Learn to recognize the type of headache you suffer from. All about the symptoms, causes that provoke it, and the recommended treatments.
The percentage of women who regularly suffer from headaches is increasing,
Their incidence is higher among developed countries,
It is estimated that 6 Spaniards out of 10 suffer from headaches, and women are the first victims of this unpleasant ailment.
It is very strange to find someone who has never suffered a headache, as it is one of the most common conditions.
90% of the population suffers from occasional headaches or migraines and between 10% and 20% suffer from them chronically.
Not all headaches are the same, some are just the symptom of a disease and others are true diseases by themselves.
The headache, whether mild or serious, should be treated by the specialist and observe when it occurs, at what time and circumstance,
learning to recognize it and thus collaborate with the specialist in the search for the appropriate remedy.
We will first stop at the "migraine", a headache that affects a large part of the population.
Migraine:
It is a persistent and throbbing headache in which it feels as if an internal hammer is slowly destroying our heads.
Its annoying and painful "pounding" or "heartbeat" worsens with the slightest physical effort and any movement that is made is a real ordeal.
When a migraine is very intense it can cause nausea and even vomiting,
In addition to leaving the sufferer with an extreme sensitization to light and noise,
So if someone shouts nearby it can be terribly annoying.
Sometimes it is accompanied by tremors, cold hands, and dizziness.
Migraine attacks last for a few days:
It is not genetically transmitted
Migraine is not necessarily hereditary, but it is a family affair and runs through some families more than others.
Generally, if parents suffer from migraines frequently,
Their children probably suffer, this is because it is a problem related to lifestyle habits,
Type of diet, character.
Even though it is not genetically transmitted.
Causes of migraines:
The causes of this ailment are not clear,
although it is a fact that migraine affects men much less than women and a common denominator among migraineurs is "anxiety."
Other factors such as stress, sleeping too much, skipping meals,
Staying in noisy environments
Weather changes and atmospheric pressure can trigger a migraine attack.
Also, the consumption of foods such as:
Aged
Cheese,
Chocolate,
Smoked foods,
Vinegar,
Additives such as "monosodium glutamate", wine and liquors, can be negative and aggravate the ailment.
Specifically, dark chocolate and cured cheeses contain substances "vasoactive amines", responsible for headaches due to their vasoconstrictor effect,
Therefore, they should be avoided or consumed in small doses in those prone to headaches.
Some drinks also promote headaches, milk, wine, beer, and alcoholic beverages in general, contain the same substances.
In addition, cold cuts and spinach should be avoided due to their content of "nitrites", substances that can also trigger headaches.
On the other hand, suffering from headaches, mental confusion, and even lack of coordination can indicate gluten sensitivity.
Several studies reveal that eliminating or reducing the intake of gluten,
present in foods such as wheat, barley, rye, oats ... reduces these symptoms in adults sensitive to this protein.
In women, a "menstrual migraine" occurs, caused by fluctuating estrogen levels that occur around the days of menstruation or ovulation.
Likewise, the contraceptive pill can cause migraines,
If a worsening or worsening of the ailment is noticed, it is advisable to consult with the gynecologist.
Natural treatments for common migraines
. Ice bags
. Remain to lie or slightly reclining with your eyes closed in a dark room, without noise, and with a comfortable temperature.
. The "Omega 3", a fatty acid reduces the inflammatory process that accompanies migraine.
. The "lavender or lavender", a plant used for 300 years to treat headaches, is a natural option that also fights mild depression.
Your recommended infusion dose will be 3 cups a day after each meal (5 grams per cup or 30 grams/liter).
It is also one of the most recommended and effective plants for external application.
Simply apply the essential oil of lavender, mixed with a few drops of almond oil or olive oil, on the temples by gently massaging the fingertips in a circular motion.
It will be possible to alleviate the headache very effectively, especially if it is applied just at the moment when you begin to feel pain.
Pharmacological treatments for common migraines;
. Powerful pain relievers under prescription.
. Consult a specialist for periodic medication as a preventive base treatment.
In the case of menstrual migraine,
it will be prevented by restricting your salt intake during your period and doing some exercise.
