Aching Head: When You Know What Kind Of Headache You Have, You Can Get Help


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Nearly 30 million Americans, including 18 million women, suffer from recurring headaches. Yet only 10 percent discuss the problem with a doctor. That's troubling because the journal Neurology reports that chronic headaches put women at four times greater risk of depression.

Knowing symptoms and effective treatments can help you prepare for your next visit with the doctor.

Migraine:
migraine sufferers describe one sided, throbbing pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Many also experience an aura of light flashes, blind spots and zig-zags.
Most migraines are episodic, triggered by diet, activity, environment, emotions, medications or hormones. Avoiding these triggers is one step; others include proper sleep and diet habits, exercise and massage. Your doctor may prescribe daily medications to help reduce the number of episodes, or an abortive drug for you to take as soon as the aura or pain begins.

Tension:
This moderate ache occurs in your forehead, temples, neck and the back of your head. Episodes are triggered by stress, anxiety, fatigue or anger. If you experience headaches more than 15 days a month, see your doctor for help.

Organic:
These headaches usually accompany problems such as sinus infections, disease, tumors, blood clots, aneurysms and complications of high blood pressure. If you have the "worst headache of your life," call your doctor immediately to get help in diagnosing the problem.

You know that the average headache is rarely cause for concern. But call your doctor if your headache:

• Is sudden and severe
• Is accompanied by fever, stiff neck or uncontrollable vomiting
• Leads to confused or loss of consciousness
• Is accompanied by numbness, weakness or vision loss
• Begins after head injury or other trauma

Copyright © Neil Harper
http://theluckyberry.com