Brain Pain
Headaches have plagued mankind since the beginning of time. Associated with demonic
possession, headaches have been treated over the ages with blood letting and cutting a
hole in the skull. Today’s physicians have less drastic methods to fight a
"devil of a headache," says Justin Nash, PhD, of the
Lifespan Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine.
How many people suffer from headaches?
It’s one of the most frequent health complaints—76 percent of women and 57
percent of men say they have a headache at least once a month.
What is the most common type?
A tension headache. It occurs on both sides of the head and can last from a half
hour to days.
What’s the difference between a cluster headache and a migraine?
Cluster headaches are fairly rare and most often strike men. They can last from 15
minutes to three hours with many of them occurring in a day. The pain is sudden and on one
side of the head, with tearing in one eye and nasal congestion on the same side of the
head.
Migraines show up in 17 percent of women and nine percent of men. They usually come as a
single episode, and last from hours to days. The pain pulsates on one side of the head.
People often feel nauseated and are sensitive to noise and light. Before an attack, some
people see auras, flashing lights, zigzag lines or a blind spot.
A cluster headache sufferer may have total relief for years at a time while migraine
sufferers have headaches in a regular pattern throughout the year.
What lifestyle changes help migraines?
Sleep and eat on a regular schedule. Avoid problem foods like cheese, nuts,
chocolate, caffeine and deli meats, manage stress, use relaxation strategies and exercise.
What medications are available to control migraines?
For occasional migraines, take medication at the time of an attack. Over-the-counter
pain drugs help. The prescription drug Imitrex is extremely effective and provides
substantial relief to more than 70 percent of sufferers. It’s now available in a nasal
spray. For frequent migraines, a physician may prescribe a daily preventive medication.
Can a person outgrow headaches?
Women whose headaches are related to hormone activity may get relief from migraines
after menopause, but there’s no guarantee.
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