Your Aching Head
Headaches come in several kinds and have many causes. But knowing your own patterns can help you minimize hazardous “triggers” and spend more time pain-free.
Do you ever wonder wake up in the morning with a mysterious headache—and wonder why? Even after a restful eight hours of sleep, the annoying pain thwarts the start of the day. But you look out the window, and now it makes sense: It’s cloudy and rainy; the weather must be to blame.
Weather and fluctuating barometric pressure are indeed associated with some headaches. Other headache “triggers” include stress and anxiety, certain foods and beverages, sleep deprivation and dehydration—and genetics and hormones can contribute to making them more likely. Headache is one of the most common medical complaints, but it can be complicated to manage. In some instances, a headache may indicate something more serious that needs attention.
Most headaches happen when muscles or blood vessels in a person’s head and neck tighten, swell or go through other changes that stimulate the surrounding nerves or put pressure on them. The more sensitive the nerves are, the worse the pain will feel. The jolt of a roller coaster at Great Adventure can constrict blood vessels, as can changes in atmospheric pressure—the reason why we often blame “weather” for the pain.
But many also will get headaches this time of year when dreaded spring allergies cause inflammation of the sinus lining.
For that reason, it’s important that we understand the different types of headaches, causes and treatment to help manage them effectively.
• What’s ailing you? Headaches divide into two main categories: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are categorized as those that are not caused by another medical condition. Tension headaches are among the most common, our expert says, and they often cause a dull, aching sensation around the head along with tightness in the neck or scalp. A cluster headache is an intense pain that occurs in groups (sometimes multiple headaches a day over some time). These are often accompanied by watery eyes or nasal congestion. Migraines are severe and sometimes debilitating, feature throbbing pain and can include neurological symptoms such as sensitivity to light, visual disturbances, noises and more.
Secondary headaches, on the other hand, are caused by another medical issue such as respiratory infections like the flu, sinus congestion, meningitis, arthritis in the neck or even dental problems such as impacted molars or jaw clenching.
Sinus headaches are frequent this time of year because increased pollen levels can trigger allergies and sinus inflammation. These are sometimes confused with migraines, but they differ due to their cause—sinus inflammation.
Secondary headaches also can be developed from more serious causes: insomnia, sleep apnea and brain conditions such as tumors and aneurysms, for instance.
• Diagnosis and Treatment. More often than not, the first-thing-in-the-morning headache or the mild pain after a long day of work is a tension headache that can be treated with over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, rest and hydration. Tension headaches often result from poor posture and muscle tension in the upper body. Spending long hours at a desk or looking down at a smartphone can strain neck and shoulder muscles, triggering headaches. Incorporating daily stretching routines can alleviate this tension. These days, mindfulness practices are encouraged as another “medicine.” Meditation and controlled breathing exercises are excellent for reducing headache symptoms. These techniques help manage stress, a leading cause of tension headaches, since they relax tight muscles and improve blood circulation. Acupressure also can relieve pain and improve circulation. For tension headache relief, apply gentle pressure to the base of the skull, the temples or the webbing between your thumb and index finger.
Hot and cold therapy also offers immediate relief for headache pain caused by muscle tension. he adds. Applying a heating pad to the neck or shoulders helps relax tight muscles, while a cold compress on the forehead can numb pain and reduce inflammation.
For more severe cases, like migraines, pain can be treated with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and blood pressure medicine. In recent years, CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) inhibitors, a new class of drugs, have shown promise in specifically targeting the pathways believed to be critical in triggering migraines. Sufferers also can find relief through herbal supplements, biofeedback and acupuncture.
If headaches are frequent, severe or persist for multiple days despite trying multiple remedies, it could indicate an underlying condition such as sleep apnea or a need for specific headache medication. Additionally, cluster headaches, which are more intense and localized, may require specialized treatment. Don’t try to be a hero—don’t try to tough it out if intense pain goes on for too long.
• Preventive measures. Avoiding headaches altogether is unlikely—everyone gets them— but you can reduce the likelihood of developing one. Because dehydration is a common cause of chronic headaches, drinking enough water throughout the day helps prevent headaches and supports overall health. Aim to consume at least eight glasses of water daily and adjust for your activity level or climate. Magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach, almonds, and avocados, specifically have been known to reduce the frequency of tension headaches.
Also consider keeping a headache diary to track triggers and patterns. Persistent headaches that you can’t relieve with conventional remedies should be evaluated. If steps like rest, hydration and taking over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen don’t help after a week, or your headaches keep getting worse, don’t hesitate to discuss the problem with your doctor, who can order imaging tests such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging study) or CT (computed tomography) to rule out structural problems or tumors.
