Dealing with Migraines

Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine headache knows just how incapacitating it can be. A migraine can put a person in bed with excruciating, pulsating pain. Symptoms of migraines usually include sharp pain on one or both sides of the head. It can be accompanied by nausea and dizziness. Migraine headaches may cause the eyes to be sensitive to light. Migraines are more than just simple headaches and it may be difficult to get relief from the chronic pain of a migraine.

Cluster headaches are a form of migraine that can occur in groups, hence the name cluster, and may last several days or even weeks. The pain can be intense causing the head to throb or pulse. The exact cause of these headaches is unknown but seem to be aggravated by stress, smoking and even certain types of foods.

Painkillers may help to relieve some of the discomfort associated with migraines but those who suffer from repeated headaches such as these should consult a physician. An examination and a series of tests may be performed to try and determine the cause. Medications can be prescribed to aid in the prevention of migraines that act by constricting the blood vessels, which prevent swelling and pressure on the nerves. Other drugs such as beta-blockers may be useful in the prevention of migraines as well.

Headaches may also be caused by eye or teeth problems and high blood pressure. Of course, finding and treating the underlying cause would be the best course of prevention. No doubt you are familiar with sinus headaches, which occur when the sinus cavities become clogged and cannot drain properly. This causes pressure to build which results in pain. The pressure caused by these headaches can be quite intense especially when bending the head.

You may often hear people refer to their pain by making comments such as “Oh, it’s just a headache.” Most of the time it usually is a mild headache with no serious cause but don’t dismiss headaches quite so easily. Chronic and severe headaches could have a serious underlying cause such as a tumor or aneurysm. If you suffer from recurring headaches it would be wise to consult a physician.

Proper diagnosis can allay serious consequences. Thorough examination and testing can reveal any serious abnormalities. Upon inspection of procedures performed such as an electroencephalogram which records electrical activity in the brain and a CAT scan, which will show a cross-sectional picture of the brain, any serious disorder can be detected or ruled out. Early detection can be the deciding factor in the correction of such disorders.

Although everyone gets the occasional tension headache, medical expertise should be sought when experiencing severe headache pain that recurs on a regular basis. It may be time to schedule an eye examination as well especially if you wear glasses or contacts or have a job that causes eye strain such as spending long hours in front of a computer screen. Eyestrain is often found to be a source of headache pain. Do yourself a favor and don’t let headache pain ruin your days.

Article by Darlene Zagata.