'Headache' is an umbrella term under which many kinds exist. For the various types - migraine, cluster, tension-type, ice cream and symptomatic - there are different kinds of treatments. For instance, acute pain can be treated by a simple analgesic or painkiller, as prescribed by a doctor. However, it is essential to address the root cause of the pain, as it will reoccur if not treated properly. Dr Sangeeta Ravat, Head of Neurology department, KEM, tells us how to distinguish one headache from another. While you take aid of prescribed medicines, here are a few home remedies.
Migraine
Migraine is a severe headache type and can have a considerable impact on the daily life of sufferers. It may occur in half of the head called the hemi cranial; this is usually preceded by an aura or the premonitory system. "You may see a coloured halo or bright light, which is called a visual aura. The character of the headache is throbbing. It feels as if someone is hammering your headache along with nausea and vomiting. The migraine patient tends to be photophobia (more sensitive to light) and phonophobia (more sensitive to noise). They cannot bear bright light and loud music. They can't even tolerate people talking loudly. It's that bad," says Ravat. TRIGGERS: Migraines can be genetically linked. However, disturbed sleep pattern, emotional meltdown, hormonal disturbances, physical exertion, weather changes, strong odour, smoking, poor eating pattern, consumption of alcohol, artificial sweeteners, too much caffeine, and food such as nuts, chocolates, and cheese may further exacerbate the migraine problem. RELIEF: Apart from medicines prescribed by the doctor, the herb Kava is known to be a very useful alternative for migraine. Its properties allow a sedative feeling and relax the mind. These effects reduce migraine headaches as well as improve sleep. Garlic is also a strong detoxifier.
Cluster
Cluster headache is an excruciating condition that is rare. It is characterised by frequently recurrent, short lasting headache and autonomic symptoms. Cluster headache type is easily recognisable. The episodic form occurs in bouts (clusters). A sort of unilateral intense pain around the eye develops once or more daily, commonly at night. This headache type is sudden in onset and can last for almost three hours and can occur between once a day, and sometimes even eight times a day. The eye is red and waters, the nose runs or is blocked on that side, and ptosis (drooping eyelid) may occur. As the name suggests this sort of pain, which stems from the migraine family, occurs in a cluster. "It may last for almost two weeks and may occur twice or thrice a year, but unlike migraine, this could go on continuously for two weeks without any symptom free period," says Ravat.
Triggers: There is genetic susceptibility and is caused due to neurotransmitter imbalance. Relief: There is no relief unless you seek medical advice. "In the case of cluster headaches, the doctor may have to give certain steroids and stronger painkillers to relieve the patient. Nasal oxygen mask can relief the attack, as the oxygen saturation of the blood improves and the brain is able to get more oxygen. In migraine, the blood vessels are in spasm. If the spasm is severe, the area of the brain may suffer from lack of blood supply that may lead to some neurological deficit. It's essential to consult your doctor," says Ravat.
Tension-type
This is perhaps the most common type of primary headache. It is a non-specific headache, which is not vascular related to organic disease. It is related to muscle tightening in the back of the neck and/or scalp. There are two general classifications of tension-type headache: episodic and chronic, differentiated by frequency and severity of symptoms.
Episodic tension-type headache occurs randomly and is usually triggered by temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue or anger. Withdrawal from the source of stress or a relatively brief period of relaxation or meditation can help relieve the pain. On the other hand, chronic tension-type headache is a continuous headache, which may have some variability in the intensity of the pain during a 24-hour cycle.
Both are characterised as dull, aching and non-pulsating pain and affect both sides of the head. Symptoms for both types are similar and may include muscles between head and neck contract, a tightening band-like sensation around the neck and/or head. The pain primarily occurs in the forehead, temples or the back on head and/or neck. Ravat says, "But unlike migraine, this type of pain is less severe. It is also known as muscle contraction tension headache. It is very common among young professionals who have stressful jobs."
Triggers: Emotional as well as physical stress cause tension-type headache. There could be an underlying psychological illness such as depression and anxiety. That apart, spending too much time in front of the television and computer can also generate this kind of headache.
Relief: It is advisable for people who have stress-related headaches to practise breathing exercises. Take three deep breaths, all the way in and all the way out, slowly. This works, especially, when you feel a headache coming on. Meditate, as it helps to relax the body and stop the headache. Identify stressors in your life and learn to steer clear from it.
Ice-cream headache
This headache occurs briefly, but the throbbing headache may occur after you eat food that is icy cold. Some people also describe ice cream headaches as brain freeze effects, which are a result of having ice cream, slushy drinks, golas and other frozen food. Even though the pain that is experienced during an ice cream headache is intense, these headaches are rarely serious.
This typically happens among young as well as middle aged people when they've eaten something cold. Sometimes, ice-cream headache involves one eye and bruised after the pain has gone.
Triggers: Consuming cold food such as ice-cream, ice-candies or golas can trigger the pain. Some patients find cold foods trigger the pain. While anybody can suffer from ice cream headaches, people who suffer from migraine are more prone to them. People who have had a prior head injury are also more likely to experience ice cream headaches, as compared to the others.
Relief: There is no particular remedy or treatment for ice cream headache. Normally, soon after you consume the food or the drink that has caused the problem, the problem subsides. If you're prone to this, avoid cold food altogether.
Symptomatic headache
It is a headache, which is secondary to another organic condition such as meningitis, intracranial tumours, and subarachnoid haemorrhage (headache is often described as the worst ever, and is usually but not always) of sudden or ictal onset. Neck stiffness may take hours to develop. In elderly patients particularly, classic symptoms and signs may be absent. Ravat says, "In this case, along with the excruciating pain, the person may also have frequent bouts of blackouts as well as projectile vomiting."
Triggers: Since the headache here serves as a signpost to a bigger problem, it is imperative to investigate the cause of the pain problem or disease.
Relief: One has to treat the root cause under strict medical supervision.
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