Overview

Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily experiences, painful headaches, and nausea. It is a common condition which affects women more frequently than it does men.

The typical migraine headache is one-sided and pulsating, lasting 4 to 72 hours. Accompanying complaints are nausea and vomiting, and a heightened sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia) and noise (hyperacusis). Approximately one third of people who experience migraine get a preceding aura, in which a patient may sense a strange light or unpleasant smell. Patients often describe triggers they feel precipitate an episode of migraine, such as certain foods and beverages (like chocolate or alcohol), stress or menstruation. In some migraine types there are typical features but the headache remains absent, and in children abdominal pain may be a prominent feature.

Although the exact cause of migraine remains unknown, the most widespread theory is that it is a disorder of the serotonergic control system. Genetic factors may also contribute. Studies on twins show that genes have a 60 to 65% influence on the development of migraine. Fluctuating hormone levels show a relation to migraine in several ways: three quarters of adult migraine patients are female while migraine affects approximately equal numbers of boys and girls before puberty,[citation needed] and migraine is known to disappear during pregnancy in a substantial number of sufferers.

The treatment of migraine begins with simple painkillers for headache and anti-emetics for nausea, and avoidance of triggers if present. Specific anti-migraine drugs can be used to treat migraine. If the condition is severe and frequent enough, preventative drugs might be considered.

The word migraine is French in origin and comes from the Greek hemicrania, as does the Old English term megrim. Literally, hemicrania means "half (the) head".

Friday, October 16, 2009

Types of headache and their treatment


Headache


Reports suggest that at least 40% people in the UK suffer headache at some point to the extent that can affect the quality of their life. It is generally defined as a pain in and around the head. Some types of headaches are discussed below briefly.



What are tension headaches?


The most common type of headache suffered by the majority of people worldwide is due to tension-type. Tension headache are also known as stress headache or muscular headaches. If it occurs more frequently, then you should seek treatment. However, occasional headaches are common to occur at least once or twice in a month. During the times of excess stress, headaches can be even more frequent. The symptoms of tension headaches are pain or pressure on both sides of the head, pain at your temples, and pain at the back of your head or neck.



What are Cluster headaches?



The cluster headaches are frequent and short-lived. They can last even less than an hour. The most common symptoms of cluster headache include excruciating knife-like pain that is centred on one eye, and can spread to other areas on the same side of the head. You may feel excess sweating, redness, or watering of the eye. Your nose becomes runny or bunged-up and sometimes an eyelid droops. Most of the sufferers may feel agitated and unable to sit.



What is Sinus headache?


If you have a deep and constant pain in your forehead, cheekbones, or the bridge of your nose, then these are considered as symptoms of Sinus headache. Some other symptoms of Sinus headaches are runny nose, fever, and facial swelling.


Treatment of headaches


Irrespective of its type, headaches can greatly affect your sleep and life. It can lead to fatigue, tiredness, and even stress. An immediate treatment should be sought for headaches if they occur frequently and cause a major health problem. You can try a host of therapies for headache treatment such as:


  • Aromatherapy - In this therapy, oil taken out of flowers, fruits, leaves, shrubs, and tress is used for therapeutic benefits.

  • Chiropractic - It means gentle manipulation of muscles and joints to reduce pain and promote good health.

  • Physiotherapy - It is the most commonly used therapy for treating a host of physical injuries, diseases, and dysfunction.



For immediate relief from headaches, most people simply take painkillers that sometimes prove effective for most types of headaches. However, it can be risky if you take medications too often. You should try to reduce taking painkillers as much as possible. Instead look for other treatments that are less risky.


With the help of medical technology, some revolutionary devices have been designed that help in the treatment of headaches. One of these popular devices is Cefaly, which uses electrotherapy for pain relief. This device is easy to use and incredibly comfortable. There are no side effects of using this medical device, as it has been well tested in its many trials. Cefaly can be available from any local store or online.



Autor: MarkBevan

Webmaster associated with migraine headache related site. This site provides various information on migraine, headache and stress relief treatment. Resources are available on site headclinic.co.uk


Added: October 16, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Types-of-headache-and-t~

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