In addition to self-reporting, subjects who had headaches were physically examined for pericranial tenderness by a nurse who was specially trained to examine for sensitivity at eight different locations in the cranium, and they also included sensitivity at the index finger. Sensitivity was measured using a device known as a palpometer, which measures the exact pressure exerted over a one-square centimeter of surface area. The client then reported whether the allotted pressure was uncomfortable or perceived as simply pressure.
Results of sensitivity were then calculated to create a Total Tenderness Score so that results could be tabulated and compared to non-headache subjects. The results? Not surprisingly, people with headaches had neck pain more often than people who do not experience headaches. In fact, the authors estimated that people with headaches were about four times more likely to have neck pain. While the frequency varied, people with both neck pain and headaches also rated their health status as poorer than people without neck pain.
The presence of neck pain was also correlated with an increase in the frequency of headaches; and this was especially true for TTH. Those subjects who were measured for sensitivity using the Palpometer yielded interesting results. Those who had headaches exhibited greater sensitivity in the temporalis one of the cranial sites measured and the index finger than people who did not have headaches.
Why would the index finger be more sensitive? One possible explanation is peripheral sensitization, where increased excitation happens via second-order neurons. Also intriguing is something the authors alluded to early in the paper, a statement that perhaps neck pain and headaches occur because of the convergence of afferents from the upper cervical vertebra and the trigeminal nerve. In essence, the neck can sensitize the cranium, but the cranium can also sensitize the neck.
Another rabbit hole. Experts advise not taking certain pain-relief medicines for headaches more than 3 times a week. Cluster headaches may strike one side of the head, often near one eye, with a sharp or burning pain. These headaches are more common in men and in smokers. In rare cases, a headache may warn of a serious illness. Get medical help right away if you have a headache after a blow to your head, or if you have a headache along with fever, confusion, loss of consciousness, or pain in the eye or ear.
But if the pain is severe or lasting, get medical care. Editor: Harrison Wein, Ph. Managing Editor: Tianna Hicklin, Ph. Illustrator: Alan Defibaugh. Attention Editors: Reprint our articles and illustrations in your own publication.
Our material is not copyrighted. These views differed greatly from the vascular theory. William Gowers — known as one of the founders of modern neurology and an eminent physician in the late s — subscribed to the neurogenic theory of headache propounded by Liveing. In his passage on the treatment of migraine, Gowers emphasised the importance of a healthy diet.
Gowers advocated marijuana to relieve the acute attack of headache. One of the first to divide the treatment of headache into prophylactic and episodic, Gowers advocated continuous treatment with drugs to render attacks less frequent, and treatment of the attacks themselves.
Much headache and migraine research is still based on the actions of receptors in the brain, using the work on immunology and receptors for which Paul Ehlich won his Nobel Prize in In the late s, Harold Wolffe was the first person to study headache in the laboratory, performing many laboratory experiments which supported the vascular theory of headache. Research into migraine and other headaches began at The Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals in Sydney in the s and rapidly achieved international recognition.
A leading member of the Sydney team, Peter Goadsby now Professor of Clinical Neurology at University College and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London had undertaken research into the way that the brain controlled blood flow to the scalp and to the brain itself.
And although it seems paradoxical, many medications used to treat headaches can also cause medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches. Migraine sufferers are particularly vulnerable to a vicious cycle of pain leading to more medication, which triggers more pain.
If you have frequent headaches and use medication, OTC or prescription, or both, for more than 10 to 15 days a month, you may have medication overuse headaches. The way to find out is to discontinue or taper your medication — but always consult your doctor first.
A corticosteroid such as prednisone may help control pain during the withdrawal period. Sinus headaches. Acute sinusitis causes pain over the forehead, around the nose and eyes, over the cheeks, or in the upper teeth. Stooping forward increases the pain. Thick nasal discharge, congestion, and fever pinpoint the problem to the sinuses. When the acute infection resolves, the pain disappears. Sinusitis is not a common cause of chronic or recurrent headaches. Ice cream headaches.
Some people develop sharp, sudden headache pain when they eat anything cold. The pain is over in less than a minute, even if you keep eating. If you are bothered by ice cream headaches, try eating slowly and warming the cold food at the front of your mouth before you swallow it. Headache from high blood pressure. Except in cases of very high blood pressure, hypertension does not cause headaches.
In fact, most people with high blood pressure don't have any symptoms at all, and a study of 51, people reported that hypertension was associated with a reduced incidence of headaches. But that's no reason to neglect your blood pressure. Hypertension leads to strokes, heart attacks , heart failure , and kidney disease, so all men should have their pressure checked, and then take steps to correct abnormalities.
Headache from exercise and sex. Sudden, strenuous exercise can bring on a headache. Gradual warm-ups or treatment with an anti-inflammatory medication before exercise can help. Sexual intercourse may also trigger headaches; some men note only dull pain, but others suffer from severe attacks called orgasmic headaches. Modern medicine depends on tests to diagnose many problems. For most headaches, though, a good old-fashioned history and physical will do the job.
Still, these tests can be vital in patients with warning signs or other worrisome headaches. For most of us, an occasional headache is nothing more than a temporary speed bump in the course of a busy day.
Even so, most men can ease the problem with simple lifestyle measures and nonprescription medications. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga, and acupuncture may also help. But for some of us, headaches are a big problem.
Learn to recognize warning signs that call for prompt medical care. Work with your doctor to develop a program to prevent and treat migraines and other serious headaches. And don't fall into the trap of overusing medications; for some gents, rebound headaches are the biggest pain of all. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
0コメント