Headaches

        Just about everyone has had a headache at one point or another in their life. Some people, however, have frequent headaches that interfere with the quality of their life. According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches, and of those, 28 million suffer from migraines. About 20% of children and adolescents also have significant headaches. But, do you know what kind of headache you are getting? Determining what type of headache you are getting is the first step towards finding the causes of your headaches and finding ways to prevent them or reduce their intensity.

        Almost everyone has had a tension headache caused by stress. Tension headaches frequently hurt all over because the muscles around your head are tightening and causing pain. One way to help prevent or relieve a tension headache is to exercise. Exercise relaxes the muscles in your neck and shoulders, produces serotonin in your brain and helps to reduce your stress. Drinking plenty of fluids also helps to loosen your muscles.

        Sinus headaches cause pain in your cheekbones, forehead, and sometimes referred pain in the back of your head. It is frequently accompanied by nasal discharge, fever, ear pain, and facial tenderness. Bending over can cause intense pain. Decongestants can relieve pain and an expectorant can help thin the mucus. A saline sinus rinse or spray can help to thin your mucus and relieve sinus pressure and can be done as often as you want since there is no medication involved.

        Migraine headaches cause moderate to severe throbbing pain in the temple that can last up to a week. They are normally accompanied by one or more of the following; sensitivity to light, noise, or odors; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain. Some migraine sufferers also experience aura which is floating spots, lights, or blind spots in your vision. There are many different kinds of migraines. Some are severe enough to cause paralysis or temporary blindness. There is no known cure for migraines which are caused by constriction of the blood vessels in the brain. There are many possible "triggers" or causes of a migraine attack. If you experience these headaches, you can keep a diary of different trigger variables and try to figure out what your triggers may be. Some triggers can be emotional stress, menstrual periods, changes in normal sleep patterns, extreme fatigue, certain foods and beverages, excess caffeine intake or withdrawal, skipping meals, changing weather conditions, exercise, smoking, bright and flickering lights, and strong odors. Hopefully you can identify some of the things that are causing your headaches so you can avoid them. If you get more than one migraine a month you should talk with your doctor. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help in some cases. Some people find that either hot or cold packs on the head or neck can provide some relief.

        There are even more types of headaches that are being identified every day. Plus, you can get more than one kind of headache at the same time. The bottom line is if you have headaches that are interfering with your life; you should talk with your doctor, and keep a diary to try to figure out what the possible causes of your headaches might be. Drink plenty of fluids, exercise to relieve stress, try to keep a regular sleep schedule, and avoid stressful situations if possible.

        Check out the Health and Wellness bulletin board in April for more information on headaches and a more detailed list of migraine triggers to try to avoid if you experience these disabling headaches.