My Life Monday

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My Life Monday
I have a splitting headache
Headaches are a common health problem. You must
of heard people say, I feel like my head is
going to explode. or I have a splitting
headache. Although headaches can be temporarily
discomforting and painful, most are not related
to serious illnesses. Sometimes a quiet room or a
non-prescribed painkiller can ease the pain but
that depends on the type of headache involved.
Headaches can attack anyone at anytime. They
vary in duration and intensity. The pain can be
inflicted by noise, head injury, dieting,
fasting, stress etc. Headaches can also be a
symptom for life threatening illnesses such as a
brain tumour. So what do you feel when
experiencing a headache?
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General types of headaches
It is important to get a proper diagnosis of your
headache. Frequent, persisting and throbbing
headaches are something you might want to check
with a physician. There are different types of
headaches Tension headaches-This type of
headache is persistent. The pain is like a tight
band around the head or dull pressure within the
head. Cluster headaches-This type of headache
occurs at regular periods. It usually affects
smokers and alcoholics. It is described as
piercing pain centred around one eye and usually
moves vertically on the same side of the face.
This is different from a migraine headache.
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General types of headaches
Migraine headaches - Usually throbbing pain,
common on one side of the head and gets worse
with movement or strain. Sensitivity to noise,
vagueness, light-headedness and confusion occurs.
This is accompanied with nausea and vomiting.
Sinus headaches - The sinus is a long bony
cavity in the skull and behind the cheeks. This
acts as a reservoir for mucus ( a slippery
secretion.) The mucus is usually drained through
the nose or throat but if suffering of a cold or
a flu, the drainage channels get blocked. The
blockage builds up pressure resulting in a
headache. Rebound headaches- Over-use of
medication for headaches can worsen the situation
rather than ease the pain. People usually think
that if one pill can ease the pain, 2 or 3 can
stop the pain immediately. Caffeine and nicotine
can have the same effect.
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Other causes of headaches

• Headaches can be a side effect from disorders
  such as
• Dental problems
• Head injury
• Brain tumour
• Eye diseases
• Spinal injury
• Arthritis
• Nerve damage
• Fever

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Watch out for symptoms

• You should seek medical advice if you experience
  any of the following
• A severe and sudden headache without warning.
• Sudden headaches due to high blood pressure,
  heart
• diseases or kidney problems.
• Headaches after having a head injury or
  accompanied
• with nausea, dizziness, blurry vision and
  muscle
• weakness.
• Headache accompanied by fever or seizures.
• Headache that results in decline in mental
  awareness and
• alertness.
• Headaches due to cough, sneezing or body pain.
• Headaches of high intensity and frequency.

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What treatment is required?

• The treatment varies depending on the type of
  headache. Some various treatments include
• Over the counter painkillers such as aspirin and
  panadol.
• Relaxation techniques such as a massage.
• Stress management.
• Maintaining a healthy diet.
• Prescribed medication.
• Treatment for disorders that are causing the
  headaches.
• It is important to visit the physician if the
  headaches are severe,
• throbbing and persistent.

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Most headaches are not serious. They can be
controlled by simple medication and in the case
of tension headaches, by altering habits or
lifestyle.