwyneth-paltrows-clean- brain_af)
20to
for-doctor?internal_recirc=o sleeping-
utbrain_af)
%20 regimen?internal_recirc=out
brain_af)
work)

5 Foods That Have More Iron 14 NSFW Nude Selfies We Can Chelsea Manning Vogue
Than Steak Totally Get Behind Swimsuit Photo
(http://www.womenshealth (http://www.womenshealth (http://www.womenshealth
mag.com/food/iron- mag.com/life/nude- mag.com/life/chelsea-
rich-foods?internal_recirc=o selfies?internal_recirc=outbr manning-vogue-
utbrain_af) ain_af) swimsuit?internal_recirc=out
brain_af)
PRIVACY POLICY (HTTP://WWW.RODALEINC.COM/CUSTOMER-CARE/PRIVACY-POLICY/) | ABOUT US (HTTP://WWW.RODALEINC.COM

/CONTENT/ABOUT-US)
Copyright 2017 Rodale Inc.