Articles Index

Alcohol and Headaches

Alcohol and headaches have gone together for as long as can be remembered. Headaches are usually associated with “hangovers” and the effects of heavy drinking the day before. There are also so-called “soon-after headaches” that can appear shortly after your first drink as well.

Concussions and Headaches

Concussions occur when there is minor injury to the brain. It is a short loss of brain function, usually following some sort of injury. Concussions are common in sports such as football, in which players are likely to be struck in the head. Headache is a common early symptom of a concussion, and should be considered along with other symptoms to determine the nature of an accident or trauma.

Headaches and Strokes

The relationship between headaches and strokes is a fairly complex one, but a connection that is worth exploring. Experiencing “the worst headache of your life” is one reason a patient should call his or her physician right away. Why can a severe headache be dangerous? What does it signify? To answer some of these questions it may be useful to learn briefly about strokes themselves.

Cerebral Aneurysms

A cerebral aneurysm is a “weak spot” in an artery in the brain. This weakness allows the vessel to balloon outward and fill with blood, possibly leading to pressure on a nerve or brain tissue near the aneurysm. Aneurysms can also leak or rupture, causing blood to spill into the surrounding tissue (hemorrhage). What causes them and how do they relate to headaches? c

Headache Resources

There are a lot of great Guides on About.com and many of them write about topics that relate to migraines and headaches. Here is a representative list of useful headache-related content around the About.com network.

Headache Humor

A headache is no laughing matter, but being able to laugh at a situation can sometimes make all the difference. Here are some headache-related jokes and humorous quotes to lighten your day. There are literally hundreds of variations on some of these jokes, but I tried to pick out the most appropriate to share here on About.com. Remember, the ability to laugh at one’s self can go a long way in promoting a healthy outlook on life.

Headache Triggers

Headache triggers vary widely, and no one person experiences headaches the same way as another. There are very common triggers, however, and learning to anticipate problems before they start is a great way to prevent headaches.

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin Syndrome is an extremely dangerous condition that is usually caused by an adverse reaction to some medication. It can be the result of medication interactions, overdose, or even therapeutic use. There are numerous drugs used to treat headaches that can cause Serotonin Syndrome so headache sufferers would be wise to learn more about this potentially life-threatening condition.

What Is a Headache?

All headaches are not created equal, and understanding signs and symptoms of the various types of headaches will increase your ability to treat and cope with your particular condition.

Headache Symptoms

Headaches symptoms can vary greatly, being as unique as the headache sufferer. There are a number of very common symptoms, though that can help you determine which type of headache you are experiencing.

Diagnosing Headaches

Diagnosing headaches does not need to be a complicated matter. In order for your physician to properly diagnose your headache and prescribe an adequate treatment, it is important to relay symptoms in an orderly and logical format.

Preventing Headaches

One of the most effective treatments for headache is preventing headaches before they start. Headaches can be triggered by a number of things, so understanding how to interrupt the cycle can be a huge benefit, and a wonderful way to improve your quality of life.

Headache Treatments

There are many, many headache treatment, as evidenced by the abundance of advertisements on radio and television, in magazines, and on the internet. What works well for one person may or may not work well for another, so it is a good thing there are so many choices. Here is an overview of some of the treatments being used for headaches.

The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire

The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was developed to measure the effect migraine headaches have on your daily function. It tries to determine how many days of your life were affected to the point that you were unable to function in a way to which you are accustomed. MIDAS takes into account the past three months when asking the questions.

PedMIDAS Questionnaire

The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was developed to measure the effect migraine headaches have on your daily function. It tries to determine how many days of your life were affected to the point that you were unable to function in a way to which you are accustomed. MIDAS takes into account the past three months when asking the questions. It was later adapted for children and given the label “PedMIDAS.”

Coping with Migraines

I interviewed one of my patients with migraines and asked her about what she thought was important to share with others who may be suffering similarly. We talked for quite a while about how migraines have impacted her life and what she has done to cope. Having opportunities to share with others can be an important part of learning to deal with a frustrating, but manageable condition.

Children With Migraines

Most children will experience at least one headache before the age of 15 so it important for parents to understand how to help children with migraines. About 5% to 10% grade school children will get a migraine and up to 20% of adolescents will experience one. Although the treatment of headaches in children is fairly straightforward, diagnosis isn’t always as simple.

More Headache Triggers

There are many migraine and headache triggers, and many of them happen to relate to food. You are probably aware of some of these, and you may even know all of them, but be sure to read on and find out if any of these culprits are causing your problems.

Finding a Doctor

Many of us will end up looking for a new doctor more than once in our lifetimes. Others of us will look year after year. If you change employers, or your current employer changes insurance plans, you may need to start asking questions to find the best healthcare provider for your particular needs. You may not know where to start, but learning to “interview” a potential practice is definitely in your best interest. Here are 7 questions to get you started as you look.

Migraine Aura

Many time migraine headaches are preceded by some sort of visual disturbance known as migraine auras. They usually occur anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours before the pain of a migraine starts. These symptoms typically last for anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes. There are times when the aura occurs without actual pain, and in these cases it is known as a migraine equivalent.

Famous People With Headaches

Migraine headaches are a pain to famous people and us “regular folks” alike. Celebrity news being as plentiful as it is right now, it’s easy to read reports of current celebrities and their struggles with health issues, headaches included. Looking back through history we see many important historical figures that seem to have been plagued by migraines. In some cases we can also see how migraines may have impacted the way these people saw the world.

Mental Health and Headaches

For years, physicians have suspected that mental health and headaches have a close connection. Current and recent research is beginning to show that many people who suffer from various types of mental illness will also have headaches or migraines. Whatever your specific circumstances, know that mental illness can affect the way you feel pain, especially headaches.

Headache Diary

A headache diary can be a useful tool when trying to achieve the best level of care for your migraines and headaches. Charting the specifics of your headache episodes will help your health care provider determine what type of headache[/link] you are experiencing and how best to treat them. Find a notebook, a calendar, or create a computer file where you can easily keep track of it all and get started today.

Prescription Migraine Treatments

Typically, most migraine sufferers will try an over-the-counter medication first, but often they will end up needing some sort of prescription migraine treatment as well. Many of the abortive treatments available for headaches will treat not only migraines, but other headache types as well. However, there are a number of specific prescription migraine treatments available. As with all treatments for migraines, be sure to discuss questions and concerns you may have with your health care provider.

Dangerous Headaches in Pregnancy

While you don’t need to worry much about many headaches, there is such a thing as dangerous headaches in pregnancy. Migraines won’t necessarily get worse during pregnancy, and they can be treated fairly easily, but occasionally a headache can be a warning sign of more serious problems.