Headache
Headaches are a very common form of pain. A headache can be located anywhere in the head, neck, or shoulder area. People who suffer from frequent headaches are often concerned that they may be a sign of a serious health problem. Luckily, most headaches are due to simple issues that are easily treated. The first step in overcoming headache pain is to determine exactly what is causing your pain.
Headaches are typically categorized as either tension headaches or migraines. Other classes of headache pain exist as well, but these are less common and usually due to trauma or injury.
Tension headaches are experienced as a tightening around the top of the head or the near the bottom of the skull. While their cause is yet to be determined, some doctors believe they are caused by contraction of the muscles in the neck, scalp, and face. Recent studies indicate that these types of headaches may also be caused by a chemical disruption within the brain.
The most severe form of headache is a migraine. Migraines are usually caused by dilated blood vessels in the head. These often present themselves along with other unpleasant symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines are thought to be the result of hormonal changes, however stress, sleep problems, and certain foods have been known to trigger them as well. Most migraine sufferers find relief through prescription drugs.
Other kinds of headaches include cervogenic head pain and traction or inflammatory headaches. Cervogenic pain is usually caused by injury or trauma to the cervical vertebrae. This type of pain can be expected to subside as soon as the injury is healed. Inflammatory headaches are dangerous. They are almost always the result of a serious health issue such as a disorder of the neck, spine, ears, or teeth.
Headaches do not all fall into one of these categories. Some headaches are caused by low blood sugar, while others are caused by eye strain due to prolonged exposure to a computer screen or video game. Dehydration can also cause headache pain. Even repetitive motions like chewing gum for a long period of time can cause head tension and pain. If you find your head aching, you need to think about possible causes. Make sure you have had enough to eat and drink, take a break from work to move around and get some fresh air. You may just need to relax a bit and get some rest. If these things don’t help, over-the-counter pain medications can be helpful.