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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Kids who suffer from headaches, especially chronic headaches, tend to lose out on a lotgrowing up. Maybe they can’t play sports or join the band. They don’t make plans toattend the prom with their friends out of fear of having an attack. Hanging out withfriends at the mall seems to be an almost impossible task. If they lived a headache-freelife, they may not feel like social outcasts because they can actually participate in thingsthat their friends are doing. They can get in trouble for breaking curfew but know that itwas worth it because of the memories they made. Going out to cheer for the localfootball game will no longer be a dream but reality. Life can be more normal.See the report on this at: http://tinyurl.com/ohmyhead

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

Any similar experiences?

Best answer:

Answer by Q
Yes, that is likely the reason. Low estrogen levels, and dropping estrogen levels, as happen in menopause, cause migraines.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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.

Regarding the extreme pain, migraines are unique because the pain seems to take much longer to build up. However, that is just one more clue related to migraines, but every last piece of the puzzle helps. These revelations just look to be more pieces to the entire puzzle. There may also be a genetic aspect involved, however that does not seem to pertain to all migraine sufferers. That does point to other potential causes such as external triggers that produce the same effect.

For women, there can be a connection with hormone variations and migraines. The usual menstrual cycle can often cause a migraine either preceeding or following the cycle. Estrogen does not stay stable at these times for women. Maternity and subsequently the menopausal years are also periods of wild alterations in hormones. A proportion of women will very likely have a greater frequency of migraine episodes during these periods. It could be important to note that the technique known as HRT, hormonal replacement therapy, can make migraines more painful than they already are. An additional feature that really isn’t going to help with comprehending is that isn’t seen in every woman who gets migraine headaches.

Other extra migraine precursors involve overpowering odors from virtually anything plus vibrant lights or loud music. It is clear that the range of migraine triggers is highly diverse. Even more circumstances that lead to this can be a greater than usual amount of physical activity. The precise reasons for these headaches is a difficult condition for researchers to understand.

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Joanna’s websites: Signs of Teething, Weaning Babies, 3 Month Old Baby and Babies Crying.

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.

Relating to the overwhelming pain, migraines are distinct because the pain appears to take much longer to build up. That suggests certain ramifications to doctors but nothing particularly definitive. It appears that the current situation is that medical researchers have a lot of data from which they can try to use. There may also be a genetic factor involved, however that does not seem to pertain to all migraine sufferers. But since not every person is in that category, then that directs doctors to examine ourside influences.

Swings in the quantities of hormones can bring on these headaches in some women. The usual menstrual cycle may cause a migraine either prior to or following the cycle. Estrogen does not stay stable at these situations for women. Further periods of hormone alterations include menopause and certainly pregnancy. As you could possibly be thinking, there are some who have higher incidences of migraines at those times. The intensity of a migraine can be made worse for some if they have replacement therapy for hormones. Alternatively, all of those experiences do not happen to all women who endure migraines.

There are numerous other factors involved that may result in a migraine among them sensory stimulation such as loud noises, certain odors, bright lights and an assortment of smells including perfumes and other diverse odors. It is distinct that the variety of migraine triggers is highly diverse. Some people can get them from physical activities that tend to be in excess of what that person normally gets. All of that helps make unraveling the secret of migraines considerably more difficult.

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Laura’s website: Cotton Skirts, Crombie Coat, Georgia O Keefe Paintings and Houndstooth Coat.

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.

My purpose today is not to give a detailed dissertation on the physiology and the diagnosis of migraines as this, per se, has the power to give anyone a throbbing headache.

Every migraine sufferer has the difficult task of identifying the triggering factors for their attacks and removing them as much as possible from their daily life. The most common causing factors are: alcohol, caffeine (whether it be coffee or other foods containing caffeine such as tea, chocolate or certain soft drinks or energy drinks ), physical stimuli such as motion sickness, strong odours, solvents or fumes, etc.

Migraine sufferers have also often linked their migraine attacks to changes in their own body. Such changes can be hormonal (pre-menstrual and menstrual period for a woman), great variations of blood sugar in diabetic people, sleep disturbances and secondary effects of many medications. Poor working posture like bending forward towards the computer keyboard for eight hours in a day can cause tension in the neck and head muscles and trigger headaches or migraines.

