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Chronic Headache InformationSee Also: Side Effects of Modern Medical Treatments for Chronic Headache.
|
 | 1) Tension-type headaches |
| 2) Vascular headaches |
Headaches may also result from:
| 1) Existing medical conditions |
| 2) Medications such as analgesics |
75% of all headaches are tension-type headaches, caused by a tightening of the muscles in the back of the neck and the scalp. This tightening of the muscles decreases the blood flow to the head, and irritates the pain fibers in the skin, muscles, and walls of the blood vessels. Tension-type headaches produce a steady, constant pain on both sides of the head which can last anywhere from several hours to several days, or even months. If these headaches occur regularly over a period of years they are considered to be chronic. Tension-type headaches can be triggered by:
| muscle strain |
| stress |
| fatigue |
| specific foods |
| menstruation |
| depression and anxiety |
| medications (see section on "Analgesic Rebound Headaches") |
Vascular headaches are caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the head, and are characterized by a throbbing or pounding pain, usually on one side of the head. The most common vascular headaches are:
| 1. Migraines |
| 2. Cluster headaches |
| 3. Migraine Headaches |
28 million people in the United States suffer from migraine
headaches—12% of the total population (6% of all males, 18% of all
females). For more than 70% of migraine sufferers the tendency to
have migraines is hereditary. Migraines often begin during
adolescence, but occur most frequently in adults between the ages of
35 and 45.
Migraines are associated with changing levels of seratonin, a
neurotransmitter produced in the brain. At the onset of a migraine
headache the seratonin levels first rise and then fall dramatically.
In addition to a throbbing or pounding pain on one side of the head,
migraine sufferers also experience nausea, extreme sensitivity to
light and noise, and sometimes dizziness or lightheadedness. The
pain is aggravated by activity.
20% of migraine sufferers experience a visual disturbance (aura) at
the onset of the headache, usually 20 to 60 minutes before the
headache starts. The aura is experienced as flashes of light or
shimmering jagged lines in the field of vision. The individual may
also experience blank spots in the field of vision, tunnel vision,
numbness, weakness, or difficulty speaking.
Migraine headaches can be triggered by:
| diet |
| skipping meals |
| alcohol |
| stress |
| fatigue |
| changes in sleep patterns |
| bright lights |
| television |
| loud noise |
| menstruation |
| environmental changes |
| weather changes |
| strong emotional states, such as depression, anxiety or excitement |
Over 1 million people in the United States suffer from cluster headaches. 90% are male, and most are between the ages of 20 and 30. The name "cluster headaches" is used because they occur in groups, up to 4 times a day. They are also referred to as "alarm clock headaches" since they usually occur at the same time each day, often in the night or in the early morning hours. Cluster headaches are the most painful type of headache, producing a sharp burning or piercing sensation. The pain is felt on one side of the head, usually behind the eye. During the headache the eye becomes watery and inflamed, and the pupil will contract. The nose may become congested on the same side of the head as the pain. Cluster headaches are short, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 or 2 hours. Because the attack is so brief, administering medications can be difficult. Cluster headaches usually occur for a few weeks or months at a time and then go into remission for months or even years.
Cluster Headaches can be triggered by:
| smoking |
| alcohol |
| histamines |
| nitroglycerin |
Headaches may also occur due to flu, fever, infections, internal bleeding, and tumors, or in connection with conditions such as sinusitis, allergies, arthritis, or head injury. In these cases, once the contributing condition is relieved the headache goes away.
Analgesic Rebound Headaches are caused by prescription or non-prescription headache medications. Analgesic agents are used to treat headache symptoms, but when they are taken on a daily basis they can become the cause of headaches. Since the medication interferes with the body's natural ability to fight pain, the body becomes extremely susceptible to pain once the influence of the drug has worn off.
