Article by Frank K Muller

Headaches can be quite common in children There was a boy of lessthan ten who, one day out of the blue, developed a severeheadache. His vision was so blurry that he was unable to see,and he suffered from severe nausea. Upon examination, thedoctor diagnosed him as suffering from a migraine attack andrecommended a quiet, dark room until the headache passed.The trigger was unknown. In the same family, there was a girl who suffered from multiplemigraine attacks throughout high school. Most of her triggers were stress-related, butsome were related to food or hormones. For awhile the migraines were sporadic, orepisodic, usually only occurring due to long trips or caffeine ingestion. The headachesbecame more frequent when there was more tension between her and her parents,usually due to the typical teen-related issues. After the death of a close loved one, theheadaches became almost daily for awhile because of the sudden increase in stress. In a survey among adolescents ranging in age from ten to seventeen, nearly two-thirdsof them reported experiencing headaches. Brain tumors are usually the parent’s biggest fear when it comes to headaches inchildren, but that is rarely the case. There are many medications that can cause or exacerbate a headache or migraine. Only about one-third of all migraine sufferers have food triggers. Because there are somany different possible food triggers, restricting someone’s diet is not a reasonableoption unless a dietary trigger is found. Caffeine overuse is common amongst teenagers who suffer from migraine or chronic daily headache.  Headaches are generally classified the same way in children as they are in adults:primary and secondary. In children, migraine pain is usually throbbing and almostalways accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Unlike in adults, the migraine is usuallyfelt on both sides of the head rather than only on one. It is not uncommon for the childto look pale or glassy-eyed during an attack. They may also experience varyingdegrees of irritability. In general, the most common cause of headaches in children is viral and bacterialinfections, and these headaches only last as long as the illness. Treatment for allheadaches is tailored individually depending on the age and weight of the child and thefrequency and severity of the headaches. It is very interesting to note that the attacksexperienced are often less frequent and intense when the child is reassured that noserious problem exists Less than 5% of children suffer from headaches that are a result of a serious disease orphysical problem which includes an abscess (a localized collection of pus surroundedby swelling), head trauma, tumor, blood clot, intracranial bleeding (bleeding in thebrain), or bacterial or viral meningitis (a swelling and irritation of the membranessurrounding the brain and spinal cord). These are considered organic causes ofheadache, and a physician will probably want to rule them out.  If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, call your physician: o The child has a seizure or loses consciousness.o The child loses balance or coordination.o The child begins sleeping more than usual or too much, or is lethargic orsluggish.o The child exhibits a personality change.o The child experiences weakness, nausea, projectile vomiting, or visual problems.o The child has a stiff neck and fever in addition to the headaches. Major triggers of headaches in children and adolescents are lack of adequate sleep,stress brought on by busy schedules, and poor eating habits. For many students,transformation from episodic migraine to daily headache coincides with the start of eachnew school year. The typical teenager actually needs about nine to ten hours of sleepper night, but most do not get that. In very small children, restlessness, irritability, or crying may be the only signs of headpain. When a headache is caused by head trauma, it may be from a possibleconcussion. It may affect only the scalp or bone, or it may affect the brain itself. See the report on this at: http://tinyurl.com/ohmyhead     

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Question by K Mom: Do women get headaches when they start menopause?
I’m 49 and had a partial hysterectomy about 25 years ago, so I don’t “physically” know if I”m entering menopause. But recently I’ve been having a lot of headaches. 2 and 3 times a day. Sometimes they last for an hour, sometimes they last over 4 hours. Sometimes they come in cycles (every 3 – 4 minutes with throbbing at the temples), sometimes my head hurts so bad it makes me want to vomit.

My co worker says I might be in menopause…could that be?

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Article by Joanna Jacobs

It could possibly be a fair guess that every person has experienced the discomfort of a headache. If it comes to painfulness, the common, ordinary headache does not even start to compare to migraine headaches. Actually, I used to get migraines when I was very young but they ended. They lasted several years and then suddenly stopped, and I am thrilled for that. There is much to be discovered about migraines because they are not understood by researchers. There are many reasons for this not the least of which is individuals can perceive and feel pain in distinct ways. This is a hugely involved area, and this indicates doctors have a long way to go before a clear picture emerges.

Even so, just like with so many topics in medicine, a lot is recognized about migraine headaches. You can hear migraines referenced as a form of vascular headache, and that merely means it is related to the system of veins and vessels in our body. People happen to be known to get a migraine when exposed to excessive temperatures in either direction. Next there are people who can have this type of headache if they encounter abnormal sleep loss or too much hunger. All this implies that there are external factors for migraines in a few people. Another reason for a migraine can be excessive and chronic amounts of stress.

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Article by Laura Diamond

Headaches can be terribly debilitating, and it is something many of us have had the misfortune to endure. If it comes to painfulness, the common, ordinary headache won’t even begin to compare to migraine headaches. I had a period when very much younger, and I used to have migraines about once a month. I don’t have them, but I can tell you they are tremendously painful experiences. It is somewhat fascinating that headaches, and especially migraines, are not fully understood by the medical community. There are hundreds of factors, if not more, and one very puzzling element is the people have varied pain sensations. But there is much more to this story which is complicated and has many parts to it.

