HEADACHES (CEPHALGIA)

Headaches are one of the most frequent reasons that an individual will visit the doctor. There are many ways to describe the pain of a headache. Dull, aching, throbbing, shooting, sharp, stabbing and lightening-like, are all adjectives used by patients to describe their headache. Headaches can occur suddenly, remain from hours to days, and disappear as suddenly as they came. Headaches are generally an acute manifestation of another condition.

Headaches should be investigated and evaluated by a physician or Chiropractor. This would involve a complete case history, blood laboratory tests, x-rays, and possibly a CT scan and or an MRI. Causes of headaches are varied, and pinpointing those causes should be the first step in determining the necessary treatment and the proper course of action.

The cause of chronic headaches is generally the most difficult to diagnose. Headaches of recent origin require a more intensive investigation. Infrequent headaches are generally related to acute causes, such as fever, alcohol consumption, eyestrain, sleep deprivation and fatigue. The area of the head in which the headaches occur is extremely important a factor in determining the cause of the headache.

Tumors, although rare, can be a cause of recent onset of headaches, and may affect the area of the head where the tumor is localized. Changing the position of the head may relieve the headache or increase its' intensity. Even though the headache may be localized at first, it can become more generalized in nature. The headache of such tumors can last intermittently for a few hours each day. Tumors may have metastasized as in cancer from other sites. A cancer patient needs active investigation for metastases. There are many more causes of headache other than tumors. These are more frequent in nature and they are:

1. High blood pressure (Hypertension).
2. Sinusitis and post-nasal drip.
3. Eyestrain and other eye problems.
4. Throat problems.
5. Teeth problems.
6. TMJ (tempromandibular joint problems).
7. Problems of the ear and inner ear.
8. Muscle tension.
9. Stress (frequent cause of muscle tension).
10. Nerve pressure or traction on a nerve or nerves in the neck. (Another description can be pinched nerve).
11. Contraction or dilation of blood vessels in the head.
12. Post-traumatic such as falls, automobile accident (whiplash), and sports related injuries.
13. Cluster headaches, very common and can be related to stress, and histamine release.
14. Genetic (inherited tendency).
15. Psychological.
16. Environmental (being exposed to chemical fumes, poor air quality and allergic type plants and grasses).

Migraine headaches are one of the more severe headache types and can be very debilitating in nature. Migraines are more recurrent headaches, and may or may not be associated with visual and GI (gastrointestinal) disturbances, causing nausea and vomiting. There is no known cause, however, it is generally thought that it is due to constriction or dilation of blood vessels in the circulation of the head. Flashes of light, changes in eyesight and some numbness and tingling often precede migraine. Pain usually occurs one side of the head, but at times may be generalized. Migraines can occur on a daily basis or once in several months, and can last for hours or days. Intolerance to light, nausea and vomiting and no appetite usually accompany them. Migraines can start at any age, and are more prone in women, starting between the ages of 10 and 30. After the age of 50, migraine may or may not go into remission.

"Cluster" headaches, due to histamine release are usually abrupt in nature and severe. They are usually one-sided, involving the eye, temple, face and neck. Blood vessels are dilated on the side of pain. Flushing occurs due to the dilation of blood vessels. There is puffiness beneath the eye, tearing of the eye and running of the nose. There can be constriction of the pupil. The side of the neck can be tender around the carotid artery (the artery on the side of the neck). The headache can occur on and off.

One of the most frequent types of headaches may be due to muscle tension or a spinal problem in the neck. Misalignment of spinal vertebrae can cause nerve impingement (pinched nerve) that can result in pressures in the head. They also affect the muscles and circulation of the blood vessels. These headaches too, can last for hours, days or months. Occupation plays and enormous role in this type of headache. Those engaged in a repetitive motion jobs are uniquely prone, such as truck, taxi drivers, machine, and telephone and computer operators. Also included can be Dentists, Hygienists, construction and assembly line workers. Almost all professions are susceptible in one-way or another, and we must not exclude the "couch potato". Inactivity causes muscle disuse and results in musculoskeletal disorders.

What course can then be taken by the individual to relieve their headaches? That of course depends on how aggressive they are in pursuing their desire to help themselves. The number one priority is seeing their physician or Chiropractor for and evaluation and diagnoses. Once this has been accomplished, the course of treatment must be decided. The diagnosis will of course determine what that treatment will be. Headache caused by tumor may require chemotherapy, x-ray therapy or possibly surgery. Headaches of arterial origin may require drug therapy, and headaches of psychogenic origin may require psychological intervention. Those of musculoskeletal origin can best be treated by a Chiropractor. Correcting the spinal imbalance can alleviate pinched nerves and muscle tension.

Of course it is the individual who must be at the forefront of his own treatment. At home, self-care can be the single most important factor in whether they will be relieved of their headaches, or not. Simple aids can be of tremendous value. Using an analgesic gel three or four times daily on the muscles of the neck and upper back, can relieve the pain and tension of these sore muscles. Another modality can also accompany this treatment. Using a vibrator on this area can add to the relief, and should also be used three to four times daily.

Going to sleep the same time each night, even on weekends, can be extremely important and will prevent undue fatigue. Try to avoid stressful situations. Each day designate a time of day and reserve one half hour to be alone and meditate. Avoid eyestrain and do not read or watch television for long periods of time. Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet and avoid foods that can trigger headaches. Such foods are: red wine, caffeine, chocolate, cheese, lentils, processed meats and citrus fruits. Avoiding monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a must. Do not sit for long periods of time. Do not sit for longer than an hour at a stretch, whether you are on the phone, playing cards, riding in an automobile or flying. Inactivity is a killer.

These are the things the individual can do to help relieve headaches and improve their general health and obtain relief from painful symptoms. The results you obtain in the long run depend on you.

Please note this addendum added on 8/30/07

I received a call from a young lady named, Debra Shomecki.She was a dog handler, and she  told me how she  suddenly developed severe migraine headaches causing the most excruciating pain. She also came down with a severe eye infection just by the act of rubbing her eyes. After many grueling doctors visits and tests, it was determined that the eye infection and the micro-organisms that caused it, also literally went to her head causing these extremely painful migraine headaches. She felt by telling her story, it would alert others to keep their hands away from the eyes.