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What
is a headache?
Headache is one of the
top health complaints and one of the most common reasons people see
physicians; and it's not a new problem. In Medieval times, physicians
bored holes in the skulls of their suffering patients to release trapped
spirits thought to be causing the pain. Fortunately, conventional medicine
offers less drastic treatment for headache sufferers.
Some types of headaches have an allergic basis. In
these cases, careful evaluation may pinpoint the allergen, or
allergy-causing substance, causing your headache.
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Everybody
gets headaches. How do you know when you should see a doctor about them?
Because each of us is different in how we handle pain, you must decide
yourself. However, here are some conditions which may call for a
consultation with a physician:
- The recent onset of frequent, moderate to severe
headaches, associated with other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting.
- Frequent headaches which occur on a daily or
weekly basis.
- Headaches which make it impossible for you to
think, do your work, go to school or enjoy life.
- Headaches which respond only to a great deal of
over-the-counter medication such as aspirin and Tylenol-type products.
- Headaches with fever that last more than a day or
two.
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How
are headaches diagnosed?
Your health practitioner will ask you to describe how severe your pain is
. . . where it's strongest . . .how you obtain relief . . . if other
symptoms accompany your headaches . . and if you've found that some things
make your headache worse. A physical examination will reveal the causes of
some headaches. If necessary, your doctor will order laboratory tests,
x-rays and brain-wave tests. Often these tests are ordered after
consultation with a neurologist, a physician who specializes in nerve and
brain problems.
Most people who come to an allergist for evaluation
and treatment of their headaches have been seen by other physicians. If
you have not had such a preliminary evaluation, it may be worthwhile to
visit your primary care physician first to rule out other causes of your
headaches. One hint that allergy may play a role in your headaches is if
you have other allergies such as hay fever.
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What
kinds of headaches have been shown to be caused by allergies?
Two types of headaches clearly can be caused by allergies-sinus headaches
and migraines. Another unusual headache called cluster headache is
possibly related to allergic disease.
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What
are the symptoms of sinus headache?
The four groups of sinus cavities in the head are hollow air spaces with
openings into the nose for the exchange of air and mucus. They're located
inside each cheek-bone, behind the eyes, behind the bridge of the nose and
in the forehead. Secretions from the sinus cavities normally drain into
the nose. Sinus headaches and pain occur when the sinuses are swollen and
their openings into the nasal passages are obstructed, stopping normal
drainage and causing pressure to build up. Often the pain is localized
over the affected sinus. For example, if the maxillary sinus in the cheeks
is obstructed, your cheeks may be tender to the touch and pain may radiate
to your jaw and teeth. Sinus pain can be dull to intense, often begins in
the morning and becomes less intense after you move from a lying-down to
an upright position. Antihistamines/decongestants help relieve the pain.
If the area over a sinus becomes tender and you have a fever, the
obstructed sinus may be infected. More intensive treatment, including
antibiotics, is then required.
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What about
migraines?
Migraine headaches vary from very intense and disabling to mild. Migraines
tend to be throbbing, usually one-sided headaches, which often are
aggravated by sunlight and are frequently accompanied by nausea. There are
two general types of migraine: classic and common (plus many variations).
Classic migraine
attacks tend to be severe and of long duration. They are preceded by aura,
a sensation that signals the start of a headache. The aura may be a funny
smell, partial vision loss or a strange sound. Common migraine is
more prevalent than classic migraine. Attacks are generally milder and
shorter. There is no aura. However, because the attacks may occur more
frequently, common migraine also can be quite disabling. For more
information on migraine headaches
click here.
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What
is the role of allergy in these types of headaches?
Sinus headaches develop because of swollen sinus membranes. Allergic
reactions to airborne pollens, dust, animal danders, molds as well as
foods can lead to sinus obstruction. Treatment of the underlying allergic
cause of sinus pain will result in long-term relief. Medications used to
treat allergies include antihistamines, decongestants, intranasal steroids
and cromolyn. In some cases, immunotherapy, or "allergy shots,"
may be recommended. When possible, of course, avoid the allergen if your
allergy is caused by an avoidable substance-such as food or an animal.
A large number of recent scientific studies have
described the importance of food allergy in migraine attacks. Some
migraine sufferers will benefit from a careful evaluation of food allergy
as a cause of their headaches. Some migraines are provoked by food
additives or naturally occurring food chemicals such as monosodium
glutamate (often added to Chinese food and packaged foods), tyramine
(found in many cheeses), phenylethylamine (found in chocolate) or alcohol.
The artificial sweetener aspartame and the preservative metabisulfite also
may cause migraine. Often, only a few foods trigger migraines and, by
limiting or avoiding their use, you can experience complete or marked
relief without medication.
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