Headaches!
The Most Common Complaint
 Over 50 million Americans go to a physician
to get relief from headaches. Then there are the countless millions who
suffer their pain in solitude. It is estimated that as a country, the United
States spend more than $400 million a year on aspirin and other over-the-counter
drugs. And U.S. industry is reported to lose at least $55 million a year
from absent workers who are tending to their pounding heads. It used to
be that physicians thought these headaches were "only in our heads." That
notion has changed. Now pretty much everyone understands that headaches
are real. And at times they can be debilitating.
Muscle-contraction headaches. The most common
headaches are the muscle-contraction headache, or as they are popularly
referred to as the tension headache. These headaches tend to concentrate
in the "hatband" region of the head, and can run into the neck and shoulders.
These types of headaches generally take a while to develop, even though
they feel as if they suddenly appear. Most people can control this
type of headache by relaxing shoulder muscles--if they start the relaxation
process before they get a full blown headache. Some people, however, have
extremely painful tension headaches that seem stronger than what could
be accounted for by simple muscle contractions. Over the counter remedies,
such as some type of pain analgesic as aspirin, generally works for most
people to relieve pain.
Migraine headaches. Migraines create pain
on a scale from bad to needing to be hospitalized. Most people cannot do
anything but take care of their headache when they have a migraine. Many
sufferers experience nausea, and unfortunately, the headache can last several
days in a row. Some unlucky people have migraine attacks every month. Migraines
are caused by a swelling of blood vessels in the head which press up against
sensitive nerves. Many people experience an "aura" before onset of pain.
About the only thing that sufferers can do is to rest quietly in a dark
place, and take something for the pain. Definitely consult your physician
for the best type of medication for you.
Cluster headaches. These are the "mother"
of all headaches. People describe them as if branding irons were thrust
in one of their eyes. They are always on the same side of the head, and
generally last from between 20 minutes to two hours. They are called cluster
headaches, because they recur for a least once a day for weeks or months,
frequently late at night. Cluster headaches are definitely more common
among men, and we don't even have to tell you to see a physician about
such a headache. Most sufferers will head for any type of relief available.
Whatever type of headache you are prone to,
prevention is the most appropriate course of action. Exercise seems to
help for all type of headaches--and not after the headache has started!
But regular exercise will work as a preventive measure to reduce the frequency
and severity of headaches. Diet makes a big difference as well. Unfortunately,
there is no set answer as to what is the best diet. Everyone has to experiment
with their diet to see what contributes to their pattern of headaches.
Smoking is a definite no-no. Cigarette smoking is definitely associated
with cluster headaches.
Relaxation exercises seem to work for most
people. And again, you can't start a relaxation exercise after you get
your headache. The pain would make it too difficult to concentrate on relaxing.
Regular practice of meditation or relaxation will pay big dividends in
preventing tension headaches.
Stretching exercises can also help, especially
with tension headaches. Rotate your neck slowly and carefully, being careful
not to bend your neck backwards. Don't pull too hard on your neck muscles.
The key for stretching the neck is always to be gentle and slow. For any
readers who sit for long periods at their keyboards, stretching once an
hour can go a long ways towards preventing tension headaches.
Finally, if the headache just won't go away,
try focusing on the pain. Describe it. What color is? What size is it?
Keep watching it carefully, and you will notice that it begins to change
shape and color. Keep describing it and focusing on the pain. Don't run
away from it, and you find like many, many people that as you continue
to focus on the pain, it begins to dissipate. Give it a try.
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