HEALTH - HEADACHE
Migraine
Most migraine patients do not have an aura; migraine with aura occurs in only 15% to 20% of sufferers. The aura is a well-defined visual or neurological deficit lasting less than 1 hour and is followed by the headache within 1 hour. Most auras are visual, with photopsia (flashing lights) being most common. The aura is initially small, then enlarges or moves across the visual field. A typical migraine aura can occur without a headache. This phenomenon tends to occur later in life. Occasionally, a neurologic aura occurs, with a tingling or weakness that slowly spreads up or down an extremity.Many patients with migraine have prodromal symptoms for many hours or even a day or so before the onset of an attack. These prodromal symptoms are generally changes in mood or personality. Fatigue also is common, and occasionally hyperactivity occurs.
The migraine attack lasts 6 to 72 hours. The pounding, throbbing pain of moderate to severe intensity is generally unilateral, but some patients experience bilateral pain. Pain caused by migraine worsens with physical activity. Photophobia and photophobia are very common, and sensitivity to odors is a little less common. Migraine is a sick headache. Nausea occurs in most patients, and vomiting is very common. Dehydration can occur, which increases the pain and disability. Migraineurs want to be quiet, inactive, and in a darkened area during the attack. Approximately 60% of women experience their worst migraine attacks in conjunction with their menstrual period.
Tension-Type Headache
Tension-type headache is characterized by generalized pressure or a sensation of tightness in the head. The discomfort level is usually mild to moderate and does not worsen with activity. Although nausea and photophobia or phonophobia can occur, they generally are not prominent features. Tension-type headache is classified as episodic (<15 days a month) or chronic (>15 days a month).
Some patients with tension-type headache exhibit evidence of increased muscle tension, with prominent scalp tenderness, muscle tenderness in the temporomandibular joint muscles, or tight, tender cervical and trapeziums muscles. Poor posture is often evident, which can play a role in causing tension-type headache. If there is no evidence of increased pericardial or cervical muscle tightness found during clinical examination, the pain likely originates centrally or is due to psychological factors.
Cluster Headache
Cluster headache causes intense pain that is generally steady and boring behind one eye. The pain can spread to the temple, face, and even into the upper neck. It is so intense that most sufferers pace the floor or do vigorous exercises during the attack. The attacks are short and often last only 30 to 45 minutes. They occur from one to several times a day for a period of several weeks or months, then remit, leaving the patient pain free for several months or years, only to recur.
During a cluster headache cycle, the attacks of pain often occur at the same time each day, most often waking the patient in the early morning hours. Eighty percent of cluster sufferers experience unilateral tearing, with conjunctival injection and ipsilateral nasal congestion. These symptoms clear as the attack leaves. Alcohol brings on an attack within a few minutes in a patient who is in a cluster headache cycle, but it does not induce an attack when the patient is in remission.and more headaches..
Treatment
The type of treatment required obviously depends on the underlying cause of your pain. The most common type of headaches, "tension headaches" which are said to comprise about 80% of all head aches, respond favorably to chiropractic treatment.Chiropractic treatment of headaches involves locating spinal misalignment or postural problems that may be causing your head pain. It's important to know that your chiropractor is seeking to correct the underlying cause not merely cover it up like medications do. Once the misalignment are found, chiropractic adjustments will begin as well as therapy such as heat or ice, electrical stimulation, cold laser therapy and massage. You my also be given exercises to do at home.
Headaches are a problem affecting millions every day. Luckily, you have learned that most head-aches are caused by muscle tension or spinal misalignment and that those headaches respond well to chiropractic treatment. Therefore if you are suffering from headaches, you owe it to yourself to get checked by a chiropractor specializing in headaches right away.
Most patients with a primary headache require medication; however, other management methods also may be useful. Secondary headaches usually resolve when the underlying neurological or systemic problem is treated.
more information
www.headacheclinic.co.za
www.mayoclinic.com
www.headachepainreliefcentre.ca