Dealing with headaches

Headache is a common ailment among all age groups. The type and location of the pain can determine its cause. With appropriate treatment and preventive measures, it is possible to prevent further attacks and induce remission.

Tension headache  
Related with chronic stress and anxiety which feel like a tight band is squeezing the whole head. It is usually described as a daily headache, with low to moderate intensity.

Treatment - Simple analgesia, such as Paracetamol, helps.
Tip - Relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, have shown to be effective to prevent this type of headaches. Avoid smoking, alcohol and too much tea/coffee.

Migraine headache
It is caused by constriction of brain blood vessels. A throbbing kind of moderate to severe pain on one side of the head, along with pain behind the eyes with blurry vision, is common manifestation. Nausea and vomiting can also be present.

Treatment - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, along with anti- nausea drugs are helpful. A person who has more than two attacks per month can be placed on prophylactic therapy if it interferes with quality of life.
Tip - Take medication before an attack, not after full blown migraine has set in. Place yourself in a dark quiet room, without any external stimulus. Put a cold cloth on the forehead. Massage your scalp or temples. Avoid strenuous physical activity, caffeine and chocolates as these may trigger an attack.

Women with migraine history should not take contraceptive pills. Also, attacks are more frequent around menstruation, so try to avoid triggers during that time.

Sinus headache  
Dull, deep throbbing pain between the eyes, behind the forehead or cheek bones. These areas may also feel tender and warm. Purulent nasal discharge along with fever may be present.

Treatment - Antibiotic with decongestants. Repetitive and resistant cases may need surgery.
Tip - To prevent sinus clogging, which leads to sinusitis, following measures can be taken: Use large syringes filled with warm sterile salt water to irrigate inside your nasal cavity. Take hot showers and use humidifiers and drink plenty of water, which will help to keep nasal mucus moist.
Massage over the affected sinus. Take steam inhalation.
Keep head elevated using extra pillows while sleeping. Eat spicy food. Avoid smoking, dust and other allergens.

Cluster headache
Severe headache comes as clusters which stays for 15 minutes to two hours, once or twice a day and may persist up to three months. Pain is on one side of the head and around the eyes.  Associated with tearing up, reddening and swelling of the same eye with runny nose. Young men are affected more.

Treatment - Oxygen masks and triptan drugs.

Tip- Strictly maintain a regular sleep cycle. Avoid hot showers and triggers which bring on a headache.
Quit smoking.

Rebound headache
People who are dependent on any kind of pain medication, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin, can contrarily suffer from this type of headache.

Treatment - Discontinuation of the drug involved, although withdrawal headache may be troublesome. But that also goes away after couple of weeks of breaking the cycle.
Tip- Avoid overusing any pain medication.

Dealing with headaches

Headache is a common ailment among all age groups. The type and location of the pain can determine its cause. With appropriate treatment and preventive measures, it is possible to prevent further attacks and induce remission. Tension headache Related with chronic stress and anxiety which feel like a tight band is squeezing the whole head. It is usually described as a daily headache, with low to moderate intensity. Treatment - Simple analgesia, such as Paracetamol, helps. Tip - Relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, have shown to be effective to prevent this type of headaches. Avoid smoking, alcohol and too much tea/coffee. Migraine headache It is caused by constriction of brain blood vessels. A throbbing kind of moderate to severe pain on one side of the head, along with pain behind the eyes with blurry vision, is common manifestation. Nausea and vomiting can also be present. Treatment - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, along with anti- nausea drugs are helpful. A person who has more than two attacks per month can be placed on prophylactic therapy if it interferes with quality of life. Tip - Take medication before an attack, not after full blown migraine has set in. Place yourself in a dark quiet room, without any external stimulus. Put a cold cloth on the forehead. Massage your scalp or temples. Avoid strenuous physical activity, caffeine and chocolates as these may trigger an attack. Women with migraine history should not take contraceptive pills. Also, attacks are more frequent around menstruation, so try to avoid triggers during that time. Sinus headache Dull, deep throbbing pain between the eyes, behind the forehead or cheek bones. These areas may also feel tender and warm. Purulent nasal discharge along with fever may be present. Treatment - Antibiotic with decongestants. Repetitive and resistant cases may need surgery. Tip - To prevent sinus clogging, which leads to sinusitis, following measures can be taken: Use large syringes filled with warm sterile salt water to irrigate inside your nasal cavity. Take hot showers and use humidifiers and drink plenty of water, which will help to keep nasal mucus moist. Massage over the affected sinus. Take steam inhalation. Keep head elevated using extra pillows while sleeping. Eat spicy food. Avoid smoking, dust and other allergens. Cluster headache Severe headache comes as clusters which stays for 15 minutes to two hours, once or twice a day and may persist up to three months. Pain is on one side of the head and around the eyes. Associated with tearing up, reddening and swelling of the same eye with runny nose. Young men are affected more. Treatment - Oxygen masks and triptan drugs. Tip- Strictly maintain a regular sleep cycle. Avoid hot showers and triggers which bring on a headache. Quit smoking. Rebound headache People who are dependent on any kind of pain medication, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin, can contrarily suffer from this type of headache. Treatment - Discontinuation of the drug involved, although withdrawal headache may be troublesome. But that also goes away after couple of weeks of breaking the cycle. Tip- Avoid overusing any pain medication.