The specialist may assess the taking of certain medications such as ergotamine or progestogens two weeks before menstruation.
Other types of headaches:
Symptoms,
Causes,
Treatments
Allergic migraine:
Nasal congestion, watery and tender eyes are its most common symptoms.
Seasonal allergies usually caused by pollens are the main cause of this type of migraine.
Antihistamines or neutralizing injections-vaccines under prescription are an effective treatment.
Arthritis migraine:
. Pain in the back of the head and neck accompanied by inflammation of the joints and muscles are its symptoms.
. The cause of this migraine is not clear, but it probably derives from a stiffening of the muscles in order to defend against pain.
. The most indicated treatments are usually anti-inflammatory or analgesics and muscle relaxants.
Feverish malaise:
. Generalized headache that develops during the rise and stay of fever.
. The cause is an infection and the headache is caused by the dilation of the blood vessels of it.
. The recommended treatment will be the taking of aspirin or paracetamol and antibiotics in the appropriate doses.
Hangover:
.Throbbing headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea and even vomiting.
. The cause is the consumption of alcohol, which causes dilation and irritation in the blood vessels, thus producing the headache.
. Drinking plenty of fluids and fructose will lessen the effects of alcohol.
Hunger pain:
. Headache occurs when for some reason food is delayed or a meal is skipped.
. Low blood sugar is the cause.
. The treatment is none other than eating something light, preferably low in sugar and high in protein.
Preventing it is as simple as regulating habits and mealtimes, as well as maintaining a diet rich in proteins and slow-absorbing carbohydrates.
Sinus pain:
. It is an oppressive pain over the nostrils, usually accompanied by fever, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
. Nasal infections and polyps can cause this ailment.
. Prescription decongestants or antibiotics are among the usual treatments, but depending on the severity of the case,
the specialist will assess a possible surgery to drain the nasal passages.
Stress pain:
The most common headache is the one caused by tension, stress, or fatigue, called "tension headache", and the number of women suffering from it is increasing due to the current pace of life.
The vast majority of people who suffer from this type of headache would feel much better with the lifestyle modification.
It is also possible to prevent episodes by avoiding stress or learning to live with it in a more relaxed way,
understanding the situations that cause it, and remedying them.
When the headache has already started, a gentle massage of the neck, shoulders, and head can be of great help,
as well as lying down and relaxing for a few minutes with the light off.
. Dull, constant, and oppressive pain appears in bands around the head and there is pressure on the scalp and neck.
. The cause is stress and depression in most cases.
. Ensure sufficient rest, use of prescription pain relievers,
application of ice packs,
Antidepressants,
Massages,
Exercise at least 3 times a week, and relaxation techniques,
As well as psychological help (psychotherapy), are among the recommended treatments.
In addition, the infusion of passionflower is ideal for relieving stress and associated muscle tension that directly contributes to headaches.
Traumatic pain:
. It is a constant pain, either locally or generalized.
. It usually appears months after receiving a severe blow to the head.
. Treatment will generally be based on prescription anti-inflammatories, analgesics, and/or antidepressants.
Eye fatigue:
. Characteristic frontal pain in the eyes or on them, produced generally by visual overexertion.
. The eye muscle becomes unbalanced and pain appears.
. Normally, by improving vision conditions, the ailment disappears, if not, it is necessary and convenient to consult an ophthalmologist.
Cluster headache:
. The second most common type of primary headache after migraine,
which is also called "suicidal" headache because of the intense pain experienced by those who suffer from it.
. Cluster headaches differ from other types of headaches by the characteristics of their attacks.
Those affected present pain of great intensity, rapid onset, unilateral, and generally around the eye or temple.
The crises are usually accompanied by symptoms in the ocular region,
generally tearing, drooping of the eyelid, redness ... and/or nasal, mainly congestion or discharge.
. Cluster headaches are also characterized by seizures that occur with surprising punctuality, predominantly in the evening and/or at night (in 73% of cases).
. The pain can appear several times a day and almost always at the same time.
The attacks (although extremely painful) are relatively short in duration (15 to 180 minutes).
