Disease

Migraine headaches can be debilitating issue that interferes severely with daily functioning and quality of life.  Preventing and treating migraine headaches, however, can be done effectively with a wide range of both over the counter and prescription drugs.  The exact causes of migraine headaches are still something of a mystery in the medical community, but it is widely held that serotonin levels in the brain play a significant role in the formation of migraine headaches.  Low serotonin levels are usually accompanied by a migraine headache. 

A migraine headache can sometimes be preceded by what is known as an “aura.”  An aura occurs with what are called classic migraine headaches.  In a classic migraine attack, the sufferer may experience changes in vision, such as strange colors or spots that develop.  Tenderness in the scalp is another sign of an oncoming migraine headache.  Alterations in mood can also occur, such as depression or irritability.  These subtle symptoms can begin developing as much as a full day before the onset of a migraine attack.  The following migraine headaches are typically fairly intense, but do not last very long. 

Although medical science cannot pinpoint the exact cause of headaches in a patient, some of the most common causes can typically be blamed in the majority of cases.  Headaches are broken down in the medical community into a few categories that assist in diagnosis.  A primary headache is something almost all people are familiar with.  Primary headaches are what the majority of headaches can be diagnosed as, and are almost never life threatening.  Despite this frequency of occurence and a lack of life threatening danger, a primary headache can be very painful.  Cluster headaches are a far more serious form of headache, that although not life threatening, can bring about serious pain.  Secondary headaches are caused by a structural or chemical problem in the brain.

It is believed that over 90% of primary headaches, which most people experience, can be blamed on tension.  The muscles that surround the skull sometimes contract, putting too much pressure on the head.  This can be a significant source of pain.  Although the reasons for skull muscle contraction are difficult to ascertain, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress.  Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache.  Prolonged physical stress, such as hard manual labor that is engaged in for several hours, can also result in headaches caused by tension.

Headaches have occured to the vast majority of people at one point or another in their lives.  These headaches can range from mild irritations to a debilitating pain crisis that demands immediate treatment.  Headaches are widely researched and treated in the medical community, but the exact causes remain a mystery.  The medical community has broken headaches into a few easily classified categories.  Primary headaches are what the majority of people experience, while cluster and secondary headaches are far rarer.  Most headaches have no life threatening significance, although secondary headaches can be a sign of a more serious neurological disorder. 

Most headaches fall into the category of primary headaches, and are typically treatable with simple over the counter medications.  Ibuprofen and Aleve are usually effective treatments for problems involving primary headaches.  More serious headaches, such as those seen in clusters, may require prescription pain killers in order to prevent serious daily impairment.  Other effective treatments for headaches include therapeutic measures such as biofeedback, massage, and psychotherapy.  These are good ways to prevent headaches before they even have a chance to begin.  The majority of headaches begin with stress related causes, such as emotional or physical strains. 

There are several types of headaches, and the medical community has established a definite set of categories for each.  The vast majority of headaches that patients suffer can be easily fit into the first category, or primary headache.  Primary headaches occur to almost everyone, and are not a serious or life threatening issue.  That said, primary headaches can be quite painful on some occasions, or can become a chronic problem.  Although this isn’t life threatening, it can be a serious impediment to quality of life.  Fixing these kinds of primary headaches can be very important to the daily life and functioning of a patient.  Correcting issues regarding primary headaches can usually be done with the use of over the counter medications.

Cluster headaches are a far more serious kind of headache that can seriously debilitate a patient if not treated.  Although not life threatening in itself, the pain associated with a cluster headache can drive patients to take unreasonable measures.  Cluster headaches are so called because they occur in chronological groupings, and can be very hard to predict.  This results in treatment that is difficult to apply, resulting in attacks that usually cannot be avoided.  A cluster headache can disable an individual, so great is the pain.  Pain usually centers behind one or both eyes, and presents with visible symptoms like runny and watery eyes and nose.  Patients can become overwhelmed with the pain associated with cluster headaches.  Treatment of this pain should be the immediate and overriding concern.  Over the counter medications are typically inadequate in these situations.