The New Nation - Internet Edition

Easir Abedin

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 an illustration 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

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.

*Dehydration.

*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.

*Eyestrain.

*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.

*Medical procedures, such as the aftereffects of a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

*Medicines. Many medicines can cause headaches.

*Muscle strain in the neck, upper back, or shoulder muscles.

*Upper respiratory infections.

Headaches with other serious symptoms

Although rare, a headache may be a sign of a serious illness. Other symptoms, such as vomiting, dizziness, or changes in vision, may also be present. The following serious illnesses or injuries can cause headaches.

*A head injury:

*Injury to the brain

*Fracture of the skull

*Bleeding in or around the brain

*Brain tumor, which causes swelling within the brain.

*Infection in the brain (encephalitis) or of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

*Stroke, a problem that occurs when a blood vessel (artery) that supplies blood to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot.

*A rupture of a blood vessel with bleeding in or around the brain (aneurysm)

Headaches and other health conditions

Other health conditions that can cause or contribute to headaches include:

*Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread muscle and soft tissue pain and tenderness.

*Glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the nerves at the back of the eye.

*High blood pressure (hypertension).

*High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

*Inflammatory problems , such as arthritis, lupus, or giant cell arteritis.

*Kidney disease, which causes wastes to build up in the blood.

*Low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia) or overactivity of the gland that helps control the release of calcium into the blood (hyperparathyroidism).

*Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by certain types of ticks.

*Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.

*Problems with pregnancy, such as severe high blood pressure (preeclampsia).

*Sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleep apnea.

*Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a doctor.

Home Treatment

Most of the time headaches get better or go away with home treatment and do not require a visit to a doctor. Home treatment for headaches can often help reduce the severity of pain and the length of time the pain is present. Home treatment may also relieve other symptoms, such as fever, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, or muscle aches. Start home treatment as soon as you can. Be sure to review the home treatment information for any other symptoms you may have.

If your doctor has prescribed a specific treatment for your headaches, begin treatment as soon as a headache starts. Be sure to follow his or her instructions when taking any prescription medicine for your headache.

For mild pain without other symptoms, try the following:

Rest in a quiet, dark room.

Place a cool compress on your forehead.

Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your pain

*Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)

*Aspirin (also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)

Safety tips: Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box.

Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.

If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it.

If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen (Paracetamol) unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

You may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches by trying:

Relaxation exercises. These exercises can help take away tension and stress that cause headaches or make them worse. For more information, see the topic Stress Management.

Heat, such as hot water bottles, heating pads, or hot baths, to relax tense muscles. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Ice, such as an ice pack applied to the back or the neck or the temples.

Massage therapy and biofeedback, which can reduce muscle tension, especially in your neck and shoulder muscles. This muscle tension can cause headaches or make them worse. For more information, see the topic Complementary Medicine.

When your child has headaches:

Talk to your child. Let him or her know you care. Extra attention and quiet time may be all that is needed to relieve the pain.

If your child's doctor has prescribed a specific treatment for his or her headaches, begin treatment as soon as your child complains of the pain.

Let your child rest quietly in a darkened room with a cool compress on his or her forehead.

If your child's headache pain is mild, encourage him or her to go on with normal activities.

Do not allow your child to avoid chores or other activities unless his or her headache pain is moderate to severe.