Many treatments are available on the market today and every person suspecting to suffer from migraines should consult their doctor first for proper diagnosis and treatment. Migraine sufferers need to be informed that migraine treatments are just temporary solutions to a problem that will recur if the underlying cause is not lifted. Hence, a migraine sufferer can enjoy relief of her current migraine episode but if she does not implement any life changes, the migraine episodes will tend to recur.

Furthermore, many migraine treatments are powerful medications and carry their own risks of side effects not to mention their astronomical prices that can give anyone a solid headache.

One factor that has been well overlooked in the migraine equation is the predominant role stress plays. Migraine is a modern scourge because we live in a society where production and stress go hand in hand. Not long ago, migraines were unheard of. Migraine sufferers have to seriously examine the triggering factors for their episodes and change their unhealthy lifestyles. Too often a person suffering from a mild tension headache will take alcohol hoping to alleviate their stress, to only wake-up with a splitting migraine the next day.

Parts of healthy living consist of eating generous amounts of fruits, vegetables and fibres. It is also proven that people who exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week) suffer less from tension headaches and migraines.

Although stress cannot be completely removed from our daily lives, one’s reaction to everyday stressors can be greatly controlled and managed. Hypnosis has proven very efficient in helping people cope with their daily stress thus reducing, if not eliminating completely, the rate of headaches and migraine attacks in a year.

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.

It should be noted that people suffering from cluster headaches should not worry that much because this type of headache typically is not arising from another underlying and probably more serious illness.

However, to be safe, a person suffering sudden and sharp headaches more often should still consult the doctor for proper education about this type of headache.

Cluster headache attacks

Cluster headaches were called such because the headache episodes occur frequently and at the same time within periods. For example, a person may experience terrible headache every 2 p.m. of the day for the whole summer. After summer, that person will not feel the headache anymore, until the following summer, when the cluster of headaches start to reappear.

Often, the area affected by the excruciating headache pain is also remain on that particular and same area of the head. It is rare that the center of the pain on cluster headaches transfer to another site or region of the head.

On the next cluster of headache attacks, it is weird and amazing to note that the pain would remain on that site where the pain is excruciatingly felt during the duration of the attacks.

Another striking uniqueness of the cluster headache is its timing and duration. On the average, a cluster headache attack lasts about 45 to 90 minutes. Experts note that attacks also more than often occur at certain times of the day, usually about 1 to 2 in the morning, or between 1 to 3 in the afternoon. Reported cases also occur at about 9 in the evening before the sleeping time of the patient.

Another distinct quality of this type of headache is that it occurs abruptly and also ends as abruptly. The pain is almost unbearable that patients normally scream or bang their heads during attacks. There were cases when patients attempted to commit suicide to free themselves from the suffering led by the painful episodes.

Symptoms of cluster headaches

Aside from those mentioned above, there are also other symptoms that can be indicative of the presence of cluster headache in a person.

A person suffering from the periodic disease experience swelling in the eye area, drooping of the eyelids and runny aor stuffy nostrils. The patient also exhibit flushed face and his eye pupils are reduced in size.

Restlessness is first and foremost noticeable at the onset of the cluster attacks. Usually, patients experience difficulty in sleeping and are easily annoyed. Thus, these people tend to prefer being alone often.

As symptoms exist, you should make sure to immediately seek expert and medical consultation to be sure. The doctor could prescribe pain relief drugs or recommend techniques about how to alleviate the painful attacks.

Not much can be expected over prevention, because up until now, the real cause behind cluster headaches is still yet to be identified. Currently, researchers believe that such headaches are hereditary, or runs in the bloodline in the family.

Treatment

Cluster headaches are treatable, but not exactly curable. There are cases when a patient suddenly stops having attacks. On the contrary, there are cases when the attacks get more severe and more often.

To treat cluster headache attacks, you should take the normal dosage of pain relievers. Injections and ointments could also be of good help, as well as occasional sessions with the physical therapist.

There are non-conventional and accidental treatments that have also been proven to prevent cluster headache attacks. Among such is the botox anti-wrinkling beauty injection, which was recently discovered to help prevent the onset of headache episodes for up to six months after administration.