. Patients alternate symptomatic and asymptomatic periods.
That is, it goes from having no headache to having daily or almost daily episodes for weeks or months.
When headache attacks appear uninterrupted for more than a year without remission or with remissions of less than a month,
we are talking about chronic disease.
. Cluster headache can begin at any age, although it is more common in individuals between the third or fourth decade of life, and predominates in males.
Cluster headaches are diagnosed in 2 or 3 men for every woman,
the differences are greater when it comes to chronic forms since they affect the male gender with even greater preponderance.
. Alcohol and tobacco use or changes in sleeping or eating patterns can precipitate cluster headache episodes.
Therefore, as part of treating the disease, patients will also have to try to control possible triggers.
. Generally, in addition to trying to avoid certain triggers,
such as alcohol or naps, the patient will need symptomatic treatment -usually oxygen, given its effectiveness,
low cost, and few adverse effects- and certain transitional and preventive treatments.
Headache from the time change;
Both the time changes that take place in summer and that made to change to wintertime,
cause slight alterations in our daily routines that, although for a large part of the population are practically imperceptible,
they are not so much for those who have a neurological disease.
And is that changes in meal times, sleep or in the number of hours we spend sleeping,
and that is modified by the time change, especially affect people who suffer from headaches, epilepsy, sleep disorders, or diseases neurodegenerative.
In the case of headaches, time changes in daily routines are one of the main causes of headaches.
Therefore, one of the main recommendations we make to our patients is that they try to maintain the same rhythm of meals and sleep every day of the week.
Something complicated to carry out if there are time changes, either due to adaptation to summer or winter schedules, or when we travel to countries with different time zones
On the other hand, the variation of the sleep rhythm, either by excess or by default, is also recognized as a trigger for headache attacks.
And in the case of migraine, it is even more evident: 35% of people who suffer from migraine consider changes in sleep times as the main trigger for their attacks.
In any case, the usual thing is that the effects of the time change only last a few days.
Normally a person takes an average of between 2 to 7 days to adapt to the new schedule,
which is what the brain needs to readjust its activity and that our body functions and our behavior are appropriate at all times.
The studies that have been carried out to date indicate that, in healthy people, children, and the elderly,
these are the segments of the population that have the most difficulty adjusting to the new schedule because the brain structures responsible for regulating the wake-sleep cycle are less adapted to the changes.
To avoid the side effects derived from the time change,
it is advisable to gradually readjust the schedule of meals and sleep, avoid naps,
eat and have a light dinner, avoid the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, and exercise.
If the headache worsens with the heat, heed these tips;
In summer, with the inevitable arrival of high temperatures,
the episodes of headache and migraines can become notably worse, triggering intense crises, because although it is paradoxical,
the decrease in vital rhythm, the increase in sleep hours, and other changes that occur in summer and during vacations,
they can create stress for those prone to headaches.
If in summer you tend to suffer from severe headaches more frequently,
It will be very useful to take into account the following tips and recommendations,
They will help you keep the headache at bay despite the heat:
. Follow a varied and balanced diet in vitamins and minerals,
low in salt and rich in proteins and slow-absorbing carbohydrates.
Also, try to always eat at the same time and avoid skipping meals or delaying food intake.
. Avoid chewing gum.
The continuous movement of the jaw when chewing gum can promote muscle contracture and cause headaches.
. Stress and lack of sleep are great allies of headaches,
force yourself to relax and practice relaxation techniques if necessary to get an optimal rest,
however, do not overdo it, sleeping too much can cause headaches.
. Bad posture can cause a headache.
You must keep your back posture straight and Lift your head up
. Moderate physical exercise is a good measure against stress,
responsible for many causes of headaches.
Try to practice it regularly.
Also, if the headache appears and is not very severe, gentle exercise can help relieve pain, especially in cases of tension headaches.
. On extremely hot days, avoid prolonged sunbathing, and be sure to keep your head covered.
. You must not forget to always carry the usual medication to control seizures and take the pain relievers prescribed by the doctor at the beginning of the symptoms,
It will be more effective.
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