Headache and Migraine

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Headache & Migraine

Headaches are one of the most common pain-related health problems in both children and adults. You may have a headache along with another minor health problem such as a sore throat, cold, or sinus problem.

Types of headaches : The most common types of headaches usually are not serious but may occur again and again.

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are often caused by stress and emotional strain. Most adults have tension headaches from time to time. See a picture of possible areas of pain from a tension headache.
Cluster headaches
Migraine headaches. Approximately one-third of people who have migraine headaches first began having them as teenagers.

Common causes of headaches include:

Alcohol, caffeine, or other drug use or withdrawal.
Changes in the levels of chemicals in the body (neurotransmitters).
Coughing or sneezing.
Dental problems or procedures, such as pain from grinding the teeth or from a root canal.
Eating or drinking cold foods and fluids.
Emotional stress.
Exposure to smoke or fumes from chemicals, including carbon monoxide.
Fever.
High altitude. Lower oxygen levels at high altitudes can cause headaches.
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Infection in the sinuses, such as sinusitis or an abscess.
Medicines. Many medicines can cause headaches.
Upper respiratory infections.

Emergencies

Sudden, severe pain and is the worst headache you have ever had
Confusion or change in behavior
Change in level of consciousness
Sudden loss of function in one part or all of one side of your body
Sudden vision change, such as dimness, blurring, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes (unless this always happens with your migraine headaches)
Sudden, persistent difficulty speaking or difficulty understanding speech
Seizure. (Protect the victim from harm during the seizure.)
Severe dehydration
A severe headache that starts during strenuous physical or sexual activity (exertional headache)

Prevention

Eat regularly. Do not skip meals. Choose nutritious foods; do not fill up on salty foods or carbonated beverages.
Keep a regular sleep schedule. Set a bedtime and time to get up, and stick to them, even on weekends. This will help your body get used to a regular sleep time. Avoid oversleeping.
Physical therapy may help you strengthen your neck muscles, improve your posture, and increase your mobility.
Exercise regularly. Walking, cycling, jogging, swimming, or even dancing or gardening are great ways to relieve stress. If you tend to hold tension in your neck and shoulders, walking may be especially helpful; the swinging motion of the arms seems to relax those muscles
Practice good posture and body mechanics at home and at work
Have frequent dental check ups and yearly eye examinations

Diseases :