Headaches

Types of Headaches

Most headaches (95%) are either migraine or tension-type (muscle contraction) headaches.

Migraines

  • usually have a pulsing or throbbing quality
  • Are felt on one or both sides of the head
  • last several hours
  • are severe enough to interfere with routine activities
  • may be relieved by sleep
  • may be preceded by visual changes, such as seeing an aura of zig-zag lines
  • may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting
  • bright light or loud noise might make it worse
  • can occur as infrequently as once a year or as often as several times a week

 

Tension Headaches

  • are a constant dull ache
  • may be felt on both sides of the head
  • usually have a feeling of squeezing and pressure
  • usually do not interfere with routine activities
  • some people have tension headaches on a nearly daily basis for many years

 

What Causes Headaches?

 Headaches have many causes. Many headaches, especially migraines, can be triggered by:

  • emotional and physical stress
  • irregular sleep habits
  • skipping meals
  • caffeine use or withdrawal
  • menstrual cycles
  • monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • foods with nitrates, such as hot dogs
  • alcohol
  • some medicines
  • certain foods, including: chocolate, cheese, pickled or smoked foods, nuts and citrus fruits and juices

 Specific triggers for headaches vary from person to person. Some people can't identify any trigger.

 

Getting Relief

At the first sign of a migraine:

  • Lie down in a darkened, quiet room.
  • Relax your entire body.
  • Try to sleep.
  • If you take medicine to relieve a migraine, take it at the first sign of the headache.

For tension headaches:

  • Try the same relief measures as above.
  • An ice bag on the head may be helpful.

 

How to Prevent Headaches

Try these steps for 6 weeks:

  • Eliminate all processed foods, including fast foods, frozen dinners and processed meats
  • Eliminate flavorings such as instant bouillon, gravy or spice mixes
  • Eliminate caffeine and alcohol
  • Stop all over-the-counter medicines or herbal remedies
  • Maintain a regular eating and sleeping schedule.

 If your headaches improve or go away, you have discovered some of your triggers. If you're taking prescription medicine, including birth control pills or shots, check with your health care provider. Use of these medicines may cause your headaches. Your provider can help you decide whether to discontinue use or change to another type of medicine.

 

For tension headaches, try:

  • regular daily exercise
  • gentle stretching, especially the neck and shoulders
  • meditation
  • massage
  • other relaxation techniques
  • Practice relaxing your jaw muscles each day.
  • If your posture can be improved, work on it.
  • Women should choose bras that fit well and provide support without stressing the shoulders.

 

When to Take Medicine

  • Occasional use of over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can relieve both migraine and tension headaches.
  • Read and follow all directions and warnings carefully.
  • If you are taking these medicines more than a few times a month, consult your health care provider. Overuse of pain medicine can actually result in more frequent headaches. Most pain-relieving medicines used to treat headaches can cause "analgesic rebound headaches" if used too often.
  • Prescription medicines are often available that help relieve and reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.

 

Keep a Headache Log

Keep a log when you experience each headache to help you discover your triggers. With this information you may be able to prevent headaches or limit how many you have.

  • When: Date and time each headache starts and stops
  • Where: Location of the pain
  • What: Nature and severity of the pain
  • Why: Any factors that seem to trigger the headaches: stress, food, menstrual cycle, medicine

 

When to See Your Doctor

See your health care provider if you have bothersome, recurrent headaches that are getting more severe, occur more frequently or occur in different locations.

Seek prompt medical help if your headaches:

  • are new in the past few weeks or months, especially if they are at their worst in the early morning while you are still in bed
  • occur with increasing frequency or severity
  • begin to be accompanied by nausea or vomiting
  • seem to be triggered by exercise, orgasm, or coughing, especially if this is a new occurrence
  • occur along with green or brown nasal drainage and sinus pain over the cheeks and around the eyes
  • are severe and unlike previous headaches, especially if they begin suddenly or there is pain or stiffness in the neck when your head is bent forward
  • are accompanied by mental confusion, drowsiness, a rash, difficulty speaking, vision loss, difficulty with movement, or numbness in an arm, leg or parts of the face
  • are accompanied by a fever of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit and are not relieved by acetaminophen or aspirin, especially if there is pain or stiffness in the neck when your head is bent forward.

 

All above information taken from "Taking Care of Your Headache," an ETR Associates publication. 1996.