Headache: Prevention is Better than Cure

“Every head has its own headache"
No other statement could have explained it better than this Arab proverb. Virtually everyone gets a headache at one time or another, some mild and some like an electric shock or razorblade going through the head.

Headaches are common, about 90 percent being tension headaches and 6 percent migraines. Then there is the sinus headache and the cluster headache, the latter being severe and recurring, considered the most painful type of headache.

Recurring headaches can change your life. It leaves you unable to work, unable to care for your kids, stuck in bed, literally holding your head for much of the day. While some have the benefit of having a diagnosis, of knowing what is causing their pain, there are thousands of other people living with chronic headache of unknown origin.

Common causes of headache include:

• Stress, tension, and anxiety.High blood pressure (hypertension).



• Allergies, including food allergies.



• Constipation and bowel problems.



• Coffee consumption.



• Eyestrain.



• Hunger and/or hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).



• Anaemia.



• Sinus pressure, sinusitis.



• Diseases of the eye, nose, and throat.



• Muscle tension.



• Hormonal imbalances, including hormonal fluctuations found in premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, pregnancy and postpartum (after the baby is born), and hormone or estrogens replacement therapy (HRT/ERT) and the use of birth control pills, patches, or injections.



• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.



• Bruxism (tooth grinding).



• Spinal misalignment (subluxation).



• Trauma to the head.



• Brain disorders, such as tumours.



• Nutritional deficiencies.



• Alcohol use (hangover).



• Drug use and drug side effects.



• Toxic overdoses of vitamin A, vitamin B deficiency.



• Tobacco use (smoking).



• Exposure to irritants, such as pollution or chemical fume exposure, perfume, or after-shave.



• Dehydration can also cause headaches, often accompanied by a feeling of being flushed, a warm face, and a sense of heaviness in the head.



• Migraines result from a disturbance in the blood circulation in the head.

The appropriate treatment depends on the type of headache. Armed with a diagnosis and with the best poisons the medical world has cooked up to try to treat headaches, this pain still knocks us over. Popping Aspirins, Excedrin or Tylenol and pain management isn't the right answer. Avoiding headaches is!

Measures to avoid headaches:

• Avoid eyestrain by working in a well-lit environment and wearing glasses or contact lenses.



• Sleep the number of hours you need to feel rested and alert. This is vital for avoiding a headache.



• Stretch frequently if your job is sedentary.



• Get your teeth checked regularly. Periodic headaches may be linked to a dental problem.



• Watch what you eat. Chocolate, wine and aged cheeses can trigger headaches.



• Avoid very cold food and beverages.



• Manage your stress. Learn stress management techniques.



• Get into an exercise programme, or try yoga or meditation.



• Ventilate your home and workplace, ensuring it's airy and well lit.



• For headaches caused by food allergies, avoid the foods that cause your allergy symptoms.



• Avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use. If you have headaches as a result of a side effect of a drug, consult with your health care provider.



• Avoid chemicals and other irritants that may trigger headaches.



• To prevent headaches, eat small meals and eat between meals to help stabilize wide swings in blood sugar. Eat a well balanced, nutritious diet daily.



• Drink plenty of quality water daily.



• Avoid using birth control that involves hormones, such as birth control pills, patches, or injections.

Prevention is better than cure. Always seek and snub the cause of your headache, not the symptom. Basic human nature is to "play the odds", to "wait and see", and to "fix it if it breaks". There really are medical conditions in which the whole prevention angle seems to be misconstrued. However, in the case of chronic headaches the time-tested measure of prevention is better than cure, holds true!

* Note: Image by the courtsey of http://www.nlm.nih.gov.