Cluster headaches are really painful. No one wants them. But if you happen to have one, do not worry, because it is not life-threatening, only painful. Just stick to healthy lifestyle, stay away from alcoholic drinks and cigarettes, and you would certainly help yourself avoid the disease.

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.

Science has in recent years developed very effective treatments and medicines for migraine headache sufferers but little has been designed to handle “stress headaches”. The common thread between migraines and tension headaches is that both cause inflammation which is related to the nervous system which controls our adrenaline. Adrenaline created energy within our muscles and nerves which triggers other chemical responses leading to excess inflammation and ultimately pain.

Tension or stress can lead to habits such as teeth grinding, frowning, squinting and other things caused by negative emotions. These behaviors lead to further pain and can make the headache worse. So, if this sounds like something you do, you should definitely look into stress management and relaxation techniques.

Try to relax your face, jaw, and eyes as well as your shoulders and neck muscles. Massage can be very effective in relaxing these muscles and can go a long way in preventing or at the very least lessening the severity of your headaches. If you suffer from frequent “stress headaches” the good news is that you can naturally heal yourself without relying on medications or expensive treatments by simply learning how to reduce and handle your stress levels.

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.

There are three distinct categories of tension headaches. They include:

Episodic Headaches – These occur less than once a month and are triggered by stress, anxiety, fatigue or even anger. Most commonly referred to as “stress headaches,” the episodic tension headache often responds well to over-the-counter medications and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, music therapy and deep muscle massage.

Frequent Headaches – Sufferers report 1-15 days of symptoms per month with this category of headache. Frequent headaches can also be accompanied by full-blown migraines and should be reviewed by a physician.

Chronic Headaches – This type of tension-style headache occurs more than 15 days per month, and evolves over time from episodic headaches to chronic ones. They can occur daily in some sufferers, and may last for hours as the pain peaks and falls during a 24-hour cycle. Chronic tension headaches are often a result of depression, and should be discussed and diagnosed by a medical doctor.

Patients often report awakening with the headache in the morning, with little or no relief during the course of the day. Other side effects may include: nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and poor concentration. Some patients have found relief by using antidepressant medications, even when depression was not the underlying cause for the headaches. Habitual analgesic therapy must be strictly avoided for this type of headache, due to its strong link to addiction and other physical side effects. Biofeedback has also been found to be helpful.

Although common, living with tension headaches can be quite difficult for some sufferers. Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent, contain and lesson the severity of attacks. There are many medical treatments available, both over the counter and prescribed by a doctor.

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.

When it seems, however, that your best efforts to control stress have had no effect on getting rid of the headaches, the reason is likely that stress is not the problem. Headaches, like other symptoms, are often misdiagnosed and stress seems to be a good place to dump whole host of symptoms that are challenging to understand. Many people, for example, are not aware that food allergies can cause headaches.  Lactose intolerance (problems digesting milk) and wheat gluten allergy (problems digesting wheat) are two examples of food allergies that may cause headaches? It is worth your while to have a check up with a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) because a large group of people in North America don’t suffer from stress headaches at all. Everyone, of course, needs to effectively manage stress, but it’s not probable you will ever solve your headaches if they have nothing to do with stress.

I read a report, not too long ago, from an organic grain-growing cooperative (kootenaygraincsa.ca), which would make you shiver. The processes that manufacturers and growers do to the wheat we consume as bread and bagels and buns will shock you. No wonder, we all have headaches and other symptoms. It’s incredible that’s all we have.  I can’t imagine how many of us probably have Celiac Disease and if that doesn’t worry you, I don’t know what will. It’s downright disturbing. So, go to a Naturopathic Doctor and find out if your headaches are caused by something else besides stress.

Paul Zane Pilzer, economist and author of the Wellness Revolution, discovered an interesting statistic.  It seems less than 6% of doctors take courses in nutritional medicine while in school and once they begin their practices, almost all training is offered by drug companies. It is unlikely; you will be able to get an accurate diagnosis about headaches from your doctor unless he or she also knows about nutritional medicine. It’s time you got a break from stress headaches. The best stress management program in the world isn’t going to help you if you’re treating the wrong condition. So find out for sure and start feeling better soon because stress really isn’t as hard to understand as you might think.

