Trivia: Headaches

In honor of National Headache Awareness Week (June 1–7, 1008), here is some information about headaches, otherwise known as cephalalgia.

Types of Headaches

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) lists four types of headache:

Vascular – This group of headaches involve blood vessel dilation or swelling as the major component in the production of pain. The most common type of vascular headache is the migraine. Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraines, which are most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55; about 75% of sufferers are women and 25% are men. Other examples are toxic headaches, which are produced by fevers or environmental exposures (e.g., pollution, allergens, fragrances); cluster headaches, which are severe, recurrent, short-lasting headaches, which typically occur in younger people (aged 20 to 40) and affect men more than women, at a rate of about 2-3:1; and headaches resulting from high blood pressure.

Tension (muscle contraction) – These headaches result from tightening or tensing the facial and neck muscles. Tension headaches of the episodic type are usually triggered by temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue, or anger. Chronic-type tension headaches may result from anxiety or depression, sleep problems, etc. Most adults will experience a tension headache in their lives – some estimates say about 78% of adults experience them, while others say up to 90% experience them!

Traction – These headaches result from traction on intracranial structures by masses (e.g., tumors, hematomas, abscesses).

Inflammatory – These headaches result from tissue inflammation (e.g., sinus disorders).

But beyond the types, how many different kinds of headaches are there? WebMD reports that 150 diagnostic headache categories have been established!

What Should I Do About Headaches?

As everyone knows, not every headache requires medical attention or prescription medication; some headaches can be prevented by stress reduction, relaxation techniques, getting adequate sleep, making diet changes, and/or taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

The National Headache Foundation recommends that you see your healthcare provider if your headache:

• is sudden and severe

• occurs with fever, stiff neck, or uncontrollable vomiting

• causes confusion or loss of consciousness

• is persistent, when previously you've been headache free

• is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or vision loss

• begins after the age of fifty years

• begins after head injury or other trauma

• interferes with your ability to function normally at work or in social situations

• requires medication more than two days per week.

And they offer the Seven Healthy Habits of Headache Sufferers:

• Diet: Eat regular meals, avoiding foods and drinks that are known to trigger headache attacks;

• Sleep: Maintain a regular sleeping schedule, including weekends and vacations;

• Stress: Implement stress reduction techniques into your daily life;

• Headache diary: Keep a headache diary of when your headaches occur, along with any triggers, and share the information with your healthcare provider;

• See your healthcare provider: Make an appointment with your healthcare provider to specifically discuss your headache;

• Be a partner in your headache care: Be informed, be a participant in your treatment and be an advocate for your headache care; and,

• Education: Stay apprised of the latest headache news and treatment options by visiting headaches.org.

For more information about headaches, see:

• The American Headache Society

• WebMD's Migraines & Headaches Guide

• Medline Plus's Headache page

• Mayo Clinic's Headache Center

Types of Headaches

What Should I Do About Headaches?

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