Headaches are common symptom among general population. Causes of headaches are related to intracranial brain problems i.e. Tumor, Infection, Bleeding, Abnormal blood vessels, increased intracranial pressure. However, the external causes of headaches are more common, such as Hypertension, Cervical spondylosis, glaucoma, vasodilator medications. Nevertheless, Tension and migraine are 85 to 90% of headaches population. Therefore, diagnosis should be made by specialist for proper treatment.
Headaches symptoms that require medical attention
- Acute severe headaches
- Severe headaches that continue to increase in intensity
- Headaches that occur while exercising, coughing, or sexual intercourse
- Headaches that are accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, fever, feeling weak, aches and pains in the muscles or joints
- Blurred vision, constant vomiting, loss of balance, fainting
Headaches and the following signs require hospitalization
- High fever, high blood pressure
- Withdrawal, sleepiness, fainting
- Unequal pupil dilation, pupils unresponsive to light
- Swollen of optic nerve
- Stiff neck
- Loss of strength in arms and legs
- Loss of balance
- Rash or bumps on scalp and pain when touching rash.
Migraine headaches
Migraine headaches are two times more likely to occur in women than in men. Symptoms include perdiodic headaches on either side of the head, throbbing pain like a heartbeat, stomach sickness, vomiting, blurred vision, or seeing flashing lights. The headaches can last up to 2-3 hours, will subside for a while, but then the headaches will return. This cycle will repeat itself many times for a day or week
The exact causes of migraines are still unknown, although it is believed that they are related to abnormal blood vessel dilatations in the brain. The pain originates from specific nerves of the face and cranium sending signals to the brain, causing migraine headaches.
Triggers that can cause migraine headaches
- Food additives, food preservatives, peanuts, butter, chocolate, blood vessel contraction medication
- Starvation, causing lower levels of sugar in the bloodstream
- Change in sleep patterns due to working in shifts, or traveling abroad to countries in a different time zone from Thailand
- Female hormones, menstruation, or even during the initial stages of pregnancy
- Hot temperatures, strong odors such as perfume or garbage, smoke from smoking, or fumes from vehicle exhausts
Diagnosis of migraine headaches
A proper diagnosis by a doctor or specialist should involve a history of headaches related to the nervous system, visual aura, checking for symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, or intensifying headache pain while exercising. All of the symptoms mentioned above are specific symptoms of a migraine headache. However, Central nervous system diseases must be ruled out.
Treatment
In many migraine patients. Headaches can disappear by itself. The frequent severe headaches can interfere with daily living, absent from duty etc., Treatment by specialist is required, however the treatment can be considered as follows
- Avoid triggers sometimes reduce or abolish headaches
- Preventive treatment, in case of frequent headaches. Medications may be taken in a preventive measures
- Abortive treatment. In case of infrequent headaches or any occurrence of headaches may require the medications that can quickly relieve headaches. Physicians should decide about your proper treatment.
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