Even so, just like with numerous topics in medicine, a lot is known about migraine headaches. To begin with, migraines are sometimes termed, vascular headaches, which means the vascular system of blood veins and arteries. Apparently either very low or perhaps high temperatures may encourage a migraine event. Then there could be other causes such as insufficient amounts of various physical needs connected with eating and sleeping. Exactly like with so many other medical issues, there are certain triggers that appear to influence this condition. We mentioned several areas, already, but there are others such as chronic stress.

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Migraines are a very common and distressing problem. Studies show that as much as 5 to 10% of the population is suffering regularly from this annoying condition. Three out of four migraine sufferers are women. Migraines are responsible yearly for countless number of missed workdays.

Migraine attacks can last from hours to several days and are often recurring. A typical migraine attack is separated in a prodrome (feeling of a migraine attack coming), the headache per se and the recovery phase.

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Tension Headaches: What They Are And What To Do Tension headaches are a common ailment. Nearly 90% of all adults have them occasionally. But being in good company with an aching head is no comfort. Here’s how you can identify, treat and prevent a tension headache. What is a Tension Headache? A tension headache causes mild to moderate discomfort or pain in the head or neck. The pain is dull and aching, but not pulsating. Many people say it feels like a tight band around their skull. Most experts believe tension headaches are related to tight muscles in the scalp or neck. This muscle tension decreases blood flow to those areas, which increases the feeling of pain. There are two classifications of tension headaches: episodic and chronic. Episodic headaches are random, occurring less than 15 days a month. They’re usually brought on by stress, fatigue or anger. As a result, they’re often referred to as “stress headaches.” Chronic headaches appear daily for many hours, and for more than 15 days a month for several months. They can be caused by stronger emotional events, such as anxiety or depression. How Can I Treat My Headache without Medication? Treating and preventing tension headaches require two on-going activities: identifying the triggers and creating healthy lifestyle and dietary habits. One of the best ways to discover what causes your headaches is to keep a headache diary. When a headache occurs, note the date and time. Then make a list of what you ate and drank over the last 24 hours. Note when you went to bed and how long you slept. Finally, be sure to describe what you were experiencing at the time of the headache, such as frustration and anxiety, or fatigue and stress. After a few occurrences, review your notes and see what you learn from them. Is there a specific food or ingredient that shows up repeatedly? You may have an undiagnosed food allergy. These are common in people who suffer from periodic headaches. Typical allergens include wheat, milk and eggs. You may also be sensitive to soy, chocolate, pickled meats and certain types of wine. Your diary may be telling you it’s time for other lifestyle changes, as well. You may need more sleep and regular exercise. If you stand or sit in one place frequently, note your body posture. Even if it’s good, try moving and stretching every hour or so to keep your muscles limber and re-invigorate blood flow. You may even try hot or cold showers or baths when a headache sets in. Some people find relief this way–perhaps you’ll be among the lucky ones. When Should I See a Doctor? Tension headaches are uncomfortable, but they’re not dangerous. However, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner if headaches are disrupting your life, or if you’re taking over-the-counter medication more than twice a week. Be sure to seek prompt medical attention if your pain is severe or accompanied by other symptoms. Don’t let tension headaches harass you with ongoing discomfort. Learn to recognize and address the triggers, and you’ll soon find the relief you deserve.

Have you ever experienced a sudden and excruciating pain as if your eyes are about to jump out of their sockets? If these pain episodes occur at the same time within days, or only during certain times of seasons, then most likely, you are suffering from cluster headaches.

A cluster headache is definitely one of the most painful form of headaches but there are many other types of headaches identified by medical experts, such as migraines and the caffeine and the cervicogenic headaches.

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It is widely believed that one in seven people in the United States gets a headache every day of their life! Now, most of these that are experienced are not migraines but can be many other types of headaches including “stress headaches“. But is stress actually responsible for these headaches and how are they connected?

Well, medically there is no exact definition for this type of headache but it is known to be caused by tension in the muscles of the forehead, neck, and face that can be caused by stress. So, essentially, stress has a connection to headaches because it induces the tension and muscle contraction that is the root of the pain you feel. Naturally, if you can reduce your stress you will be able to reduce this tension in the muscles and often times can prevent headaches from occurring.

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The most common type of headache, the tension headache is experienced by nearly 80% of adults at some point in their lives. A nonspecific headache, a tension headache is not vascular or migrainous, and is not related to any organic disease. Likely due to a chemical or neuronal imbalance in the brain, tension headaches have also been linked to muscle strain and tightening in the neck or scalp.

The pain can be very mild, or quite severe, with a tightening feeling that resembles a vice in the temples, or even at the sides and back of the head. Rarely do sufferers experience nausea or sensitivity to light from this type of headache, but it is has been reported in some cases.

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Have you had headaches lately or for a long while?  Have you been told they’re from stress?  If so, you have reason to be doubtful. Dr. David Posen (The Little Book of Stress Relief, 2003), diagnoses chronic stress with a checklist.  Items queried include clenching of the jaw, teeth grinding, sore, tight muscles, and dizziness and, of course, headaches. It’s no mystery that long-term exposure to stress can really be problematic for you.

When stress is acute, however, your body will gear up its stress response system to help you meet the danger or trouble.  Your heart may speed up and beat harder, your muscles may tighten up, you may feel dryness in your mouth, you might begin to sweat profusely and you may develop a knot-like feeling in the pit of your stomach.  Headaches, however, are rarely associated with acute stress.  With acute stress, the body needs to be alert, not suffering from headaches.  In fact, if you didn’t have this excited type of response to sudden danger or stress, you would probably need to be checked to see if you’re alive.

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