Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
If you suffer from headaches, you are not alone. Headaches are one of the
most common health complaints. They can be simply distracting or completely
debilitating. Many headaches fade away without treatment. Some are easily
remedied. Still others are stubborn and recurring. Only rarely do
headaches warn of a serious illness.
About 95% of headaches are primary headaches, meaning they are not caused by
an underlying medical condition. Other headaches, called secondary
headaches, arise from medical disorders like swollen sinuses, head injury or
tumors.
A headache may feel like a pain in the brain, but it is not. The brain
itself lacks pain-sensitive nerve cells. Instead, most headaches originate
in the network of nerves and nerve-rich muscles and blood vessels that
surround your head, neck, and face. These pain-sensitive nerve cells can be
activated by stress, muscle tension, enlarged blood vessels and other
triggers. Once stimulated, the nerve cells transmit messages to the brain,
causing you to feel pain.
If you are feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious or if you are not getting
enough sleep, you are at risk for a tension headache. Most diagnosed
headaches are related to tension or muscle tightness, usually in the
shoulders, neck, scalp, or jaw. Tension headaches can cause a sensation of
painful pressure on the head and neck. They sometimes feel like the grip of
a tight elastic band around your head.
Migraine headaches are the second-most common, striking about three times
more women than men. Migraine pain is often described as intense, pulsing
or throbbing. Migraine sufferers can have extreme sensitivity to light and
sound. In some cases, nausea and vomiting accompany the headache. Although
the exact cause of migraine pain is unknown, one theory is that it is linked
to the widening and tightening of blood vessels surrounding the brain, which
irritates the nearby nerves.
A less common but more severe type of headache occurs in “clusters,” often
at the same time of day for several weeks. These cluster headaches usually
begin suddenly as a sharp or burning pain centered around one eye. The pain
can last up to three hours.
Scientists are working to better understand what causes headaches and how
they can be treated. Some researchers are looking at complementary and
alternative therapies like acupuncture, which has shown promise in some
studies, although results have been mixed.
Most people can relieve headache pain by making lifestyle changes, learning
ways to relax, and taking pain relievers. If these approaches do not work,
your doctor may have more suggestions.
Let your health care provider know if you have sudden, severe headaches.
Get medical help right away if you have a headache after a blow to your
head, or if you have a headache along with fever, confusion, loss of
consciousness or pain in the eye or ear.
Tips for Headache Relief:
* Tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain
relievers. Stress management, relaxation exercises or a hot shower may also
help.
* Migraine headaches can be treated with over-the-counter or
prescription medications. Migraines often recur but may be prevented with
prescription drugs. Avoid food and drinks that can trigger migraines,
including caffeine, alcohol, and processed meats. Relaxation techniques may
reduce the occurrence and severity of migraines.
* Cluster headaches can be treated or prevented with prescription
medications. Nasal sprays that numb the nose and nostrils may also help.
Doctors also recommend avoiding alcohol if you are susceptible to cluster
headaches.
If you would like more information on “What Makes Your Head Hurt? Tension
is the Most Common Culprit” contact Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant,
M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Emeritus University of Minnesota at
<mailto:waldn001@umn.edu> waldn001@umn.edu. Be sure to watch for more
Family Living Focus(tm) information in next week’s paper.