Nervous System Disorders
Headache
There are several areas in the head that can hurt when you have a headache, including the following:
- a network of nerves that extends over the scalp
- certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat
- muscles of the head
- blood vessels found along the surface and at the base of the brain (these contain delicate nerve fibers)
The bones of the skull and tissues of the brain itself do not hurt because they do not have pain-sensitive nerve fibers.
Nociceptors (the ends of the pain-sensitive nerves) are stimulated by stress, muscular tension, dilated blood vessels, and other headache triggers, and send a message to the nerve cells in the brain, signaling that a part of the body hurts.
Different chemicals help transmit pain-related information to the brain, including endorphins - natural painkilling proteins. It has been suggested that people who suffer from severe headaches, or other chronic pain, have lower levels of endorphins than people who are generally pain-free.
There are two main types of headache, primary and secondary:
- primary headaches
Primary headaches account for more than 90 percent of headaches, and include the following:
- tension (muscular contraction) headaches
- vascular (migraine) headaches
- cluster headaches (not caused by other underlying medical conditions)
- secondary headaches
Secondary headaches account for fewer than 10 percent of all headaches, and include headaches that result from other medical conditions. These may also be referred to as the following:
- traction headaches
- inflammatory headaches
According to the ACHE, headaches are rarely a symptom of serious underlying medical conditions. However, you should consult your physician if any of the following apply to you:
- you experience three or more headaches per week
- you must take a pain reliever every day or almost daily
- you need more than the recommended doses of over-the-counter medications to relieve headache symptoms
- you have a stiff neck and/or fever, in addition to a headache
- the headache is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, and/or unexpected symptoms that affect your eyes, ears, nose, or throat
- dizziness, unsteadiness, slurred speech, weakness, or numbness and/or tingling are present, in addition to your headache
- confusion or drowsiness accompany your headache
- headaches begin with, but persist after, a head injury
- headaches are triggered by exertion, coughing, bending, or sexual activity
- headaches keep getting worse and will not go away
- headaches have changed in character
- headaches are accompanied by persistent or severe vomiting
- you experience your "first and/or worse" headache
- headaches began after you reached the age of 50
Consult your physician if you experience any change or worsening of headache symptoms.
Chronic
headache prevention:
Migraine headache treatment begins with proper diagnosis. A complete history
of the patient's headaches is compiled and sometimes further testing may be
required to confirm a diagnosis. Migraines then can be effectively managed
through these treatments.
Preventive medications: Certain medications can be taken daily to help
patients who suffer from frequent or prolonged migraine attacks. Certain blood
pressure medications, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory medicines are often
used, though the exact mechanism of headache prevention is not known.
Abortive medications: Other medications are taken at the onset of
migraine attacks to narrow expanded blood vessels and relieve the pain. These
medications may be combined with anti-nausea type drugs and pain relievers to
treat migraine symptoms.
Biofeedback: Special biofeedback equipment helps patients learn how to
identify stressful situations and control their body's response to them. These
are sometimes combined with psychotherapy to help patients apply these
techniques to their daily lives. This often decreases the need for medications.
Whenever possible, patients should assume an active role in reducing the
frequency of their migraine headaches.
- Eat three regular meals a day and do not skip breakfast. If you sleep late
on weekends, awaken at your usual weekday time and have a glass of milk or piece
of toast and return to bed.
- Keep regular sleep habits that ensure an adequate amount of rest.
- Develop hobbies and activities, which help relieve everyday stress.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps to make the body less sensitive to
factors that can trigger migraines.
- Always carry your medication. Migraines may occur no matter how strict an
individual's anti-migraine program.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
Statistics about headaches:
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE):
- Migraines affect 25 million to 30 million people in the US.
- Nearly 90 percent of men and 95 percent of women have had at least one headache.
- Most people with a headache use nonprescription pain relievers to treat their symptoms. Because store shelves hold a vast array of pain relievers, and there is a growing trend towards self-care, Americans have a responsibility to examine facts about headaches and pain relievers.
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Online Resources of Nervous System Disorders
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