Let’s talk about headaches!

If you know me  then you know this is a very personal topic!

Do you ever wonder what that headache is? What’s caused it? Why you? Or Why won’t it go away?

Here are the facts:

• Headache disorders  according to the WHO are among the most common disorders of the nervous system.
• It is estimated that nearly 50% of adults have a headache disorder 
• Headache on 15 or more days per month affects 1.7 to 4% of the worlds Adult population.
• Headaches formed the 3rd highest cause worldwide of years lost due to disability!
• The long term effort of coping with headaches have been found to predispose people to other illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

So quite alarming figures above, but often headaches are not taken seriously and most importantly the burden of its effect on sufferers can be ignored and under treated.

Types of Headaches 

Migraines- Now this is the most commonly talked about  primary type of headache(often times wrongly diagnosed). Migraines often begin at puberty and most commonly affect adults between 35-45. It is more common in women (women are twice as likely to have it) and this has been thought to be due to hormonal influences.It is recurrent and individuals often report recurrent attacks with peaks at certain periods.

Migraine headaches  are typically described as affecting only one side of the head, pulsating in quality, aggravated by physical activity, associated nausea and can last anywhere between a few hours to a few days.Migraines also affect children and typically children are more likely to complain of abdominal symptoms.

Tension -Type Headache- Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches and often are wrongly diagnosed as migraines. Most people will report an episode of this type of headache at least once a month with 1-3% of people going on to develop chronic Tension headaches. It often begins during teenage years affecting more women than men(3 women for every 2 men). It is greatly associated with stress and muscle pain in the neck. Episodic attacks usually last a few hours but can last a few days.

It is usually described as a pressure or tightness around the head often like a band often spreading from the neck or into the neck.

Cluster Headache-This type of headache is relatively uncommon. It is estimated to affect fewer than 1 in 1000 adults and is more common in men(6 men to every woman affected). It is described as frequently occuring( multiple episodes per day),brief busy extremely severe pain usually focused around one eye. Individuals will often report tearing or redness of the eye with a runny or blocked nose on that side. It can also be episodic or chronic.

Medication Overuse Headache- the definition is in the name. This is a secondary headache disorder caused by overuse of medication to treat primary headache disorders listed above. It affects about 5% of the general population and is again more common in women.It is described as relentless, difficult to manage with episodes occuring more days than not and is worse on waking up.

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Treatment 

Whilst I’ve tried to describe primary headache disorders, I have done so with a qualified and well informed approach.

It is important that before starting any treatments, readers consult with trained and qualified medical practitioners. Whilst a headache is commonly a primary disorder, it could also be a symptom of something more sinister like a brain mass/tumour, bleeding in the brain or any other complex neurological disorder. This is particularly pertinent when there are other associated symptoms or headache coincides with trauma to the head or is sudden onset.

Headaches are usually treated with

• Analgesics
• Anti-sickness medications
• Anti-migraine medications 
• Preventative medications (for migraines)

Prevention

Some people with primary headache disorders can identify certain trigger factors such as diet, sleep, stress, musculoskeletal disorder, eyesight, dehydration, certain smells etc and often addressing these factors will help prevent episodes of attack. Some people have found techniques such as Yoga, massage, aromatherapy and acupuncture useful.

Headache disorders are not perceived by the public as serious since they are mostly episodic, do not cause death, and are not contagious, however if you are like me and suffer from headaches, you know how disabling they can become!

The low consultation rates in developed countries like Nigeria may indicate that many affected people are unaware that effective treatments exist. 

Women are more likely to have headaches and Half of the population of people with headache disorders are estimated to be self-treating.

Do you get headaches? Please consult with a medical practioner to correctly identify the disorder, effective treatments and lifestyle modifications that can make living with headaches easier!

Do you have a primary headache disorder? What works for you? Please comment below!

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