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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Headaches Are Common
        
(Message started by: Svenn on Feb 15^th, 2006, 7:21am)

Title: Headaches Are Common
Post by Svenn on Feb 15^th, 2006, 7:21am

Headaches Are Common
Nine in ten have at least one a year

Headaches are a common complaint. According to the American Council for Headache Education, about 90 percent of men and 95 percent of women have experienced at least one headache in the past year.

There are two main types: primary headaches and secondary headaches.

Primary headaches can be further divided into several categories. Tension headaches are the most common type, affecting more than 78 percent of adults at some point. Patients describe the pain as a band-like tightening or steady ache that occurs on both sides of the head. The headaches may be episodic (occurring less than once a month), frequent (occurring 1 to 15 days a month) or chronic (occurring 15 days a month or more). The symptoms can last from a few minutes to a few days and may be triggered by stress.

Migraines are a type of headache characterized by intense throbbing on one side of the head. The condition affects 25 to 30 million Americans and three times as many women as men. Pain is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people experience distinct visual symptoms (like flashing lights, zigzag lines or spots) before the onset of an attack.

Cluster headaches are severe headaches with pain localized around one eye. Some patients have described the pain as "like a poker sticking into the eye." The affected eye may also be inflamed and watery and accompanied by congestion on that side of the face. Cluster headaches begin suddenly and last about 30 to 45 minutes. However, the symptoms usually recur as often as several times a day during a cluster period. The attacks may be followed by a cluster-free period. Cluster headaches are much less common than tension headaches and migraines - affecting about one million Americans. About 90 percent of those with cluster headaches are males.

Secondary headaches are caused by other medical conditions (like infection, high blood pressure or increased pressure within the skull). They are much less common, accounting for only about 10 percent of all headaches.

Some Unusual Headaches

There are many more types of headaches. A thunderclap headache causes sudden severe pain that reaches maximum intensity in less than one minute. The symptoms can last from one hour to several days. Patients often describe the pain as the worst type of headache they have ever had. The symptoms of a thunderclap headache can sometimes be caused by other serious medical problems, like brain hemorrhage, aneurysm or vascular malformation in the brain. So patients need to have a thorough medical check-up to make sure the symptoms aren't caused by a medical problem. The challenge to treating a thunderclap headache is getting medication quickly. Oral drugs take too long to work because they must first be broken down by the digestive tract. Patients may find faster relief with nasal sprays or injectable medications.

Pseudotumor cerebri (false brain tumor) is a headache that mimics signs of a brain tumor. It's caused when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the space between the brain and the skull. In addition to head pain, patients may complain of vomiting, nausea and pulsating sounds from inside the head. Despite diagnostic tests, there are no signs of a brain tumor. However, the increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerves and vision damage. Certain medications (like tetracycline or acne drugs) can sometimes cause symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri. Discontinuation of the drugs often alleviates the symptoms. In some cases, surgeons may place a shunt (drainage outlet) near the optic nerve or in the brain to reduce pressure from excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Hemicrania continua is a type of headache characterized by persistent one-sided head pain. Women are affected more often than men. Symptoms may be similar to those of a cluster headache, with eye tearing or congestion, runny or congested nose and a drooping eyelid (ptosis). The pain is continuous (lasting at least three months) and can interfere with sleep quality. The condition is often diagnosed by its quick response to the anti-inflammatory medication, indomethacin.

Headache Precautions

Headaches are very common and many people quickly self-treat with over-the-counter pain medications. For the occasional everyday kind of headache, self-treatment is usually sufficient. However, if the pain doesn't go away, or continues to come back, patients should seek advice from a physician. Overuse of headache medication can actually cause a "rebound headache" as the medication wears off. Headache specialists can provide specific advice and rule out other treatable causes of the symptoms.

SOURCES

Deborah Friedman, M.D. (featured in story), Neuro-Optomologist, University of Rochester Medical Center, University Public Relations, Box 643, Rochester, NY 14642, interview, August 24, 2005. (Media Contact: Tom Rickey, (585) 275-7954.)

AUDIENCE INQUIRY

If you have unusual headache symptoms, seek advice from a healthcare provider. For general information on headaches:

American Council for Headache Education, http://www.achenet.org

National Headache Foundation, http://www.headaches.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, http://www.ninds.nih.gov

http://www.wowt.com/news/features/2/1558162.html

Svenn

Title: Re: Headaches Are Common
Post by Sean_C on Feb 15^th, 2006, 8:57am

Thanks Svenn :)

Sean........................

Title: Re: Headaches Are Common
Post by E-Double on Feb 15^th, 2006, 8:58am

I've had a headache this year.
Anyone else? ;;D ;)

Title: Re: Headaches Are Common
Post by Carl_D on Feb 15^th, 2006, 9:23am

One million??? One million??? 90 percent are MALES?

The CHenz ought to love that! LOL.

Just glad to see clusters getting some exposure.

Peace,
Carl

Title: Re: Headaches Are Common
Post by Svenn on Feb 15^th, 2006, 9:53am

on 02/15/06 at 09:23:39, Carl_D wrote:

Just glad to see clusters getting some exposure.

Peace,
Carl

I believe its up to US to make sure Cluster get some exposure,and not the I-net.

Svenn

Title: Re: Headaches Are Common
Post by Charlie on Feb 15^th, 2006, 6:30pm

Nice Svenn.

You people do good work.

I just hope that we or OUCH gets some hits too.

Charlie