| Every day one out of seven Americans stops or limits their activity due to a headache |
| Each year 90% of all men and 95% of all women have at least one headache |
| 10 million people visit the doctor each year due to headaches Absenteeism and medical care for headaches costs the United States over 50 billion dollars annually |
| Over 40 million people suffer from chronic headaches that recur for years |
| Each year more than 4 billion dollars is spent on over-the-counter medications for headaches, many of which are not effective in relieving the pain. |
| Harmful effects, which can be serious and even lethal, are associated with every facet of modern medicine. Click here for information about general hazards of modern medical treatments. |
| Over-the-counter analgesics (pain relievers) |
| Prescription analgesics |
| Vasoconstrictors |
| Beta blockers |
| Calcium channel blockers |
| Antidepressants |
| Muscle relaxants |
Over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin and acetaminophen are sold as pain relievers and may help reduce inflammation. They are sometimes combined with other ingredients such as caffeine in an attempt to improve the effectiveness of the drug. Side effects of over-the-counter analgesics include:
| nausea |
| dizziness |
| lightheadedness |
| rebound headaches |
Overdose of prescription analgesics can create other health problems such as:
| anxiety |
| confusion |
| excitement |
| restlessness |
| insomnia |
| slurred speech |
| addiction |
Prescription analgesics are used for moderate and severe pain associated with tension-type headaches and migraines. Either single analgesics, such as ibuprofen and meclofenamate, or combination analgesics may be prescribed. The combination analgesics are thought to be more effective, but are also more dangerous to use because they may be combined with habit forming agents such as sedatives or codeine. Side effects of prescription analgesics include:
| bloating |
| dizziness |
| drowsiness |
| nausea |
| gastric irritation |
| ulcers |
| rebound headaches |
Since vasoconstrictors have even more serious side effects than analgesics, they are usually prescribed for vascular headaches only when analgesics fail. They attempt to prevent headaches by stopping the blood vessels from swelling. The most common vasoconstrictor is ergotamine. Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is an intravenous form of ergotamine. Due to the dangers of their side effects, it is advised not to use vasoconstrictors more that once very 4 days. Side effects of vasoconstrictors include:
| circulatory problems |
| changes in blood pressure |
| sensitivity to cold |
| numbness |
| blurred vision |
| drowsiness |
| nausea |
Beta blockers are used primarily for hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders, but they may also be prescribed for vascular headaches. They are given to stabilize the action of the blood vessels and prevent them from dilating. These drugs used on a daily basis with the goal of preventing headaches. It is important that beta blockers are not used by people with asthma or other respiratory diseases. Side effects of beta blockers include:
| difficulty breathing |
| hallucinations |
| skin discoloration |
| depression |
| fever |
| sore throat |
| slurred speech |
| numbness |
| nausea and vomiting |
| stomach pains |
Calcium channel blockers are generally used for treating cardiovascular disorders, however they may also be prescribed to treat vascular headaches such as migraines and cluster headaches. The goal of using calcium channel blockers is to disallow calcium ions from entering the muscle cells of the blood vessels, and thereby keep the blood vessels from swelling. These drugs are taken on a daily basis in the hope of preventing headaches. Side effects of calcium channel blockers include:
| loss of balance |
| fainting |
| muscle stiffness |
| trembling |
| difficulty speaking |
Antidepressants such as tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are used to treat chronic tension-type headaches. They act as an analgesic and may also have an effect on depression related to the headache. The most common antidepressant used is amitriptyline. Side effects of tricyclics or monoamine oxidase inhibitors include:
| high blood pressure |
| dizziness |
| lightheadedness |
| faintness |
| blurred vision |
| drowsiness |
| weight gain |
| dry mouth |
| sensitivity to sunlight |
Muscle relaxants are used for tension-type headaches and in the early stages of migraines. Some muscle relaxants are mixed with caffeine or codeine and can be addictive. Side effects of muscle relaxants include:
| gastric irritation |
| addiction |
Disclaimer: The content in this information page for headaches
is provided by the
Maharishi Ayurveda Foundation. It is for information
purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or to replace the advice given by a
primary health care provider. Because of the rapid change of information in the field of medicine
Maharishi Vedic Health Center does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the
information provided.
For more information call 800-431-9680 · Maharishi Vedic Vibration Technology, 100 Old North Branch Road, Antrim, New Hampshire 03440 · Fax 603-588-2115 · E-mail information@vedicvibration.com Entire contents copyright © 2000 Maharishi Ayurveda Foundation. All rights reserved. Please refer to legal details concerning copyright and trademark protection. |
