Headache Overview

Headache is the most common neurological disorder suffered by 1.7% to 4% of the world’s population out of which 3% areIndians. Common symptoms of headache include throbbing or pulsating pain, sensitivity to light or sound, vomiting, nausea and even changes in the vision. Usually headaches are mild, but sometimes it can cause severe pain making it difficult to perform daily activities. It is undeniable that we have felt that excruciating pain at least once in our lives. Did you know that about 5 million people have chronic migraine(a type of headache) on a daily basis?

Types of Headache:

1. Primary Headache

·        Migraine headaches: These are often described as pounding, throbbing pain, sometimes with or without an aura. Migraine with an aura (also called classic migraine) is a recurring and severe headache that occurs after or at the same time as sensory disturbances called aura. These disturbances include flashes of light, blind spots or even tingling in your hands or face. They can last for up to 3 days and usually occur 1 to 4 times a month. People experience other symptoms like sensitivity to light, noise, or certain smells; loss of appetite and an upset stomach.
Many migraine headaches are triggered by internal or external factors including the menstrual cycle, stress, fatigue or even certain foods such as alcohol, caffeine or chocolate. People are more prone to a migraine attack if it is genetic (family history). Did you know that according to the Migraine Research Foundation, about 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine?

·        Cluster headache:These are considered the most severe headache type. The person experiences intense burning or piercing pain behind the eyes or around one eye. During such excruciating pain, the eye reddens and the pupils get smaller resulting in watery eyes. Most people with cluster headaches are unable to sit still during an attack. Cluster headaches occur 1 to 3 times per day, which may last up to 3 months. Each attack usually lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours depending upon the intensity as they tend to happen in groups.

·        Tension headache: This is the most common type of headache among adults and teens that are often a diffuse. They cause mild to moderate pain that come and go over time.

The reason for headache can be triggers like:

  • Alcohol
  • Lack of sleep
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Poor posture
  • Skipping meals
  • Stress/tension

2. Secondary headache

·        Acute sinusitis: A sinus headache results in deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead or on the bridge of your nose. This occurs when cavities in your head, called sinuses get inflamed. Other sinusitis symptoms are runny nose, fullness in the ears, fever and a swollen face. Sinusitis headaches usually result from a sinus infection resulting in yellow or green discharge from your nose. X-ray findings show hazy sinuses often due to inflammation or a build-up of fluids.

·        Otitis media (Ear infection): It is a painful type of ear infection that occurs when the area behind the eardrum becomes inflamed and infected. This infection headache happens when bacteria traps fluid behind the eardrum, causing pain and swelling. Young children are more prone to have ear infections although anybody can get it.

·        High BP:During high BP people generally experience occipital headaches that feel like severe piercing, throbbing or shock-like pain in back of head and the upper neck or behind the ears.

·        Trigeminal neuralgia: This is a chronic type of headache that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensations from your face to your brain. Even mild stimulations like brushing or applying make-up can act as triggers, leading to excruciating pain.

·        Brain tumor:The presence of a brain tumor or brain aneurysm (brain bleed) can lead to an intense headache. The skull starts to build up with blood or extra tissue resulting in a seizure and even memory loss.

·        Meningitis:It is caused due to an inflammation of the meanings (3 membranes) that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur when the fluid surrounding the membranes becomes infected, resulting in fever and stiffness in the neck.

What if the patient is left untreated?

·        Recurrent headaches can cause nausea, vertigo and photophobia (light sensitivity) that negatively affects the quality of life. Co-morbid conditions like mood disorders contribute in making the condition worse.

·        Chronic use of painkillers can cause addiction, depression and even reduction in brainmatter.

Once the type of headache is diagnosed, it becomes easier to choose the right headache treatment.

Importance of homeopathy treatment & its benefits:

Homeopathic medicine has no side-effects and toxicity; enabling long-term treatment. Homeopathy helps reduce the intensity, rate of recurrence and duration of the headache with safe and natural methods.

A total of 3,709 patients with long-term chronic disorders like headaches were studied for 8 years. The study group included 2722 adults and 819 children. The study showed that 75% of children, 74.3% of women and 67.2% of men showed improvement after homeopathic treatment. (Source: National Centre for Biotechnology Information)

The homeopathic approach to migraine, or any constant headache, involves a detailed evaluation of the patient’s case history to understand a variety of factors. These factors might be emotional, mental or physical that tends to make the headaches better or worse. A homeopathic doctor takes this evaluation to understand headache patterns, triggers and even the patient’s temperament. This enables them to prescribe the right headache remedies and medicines that treat the root cause of the problem.