A headache can be a pulsating pain or a throbbing pain depending on the underlying cause. It can be accompanied by nausea and other problems or it can be just a banging or a pulsing pain in some part of the head that can drive people to distraction. Depending on the cause, the area of the initial attack might change.
The tension headache is the most common amongst both the sexes and generally starts with the neck and back of the skull area. The migraines are caused by hormonal imbalances in the brain and are usually associated with the menstrual cycle in women.
What are the Symptoms of a Headache?
A headache generally is a throbbing or pulsating pain in some part of your head; it can be accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. There are also instances of sweaty hands and feet and a tired and weak feeling. The pain starts in any one area and then spreads.
What are the Common Causes of a Headache?
Exposure to the harsh sun or bright sunlight can cause a headache in some people. Tension headaches are typically caused by the buildup of tension as the name suggests; sinus headaches result from blocked sinus and migraines are caused by engorged blood vessels due to hormone imbalances.
What are the Triggers for Different Types of Headaches?
The tension headache is caused by stress as the name suggests. The sinus headache may be triggered by frequent exposure of the uncovered head to cold and the resultant blockage in the sinus.
Migraines are generally triggered by a strong smell and strong light in cases of people with light sensitivity or some organic triggers like nitrates, mono-sodium glutamate and tyramine that are found in various food products and by skipped meals. In most cases of women suffering from migraine, the attacks have been linked to their menstrual cycle and their hormonal changes.
What is the Treatment for Headaches?
Every type of headache is treated differently to suit the pathology of the individual. Some medical practitioners believe in the prevention method and so might advocate alternate therapies or lifestyle and diet changes to prevent an attack. Alternate therapies usually refer to meditation or yoga or such practices aimed at relaxing the body and mind. In extremely severe attacks, pain killers and anti-depressants may be prescribed.
Are Headaches Hereditary?
Headaches, especially migraines can run in the family; if one parent suffers from them there is a 50% chance that the child too is likely to suffer from them; the odds go up to 75% in case both the parents suffer from migraines. So while there is not scientific classification of migraines as hereditary, it is distinctly undeniable fact that they run in families.
Can Migraines be Prevented? If yes, How?
Yes, migraines can be prevented once the underlying causes and the possible organic triggers have been identified, and you can take care to avoid them in order to prevent attacks. Mostly the triggers are organic substances with nitrates or mono sodium glutamate or tyramine like stale cheese, certain wines, packaged foods with MSG, fava beans and certain types of meat products like hard sausages.
There are also some preventive medicines like prophylactic products that are prescribed to prevent migraine attacks. However you can identify a pattern in the attacks and the possible triggers by maintaining a headache journal and learn to identify the symptoms when an attack is imminent and take preemptive steps to avert it.
What are the Different Medications Available to Treat Headaches?
Acute medications, which are strong painkillers prescribed to patients for after the onset of an attack like triptans or ergots and other over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen are used for the management of the pain resulting from a headache.
For preemptive medication, NSAIDS and other preparations like anti-depressants, beta-blockers can be used. Among such preventive medications, anti-epileptic drugs are also used. These common preventive drugs were primarily used for treating depression, epilepsy and relief from migraine attacks. A side benefit of these drugs is that they address the chemical and hormonal imbalances in the brain too.
