Headache Awareness Month is almost over. For our final post of the month, let’s take a look at what headaches actually are and how they occur. Headaches result from signals between the brain, blood vessels, and nerves. Some headache sufferers believe their pain comes from the brain, but it actually comes from the nerves in the skull, blood vessels, and head muscles. The reasons for these nerves to cause pain are not understood, but when they do we experience headaches.

People see doctors for headache treatment more than any other source of pain. Around 45 million Americans suffer from them. Most sufferers experience tension headaches or migraines. Luckily, doctors can successfully treat 85% of headaches.

There are common causes of head pain, including stress, pollution, noise, poor lighting, changes in the weather, and odors. What you eat may also cause headaches, especially alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and foods with nitrates and MSG.

If you have a headache that needs treatment, contact your doctor. They can help you find the cause of your pain, takes steps to prevent future headaches, and make sure your pain is not a sign of something serious.

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Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN

June is headache awareness month, so here are helpful facts about some of the different types of headaches.

1. Cluster headaches. These headaches happen repeatedly over a period of time, called the “cluster period.” Typically, people who experience this type will have pain at the same time each year, such as in spring or fall. The cluster period usually lasts between two weeks and three months. They often occur at night. They can be more painful than migraines, but typically are shorter than migraines.
2. Ocular migraines. These are very rare headaches. It is estimated that these headaches affect one in every 200 people who experience migraines. Ocular migraines can cause loss of vision for short periods of time. A doctor can diagnose these, and they are very often caused by other conditions.
3. Sinus headaches. Your sinuses are spaces in your forehead. They drain through the nose. Due to allergies, tumors, or infections, the sinuses can become inflamed and swell, which causes more mucus to build and the nasal passages to be blocked. Sometimes, this can cause pain that feels like a headache. Treatment for these headaches depends on the cause. See your doctor with questions.
4. Tension headaches. This is the most common type of headache. A tension headache causes pain in a band-like pattern across the forehead. They can last from 30 minutes to a few days. Typically, the more often they occur, the worse they are. Sleep deprivation, anxiety, hunger, emotional/mental stress, and depression are all common causes of tension headaches.

As always, see your doctor if you have questions about headaches. If you have a headache that worries you or that you think need treatment, see your doctor immediately.

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Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN

The best way to treat chronic headaches and migraines is to know about why they happen and what to do when your head hurts. In honor of June, which is Headache Awareness Month, here are some tips on managing headaches.

See a doctor or emergency department immediately if…

1. You have the worst headache or migraine you can remember.
2. You also have loss of vision, loss of consciousness, vomiting, or other symptoms with a headache.
3. Your headache lasts more than 72 hours without at least a four-hour period of relief while you are awake. Time when you are asleep does not count toward the four hours.
4. Your headache or migraine leads to unusual symptoms that you have never felt before or that worry you.

Schedule a doctor’s appointment about your headache if you have any concerns. Do not be afraid to get a physician’s opinion, even if you don’t want to go to the trouble of visiting the doctor only to learn that nothing is wrong. When you talk to your doctor about your headache, be open and let them know what you are worried about. Do not be afraid to seek help.

Some tools for headache management:

1. Keep headache diaries to log when you have a headache and for how long each lasts. Bring this to your doctor, as it is great information that they can use to help you.
2. Avoid dietary triggers. Keep a log of food you eat before a headache or migraine attack and bring this log with you to the doctor. They can help determine if you need to remove certain foods from your diet to prevent head pain.
3. Ask your physician about other methods of managing headaches. Your doctor is there to help you, and can provide further information about reducing headaches and migraines.

 

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Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN