BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES, INC.

Learning About Headaches

What is a headache

Types of headaches

Description and Causes

Prevention

Remedies

Coping

Objectives

Soreness, pulling sensation, pressure or vice-like feeling.

Located in your temple area or base of your skull or other

around the perimeter of your head into your neck.

Episodic headaches – occur now and then and respond to OTC

medication, reduced stress and rest.

Chronic headaches – occur often, sometimes everyday and are

not relieved by OTC medication within a few hours.

In some cases a headache may be a symptom of a more serious

health problem.

What is a headache?

Chronic Tension

Migraine

Cluster

Hormone

Other: Sinus, Rebound, Organic

Types of Headaches

Physical influence

Stress

Anxiety

Lack of sleep

Mental or emotional causes

Depression

Tension

Severe

Can last several days

Aura – change in vision or blurring of vision that precedes the

onset of a migraine.

Hemiplegic – some experience “pins and needles” or

temporary partial paralysis.

Caused by stress, certain foods such as caffeine or alcohol,

extreme sleep habits,

Anything that effects blood vessels in the brain including

some medications, change in air pressure or altitude can

cause a migraine.

Migraines

Cluster

Usually a stabbing piercing or throbbing pain.

Often begins near the eye and radiates to other

parts of the head.

Much less common than other types of headaches.

Headaches occur in groups or “clusters” several

times a day over a period of time.

May reappear or disappear for months even years.

Mostly effects 20-45 year olds.

Hormone

Headaches related to a change in hormones in

both men an women

Women suffer headaches when hormones

increase due to:

Pre-menstruation

Pregnancy

Menopause

Hormone Replacement therapy

Other Types

Sinus

Rebound

Organic

Prevention

Have a regular sleep routine

Exercise regularly

Have a good diet

Reduce stress and stressful situations

Avoid triggers

Drug therapy

Biofeedback

Coping

Breathing exercises

Yoga or meditation

Soothing music and low lighting

Plan your day to reduce stress

Enlist the help of friends and family

Give yourself a break – take a day off

Keep hydrated

Warm shower or bath

Cool compress for you head

Visiting Your Doctor

Dates and times you experienced headaches

Duration – how long they lasted

The intensity of the pain (on a scale of 1-10)

Where you felt the pain

What activities you were engaged in at the time

What you had to eat or drink near that time

If you tried any remedies, what helped,

what did not

Resources

www.headaches.orgwww.achenet.orgwww.ninds.nih.govwww.thedailyheadache.com

BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES, INC.

Learning About Headaches