Head Pain Relief

Migraines often begin at puberty, and affect women more frequently than men. Sometimes occurring with menstruation, hormones can influence the occurrence of migraines. Migraine pain is caused by activation of pain-producing inflammatory substances in the brain. Migraines can be recurrent, sometimes happening for the patient’s entire life. People between the ages of 35 – 45 are most affected by the occurrence of migraines.

Tension headaches are the most common form of headache. Often beginning in the teenage years, tension headaches affect women more frequently than men, and may be caused by stress, hormone fluctuations, nerve compression and/or musculoskeletal problems in the neck.

Cluster headaches occur less frequently than other types of headaches, and affect men more often than women. Cluster headaches are brief, often severe, and typically focus on the area around or behind one eye. Cluster headaches can be episodic or chronic. The cause of cluster headaches is not known, but may be related to abnormalities in the hypothalamus.

Medications can include prescriptions for relief of symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting.

Some prescriptions are used once a migraine begins to stop the progression of the migraine.

Preventative therapy includes medications that help prevent the onset of a headache or other sudden pain. The best candidates for preventative medications (e.g. beta blockers and anti-depressants) are those patients who suffer from severe headaches at least several times a month, and for whom pain medications have not been effective. In some cases, anti-seizure drugs and Botox can be effective in reducing the frequency of migraines in adults.

Learn as much as you can about headaches in general, and migraines in particular. Learn about the different treatment options. Keep track of when your migraines occur, how long they last and how severe they are. List the foods you eat and activities that lead to head pain to help pinpoint potential triggers. Keeping a headache journal will help you in your discussions with your doctor or pain specialist.

There are steps you can take to help reduce the potential frequency or severity of your headaches. For example, eat regular and healthy meals, drink plenty of water to stay adequately hydrated, and avoid caffeinated beverages. Avoid foods with ingredients that can cause headaches, such as food items that contain nitrates (deli meats) or MSG (some Asian foods). Be sure to exercise regularly. Get adequate sleep, but do not sleep too much (find the right balance). Try to maintain to a regular routine.

Overuse of pain medications can actually cause headaches. Avoid the overuse of pain medications by limiting your use of over-the-counter medications to two days a week, if possible. For prescription medications, follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are suffering from a headache, the best thing to do is relax. Stress can make headaches worse. Find a quiet and dark location to rest, and use a cold compress (ice) on your head and/or on the back of your neck. Meditation and yoga can be helpful for muscle relaxation, among other techniques. Take your pain medication as soon as you begin to feel pain rather than waiting for the headache to worsen. Be careful not to take more than the recommended dosage.

Most primary headaches are tension headaches, migraines or cluster headaches. Medication overuse is a common cause of headaches, and various other conditions such as infection and blood vessel issues can also contribute to the onset of headaches. Proper diagnosis of the cause and type of headache is very important.