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26 April 2024

Experiencing Regular Headaches? It's Time to Investigate: Unraveling the Different Dimensions of Headache

Headaches are a common affliction in the lives of office-goers, often stemming from everyday activities such as stress and inadequate relaxation. If headaches occur frequently and become a daily occurrence, it is crucial not to dismiss them lightly, as they could signal more severe underlying conditions. To enhance everyone's understanding of headache symptoms accurately, let's delve into the causes, types, affected areas, and non-pharmacological treatment methods.

 

Understanding Headache Symptoms

Headaches manifest as pain or discomfort in the head, resulting from muscle tension in the head and neck area. They can range from mild to severe and may include accompanying symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and fatigue. Headaches can occur in various locations, including the face, temples, forehead, or all around the head, with different causes for each.

Types of Headaches

Headaches are broadly categorized into two main types:

Primary Headaches:

·       Tension-Type Headaches: Commonly associated with stress, muscle tension headaches often originate from the neck and may be accompanied by symptoms such as facial pain and pressure.

·       Migraine Headaches: Caused by the constriction and relaxation of blood vessels around the brain, migraines are characterized by pulsating pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and in some cases, nausea and vomiting.

·       Cluster Headaches: Intense, recurring headaches associated with abnormalities in the nervous system, causing severe pain around one eye, temple, or forehead.

 

Secondary Headaches:

·       Sinus Headaches: Resulting from inflamed sinus cavities due to viral or bacterial infections, sinus headaches cause pain in the face, forehead, and nasal congestion.

·       Dehydration Headaches: Caused by insufficient water intake, dehydration leads to increased blood density and slowed circulation, resulting in elevated head pressure and associated symptoms.

·       Medication-Overuse Headaches: Stemming from excessive use of pain relief medications, these headaches worsen over time and can lead to a cycle of increased medication use and rebound headaches.

Headaches can occur in anyone, regardless of age, including children, teenagers, and adults. Approximately 96% of people experience headaches at least once in their lives. About 40% of individuals worldwide experience stress-related headaches, and around 10% suffer from migraines. The general causes of headaches include:

·       Illness: Infections and fever, including conditions such as throat or ear infections. Headaches can also result from injuries, such as a severe blow to the head.

·       Stress: Stress, depression, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and insufficient rest can contribute to headaches.

·       Environmental Factors: Exposure to secondhand smoke, chemical odors, allergens, certain foods, pollutants, changes in weather, and other possible triggers, including ergonomic issues like inappropriate work desks and chairs.

·       Genetics: Migraines often run in families, with a higher likelihood of occurring in children and teenagers if someone in the family experiences migraines.

 

When to Consult a Doctor for Headaches

·       Severe, sudden-onset headaches with symptoms like blurred vision, nausea, or immediate pain, which may indicate a risk of bleeding under the brain covering associated with high blood pressure.

·       Intense headaches accompanied by weakness in limbs, suggesting potential bleeding in the brain tissues.

·       Headaches with extreme pain, fever, and an inability to move the neck, possibly indicating an infection in the brain covering.

·       Severe headaches accompanied by seizures, stiffness, and a sudden slump, indicating a risk of brain inflammation.

 

Diagnosing Headaches

Frequent and persistent headaches warrant a medical consultation for proper diagnosis and treatment. Physicians may conduct interviews, physical examinations, lumbar punctures, brain CT scans, and other tests to determine the root cause of the headaches.

 

Treatment Approaches for Headaches

Addressing the root cause is crucial for effective headache management. Proper stress management can alleviate stress-induced headaches. Moreover, a variety of non-pharmacological methods, such as avoiding headache triggers, making lifestyle adjustments, and employing relaxation techniques, can be as important as medication in managing headaches. For customers interested in health care with Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance, additional health advisories can be found at https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-advisories

 

The article was reviewed by

Dr. Siwatt Luanraksa,

Plastic Surgeon,

SLC Hospital

 

References:

·       MayoClinic

https://mayocl.in/45QSmxs

·       WebMD

https://wb.md/3OZeyyi

·       Clevelandclinic

https://cle.clinic/3OURfFR

https://cle.clinic/3Ri0ItZ

·       Vibhavadi Hospital

https://bit.ly/45rT9oL

·       Pobpad

https://bit.ly/3L0D29k

·       Nonthavej Hospital

https://bit.ly/3PdJkVz

·       Thainakarin Hospital

https://bit.ly/3PiNZpq

·       Paolo Hospital

https://bit.ly/3ElpYYt

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