Headache – a frequent
troublemaker
Headache is one of the commonest disorder that can
contribute to poor quality of life in women. Headache might lead to
irritability, depression and insomnia if present on a chronic basis. And these
consequences may further aggravate the headache problem leading to a vicious
cycle. At that time what should one do is one question that might come into
everyone’s mind. But before we talk about management we should know the common
causes of headaches that might afflict women frequently.
1.
Migraine
– one of the commonest headache syndromes that affects a woman. It is usually
one sided but may change the side of the head, throbbing, may be associated
with nausea and vomiting, may or may not lacrimation or nasal congestion. Many
patients with migraine have prodromal symptoms that are called aura – that
precede headaches and may be in the form of scintillating lights in the visual
field, some vague sensory symptoms etc. Migraine episodes may last from few
hours to up to 72 hours and may be relieved by sleep. Most of the patients
might have sensitivity to lights and sounds and may have particular trigger
factors like sleep deprivation, excessive physical stress, hormonal changes
(during a woman's menstrual cycle), certain foods (e.g., chocolate, aged
cheeses), beverages (e.g., red wine), strong odours etc. It is not uncommon to
experience mixed tension-migraine headaches.
Migraine is more common in females may be
familial and many patients report more episodes during the time they have their
periods. Few patients of migraine may turn chronic and convert into chronic
daily headache and these are the patients who might need aggressive management.
2.
Tension
type Headache – TTH: It is again an episodic headache that is usually
affects the whole of the head and is associated with stretching sensation or
band like sensation inside the head, which is most of the times associated with
scalp muscle contraction. It is not related with sleep but a lot many times may
be associated with psychological and physical stress. Patients might report
associated insomnia and depression along with it.
3.
Cluster
Headache - : It is again a common type of headache in young populations
though have slightly more predisposition for males. It occurs on one side often
head, would occur in clusters and these episodes are usually associated with
tearing, eyelid drooping and nasal congestion on the side where the headache is
prominent. Pain may last about 20 to 90
minutes at a time. They typically start during sleep. Alcohol and
seasonal change might trigger the bouts of these types of headaches.
4.
Trigeminal
Neuralgia – Sharp shooting electric current like pain on one side of the
head that may last for few seconds but may be the most severe pain that patient
might have experienced in life. It is a neuralgic pain and is because of
involvement of the trigeminal nerve that supplies the sensations on the face.
5. TM Joint dysfunction - It occurs in the
pre-auricular region i.e just in front
of the ear and is increased by movement of the jaws.
6. Hypertension – Increased blood pressure
is yet another cause of acute headache.
7. Medication abuse headache – Many times
overuse of painkillers taken for chronic headache also may lead to Medication
abuse headaches.
8. Sinusitis: The patient with sinusitis will have bi-frontal headache that
is associated with running or stuffy nose and heaviness on the forehead. They
may follow upper respiratory tract infection such as cold and coryza. For
sinusitis ENT specialist might order few specific tests and may prescribe oral
tablets and nasal spray.
9.
There are many other cause of headache but one
should know what one can do at the time of an acute headache and when to
consult a neurologist for further evaluation.
There are some red flags signs that signal that headache might be potentially
serious and may need urgent medical attention –
•
Headache getting worse over days or weeks
•
Headache accompanied by impaired neurological
function (e.g., loss of balance, weakness, numbness, or speech disturbance) and
double vision
•
If there is associated nausea and vomiting
•
If it are associated seizures, mental
disturbances, and loss of consciousness
•
If headache is associated with a fever or stiff
neck (could signal meningitis)
•
If headache is different than the usual pattern
of headaches you have experienced
•
If it is the most severe headache that you have
experienced in your life. intensity
•
If the headache wakes you from sleep or is worse
when you lie down
Will discuss the management in the next article....please look out for it...
Till then enjoy reading and enjoy good health....
If there is particular topic in your mind that you would like to discuss please feel free to write to us on kalpavrikshclinic@gmail.com
Visit our website: www.kvsc.in
No comments:
Post a Comment