How to treat a headache

How to treat a headache

Headaches

Headache is defined as the pain that occurs in any area of ​​the head, where it may occur on one side of the head or on both sides, may be limited and limited in a particular area or may spread to the head from a particular area, and may occur In the form of severe pain, or in the form of throbbing pain, or in the form of dull pain and continuous pain (Dull pain), may increase and accelerate gradually or slowly, in addition to the occurrence may continue from a period of a simple hour or less To several days.

Home Remedy for Headaches

In most cases, the headache responds to home treatment and does not require a visit to the doctor. It should be started as soon as possible as it often reduces pain and duration. Home remedies may help to remove other symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting and anxiety. , And muscle aches, but it is important to monitor the symptoms to see the doctor in cases where the increased feeling of pain or the emergence of other symptoms and increase the severity or recurrence of symptoms, so there are some home practices that help in some cases of headaches, which do not accompanied by other symptoms, including the following:

  • Sit in a quiet and dark place, and try to relax.
  • Use and place cold compresses on the forehead area.
  • Stop smoking, drink alcohol, and use substance abuse.

Headache treatment by type

There are many types of headaches, including what comes in addition to how to treat them:

Allergic headache

(Allergy Headache), the symptoms of which appear as a total headache, nasal congestion and eye dizziness. Seasonal allergens induce allergies such as pollen and mold. Food allergies do not increase it, and are treated with anti-histamine Antihistamines, or cortisone sprays, as well as desensitization injections.

Tension headaches

(Tension-Type Headache). Symptoms occur in the form of mild pain, usually on the sides of the head, accompanied by a feeling of distress in the scalp or neck, and the severity of the condition remains constant. It is treated with rest and ice packs, Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. Caffeine may be used with these analgesics, as well as muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and in some cases, psychotherapy may be used: Psychotherapy).

Migraines

Migraine, which is a palpitations of the head, usually occurs on one side of the head, usually accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, etc. The migraines may last for hours or days, and their severity may cause Disabling the person’s affairs, the sister can be treated to relieve the pain of symptoms and prevent future seizures.

The drugs can be classified as pain relievers, medicines and preventive treatments. Pain relievers include:

  • Analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used in moderate migraine cases. Drugs containing a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine may also be used to relieve moderate migraine pain, but are ineffective in severe cases. It can cause an ulcer and bleed in the digestive system, and may cause a headache caused by overuse of medications. Indomethacin may be used as a prescription for migraine pain. One form of this medicine is suppositories, which may be used in cases where the patient has nausea.
  • Triptans (Triptans), which act on the contraction of blood vessels and the interference of pain trajectories in the brain.
  • Drugs containing ergotamine (Ergotamine) and caffeine.
  • Opioid medicines containing substances with a drug effect.
  • Glucocorticoids (Glucocorticoids) are used with other drugs to improve and increase the effect of removal and pain relief.

Preventive treatments can be used for four or more tiring episodes during the month, when the attacks continue for 12 hours or more, or if the pain relievers are not responded to. Other preventive treatments include:

  • Cardiovascular drugs: Such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors).
  • Antidepressants: Such as tricyclic antidepressants.
  • Anti-seizure drugs: Such as Valproate and Topiramate.

Headache Hypertension

(Hypertension Headache). Symptoms occur in the form of general pain in the head, which peaks in the morning and decreases during the day, and is treated with hypotension.

Sinus headache

(Sinus Headache). Symptoms occur in the form of an irritating pain in the sinus area, which increases during the day. This pain occurs as a result of an inflammation. It is usually accompanied by a rise in body temperature, an obstruction in the sinus ducts, It is treated by giving antibiotics, decongestants, and in some cases the surgical option is used to discharge the sinuses.

Cluster headaches

Cluster Headache is a severe headache that occurs in the vicinity of the eye and causes eye convulsions, nasal congestion, and facial glaucoma. It usually occurs during sleep and extends for several hours. It occurs on a daily basis for weeks or even months. Symptoms disappear. For about a year, it is worth mentioning that 80% of the infected males between the ages of twenty to fifty years, and is treated by oxygen, and the use of topical drugs through the nose, and Ergotamine (Ergotamine), Sumatriptan (Sumatriptan ).

Hunger headache

(Hunger Headache), symptoms of which are attacks of headache before meals, causing muscle tension, low blood sugar, retinal vasodilation, increased sleep, or forgetfulness . It is treated and prevented by maintaining a diet that contains mutations containing enough protein and starch.

Headaches associated with the expansion of blood vessels

Aneurysm, which may be bursting into the blood vessels, may cause a stroke or slow blood leakage and lead to an unexpected sudden headache, double vision, stiffness in the neck, and rapid loss of consciousness It is worth mentioning that the symptoms of this headache are similar to the symptoms of migraine headaches and frequent cluster headaches, and may increase the high blood pressure of the occurrence, and is treated by an operation of the vessels in the extended if detected early.

Headache associated with arthritis

(Arthritis Headache). Symptoms occur in the form of pain in the back of the head and neck, increase in severity with movement, and result from inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, or due to changes in bone structure in the neck area. It is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants.

Headache associated with caffeine cessation

(Caffeine-Withdrawal Headaches), the symptoms of which appear in the form of a palpitation-like headache caused by retinal vasodilation, which occurs after a large amount of caffeine in several days, and is treated by stopping caffeine in exaggerated cases.

Headache associated with eye strain

Eyestrain Headaches is a rare type of pain that causes pain in the front of the head and on both sides of the head. Its presence is directly related to eye strain, and its treatment and prevention are correcting vision and vision.

Chronic Headache

(Chronic Daily Headaches). It refers to a wide range of headache types that occur for 15 days a month and are classified according to the duration of the crack if they are less than or more than four hours, usually arising from a sister type, Of stress-induced migraine headaches, or because of the increased use of drugs, and is treated by type and cause, but it is important to pay attention to reducing the use of painkillers.