A common headache involves mild to severe pain in one or more parts of the head, as well as the back of the neck. While painful and annoying, the majority of headaches are tension related and do not indicate a serious disorder. This type of headache accounts for 70% of all cases and can normally be treated very quickly and easily.
Migraines are sometimes referred to as “bilious headaches” - a form of chronic recurring headache. Symptoms of migraines include severe pain on one or both sides of the head or forehead area, nausea, vomiting and in some instances, sensitivity to light and sound.
During an attack, the blood vessels in the brain dilate and then draw together with stimulations of nerve endings near the affected blood vessels. It is these changes to the blood vessels that are thought to cause the pain.
Tension headaches are normally infrequent and are generally caused by the following:
Migraines are still poorly understood by the medical profession, but it is thought that heredity plays a part as there is often a predisposition for migraines within a family of sufferers. They are a common condition, affecting 20 per cent of females and 6 per cent of males in their lifetime. Around 90 per cent of sufferers have their first migraine before they are 40. Sufferers often report that the following can trigger an attack:
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Overindulgence
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Daily stresses/mild anxiety
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Exercise
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Lack of sleep
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Alcohol
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Bright lights
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Loud noise
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Different types of food (cheese, chocolate, wine and citrus fruits are commonly cited)
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Travel
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PMS and menstruation
Occasionally, sufferers of migraines will experience a “prodrome” or “aura” which are a collection of specific symptoms affecting the brain and vision that can sometimes precede an attack. These symptoms include seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines, temporary vision loss, speech difficulty, tingling and/or weakness in the limbs, face and hands, confusion and giddiness.†
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Gentle exercise - some people find that gentle exercise such as walking for 30 mins or doing some light yoga can help ease their pain. However, make sure you don’t overdo it!
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Homeopathy such as Nux Vom 6c and Belladonna 30c have been traditionally used to help with severe headaches. (Always read the label.)∏ Ω
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Massage - touch is a great healer and a massage with soothing essential oils can bring some relief to chronic headache sufferers.
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Heat/cold treatments - put a cold compress over your forehead or try having a warm bath with some soothing aromatherapy oils. Extremes of hot and cold temperatures should be avoided.
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Acupuncture - may be able to help with some of your symptoms.
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If the headache is related to daily stresses, relaxation techniques or preparations like Rescue Remedy may help. (Always read the label.)
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Engage in correct posture while sitting and working. Make sure you have a chair that is adjustable and promotes good posture.
† Medical referral is advisable if symptoms worsen or persist.
∏ On no account should prescribed medication be discontinued, except under a doctor’s supervision.
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Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
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