Headaches during pregnancy are very challenging as over the counter pain killers are not recommended. Read on to see what you can do to relieve the pain from your headaches during pregnancy.

First of all let’s address why some pregnant women suffer from headaches during pregnancy. Within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy the surging hormones play a part in the development of pregnancy headaches. The 40% increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy increases pressure within the blood vessels and this itself can cause pregnancy headaches. Headaches during the last month of pregnancy may also be caused by a condition called preeclampsia, which is associated with high blood pressure, swelling and protein in the urine.

Stress

Lack of sleep

Vomiting

Low blood sugar

Dehydration

Caffeine withdrawal

Nicotine withdrawal

Poor posture

Pregnancy related vision changes

Reduce stress.

Get more sleep.

Treat your early morning sickness.

Eat regularly to avoid low blood sugar levels.

Drink adequate amounts of high quality water.

Get chiropractic adjustments and advice to correct your posture.

Avoid over the counter medication especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Consult a homeopath or an acupuncturist for treatments to relieve your pain.

Pregnancy headaches are sometimes relieved with either hot or cold compress around your forehead and on the back of your neck.

Have someone massage your shoulders and neck during acute pregnancy headaches.

Rest in a dark room and practice deep relaxation breathing.

Relaxing in a warm bath or shower sometimes reduces the stress and tension.

The fruit mangosteen is well known to support every system in the body. It is all natural and can relieve and prevent pregnancy headaches.

At this point it would be appropriate to call your doctor or midwife for advice.

Have your eyesight checked as you may need glasses or a change in glasses.

 If you experience any of these symptoms below with a headache call your physician or midwife immediately as these are signs of a severe pregnancy complication called pre-eclampsia:

Blurred vision

Right sided abdomen pain

Swollen hands and face

Sudden weight gain

Feeling very agitated or restless

 Pregnancy headaches can be very painful and very frustrating, as it is not recommended that you use over the counter medication during pregnancy. I have assisted pregnant women in the past to make their headaches a little more manageable or made them go away with a one on one coaching-healing phone sessions.

Many of my pregnant clients have experienced improvement of their pregnancy headaches by taking mangosteen juice. Mangosteen is present in different quantities in different products. For a high quality mangosteen and information on my one on one coaching-healing session visit http://www.VemmaMidwife.com

You may also be very interested in an amazing message that was telepathically dictated to me for humanity from my son when he was seven-weeks old. Yes you read correctly! I have the ability to communicate with baby’s emotions from inside and outside the womb. Down load this AMAZING MESSAGE FREE at http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com/Message_For_Humanity.html

If you wish to ask me a personal question about your pregnancy or an issue in your life then visit http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com/Ask_Hannah_Section.html

Hannah Bajor. C.N.M.,M.S.N.

Certified Nurse Midwife

Pregnancy Success Coach

Most people would agree that the migraine if the worst kind of headache there is.. Not only are they exceedingly painful, but they also come with a feeling of sickness and disorientation.. I usually lie down in a darkened room with a wet face cloth over my eyes until the symptoms abate. I have known migraines to even last more than a day at a time.

The migraine headache has been very difficult to cure as migraine symptoms vary so much between different people. To further compound the problem, many sufferers often experience different symptoms each time.I suspect that my own migraines, which mostly happened in Summer were due to rising pollen counts, but I’m still not 100% sure.

I am grateful that my migraine headaches dont seem to happen all year round, but when they do , boy do I suffer.

Many people’s migraine headache symptoms are made much worse by the phenomenon known as the aura.Auras are thought to be a neurological condition that are manifested by flashing lights, blurred vision and in rare cases hallucinations.

I dont usually experience auras with my migraine, but when I do its always above the left eye. Irrespective of my migraine headache symptoms however, is a general feeling of un-wellness meaning that I just cannot function normally.

Its not uncommon for me to feel drained and exhausted for a few days after a serious migraine attack..I can completely sympathise with other migraine sufferers when they complain about their ailment.Although my migraine headache symptoms have been getting progressively less severe of the past few years I still live for the day when I dont waken up with that slow thudding pain behind my eyes that heralds the onset of another miserable day.