Skip to main content

Head ache




What is a headache?

Headache is defined as pain in the head or upper neck. It is one of the most common locations of pain in the body and has many causes.

What causes tension headaches?

While tension headaches are the most frequently occurring type of headache, their cause is not known. The most likely cause is contraction of the muscles that cover the skull. When the muscles covering the skull are stressed, they may spasm and cause pain. Common sites include the base of the skull where the trapezius muscles of the neck inserts, the temple where muscles that assist the jaw to move are located, and the forehead.

There is little research to confirm the exact cause of tension headaches. Tension headaches occur because of physical or emotional stress placed on the body. Physical stress that may cause tension headaches include difficult and prolonged manual labor, or sitting at a desk or computer for long periods of time Emotional stress may also cause tension headaches by causing the muscles surrounding the skull to contract.


What are the symptoms of tension headaches?

The symptoms of tension headache are:

A pain that begins in the back of the head and upper neck as a band-like tightness or pressure.

Described as a band of pressure encircling the head with the most intense pain over the eyebrows.

The pain is usually mild (not disabling) and bilateral (affecting both sides of the head).

Not associated with an aura (see below) and are not associated with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.

Usually occur sporadically (infrequently and without a pattern) but can occur frequently and even daily in some people.

Most people are able to function despite their tension headaches.

How are tension headaches treated?

Tension headaches are painful, and often patients are upset that the diagnosis is "only" a tension headache. Though it is not life-threatening, a tension headache can affect daily life activities.

Most people successfully treat themselves with over-the–counter (OTC) pain medications to control tension headaches. The following work well for most people:

aspirin,

ibuprofen

When should patients with headache seek medical care?

A patient should seek medical care if their headache is:

The "worst headache of your life"

Different than your usual headaches

Starts suddenly or is aggravated by exertion, coughing, bending over, or sexual activity

Associated with persistent nausea and vomiting

Associated with fever or stiff neck

Associated with seizures

Associated with recent head trauma or a fall

Associated with changes in vision, speech, or behavior

Associated with weakness or change in sensation

Not responding to treatment and is getting worse

Requires more than the recommended dose of over-the-counter medications for pain

Disabling and interfering with work and quality of life.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What signs and symptoms can occur if thyroid function is affected?

Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland, acts to stimulate hormone production by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is...
61 comments
Read more

Common diseases linked to vitamin D deficiency

Sunlight is that the body's main supplier of Vitamin D that is critical for sturdy bones and teeth. Vitamin D is in virtually each tissue, therefore, it's vital for the health of the entire body. However, five hundredths of individuals over fifty have low levels of Vitamin D. Studies have shown that an absence of it will result in polygenic disorder, depression, cardiopathy, hip fractures, cramp, and disseminated multiple sclerosis. If we do not get enough Vitamin D our cells will multiply too quick and grow to become malignant tumors increasing a risk of breast, colon, prostate, ovary, gullet and humor cancers. Lack of Vitamin D may also interfere with endocrine secretion therefore it might have an effect on polygenic disorder sufferers it absolutely was found in 'Archives of General Psychiatry' that deficiencies result in depression as a result of it affect the small endocrine glands behind the thyroid and that they become hyperactive...
35 comments
Read more

Thyroid - Hypothyroid - Meaning - Causes - Symptoms - Treatment

What is Hypothyroid? Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to "run the body's metabolism," it is understandable that people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism. Causes About three percent of the general population is hypothyroidic. Factors such as iodine deficiency or exposure to Iodine can increase that risk. There are a number of causes for hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide. In iodine-replete individuals hypothyroidism is generally caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or otherwise as a result of either an absent thyroid gland or a deficiency in stimulating hormones from the hypothalamus or pituitary.
70 comments
Read more