WuXi AppTec Content Team Editor
“Ah, ah, I can’t do it, my head hurts…” Many people talk about headaches, and almost everyone has experienced headaches.
But why on earth do we have headaches? The answer is not that simple.
There are currently more than 150 types of headaches. Different types of headaches have different causes and treatments.
Today I will show you what are the two most common types of headaches in life.
Figure | pixabay
tensity headache
Tension headaches are a common type of headache in adults and teens, afflicting almost 80% of the population.
It’s mild to moderate pain, ranging from 30 minutes to hours or even days, sudden onset, or long, chronic headaches .
Episodic tension headache: Less than 15 headache days per month, usually within a few hours of waking and worsening over time, Rarely causes the patient to wake up painfully.
Chronic Tension Headache: The number of headache days per month is greater than 15. The severity may increase with the number of headaches. Although the headache persists, the pain level may vary. no change.
Tension headaches can make you feel tired and want to lose your temper, but generally do not interfere with daily activities, affect vision, balance/strength, or cause nausea and vomiting Wait.
Causes of tension headaches
In most cases, tension headaches are triggered by stress in life, and there are many possible triggers:
Insufficient rest (lack of sleep), fatigue, eyestrain;
Wrong sitting or sleeping position;
Emotional or mental stress, including depression, anxiety;
Hunger, dehydration (dehydration);
Low iron content;
drinking alcohol or coffee, smoking;
Oral health issues such as teeth;
Cold or sinus infection;
Changes in the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins, etc.
Treatment of tension headaches
Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of the headache, it is best to treat the headache as soon as it starts.
If the headaches are getting more frequent and severe, waking up at night; new symptoms (such as being particularly irritable, emotionally unstable); starting to have a fever, stiff neck , nausea and vomiting, eating and drinking are all problems; headache after exercise, sex, coughing or sneezing, which seriously affects daily work and life, must go to the hospital in time.
1. Non-drug treatments
Most patients with episodic tension headaches are mild to moderate, and European guidelines recommend nonpharmacological treatment as the first choice. Specific methods include:
Physical examination and comfort of the patient (eg, stress and pain management);
Minimize precipitating factors (eg, identify headache triggers and protective factors);
Physical therapy (daily exercise and correction of poor work posture);
Biofeedback therapy, etc.
Figure | pixabay
2. Medication
For patients with two or more episodes per week, symptomatic over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are recommended.
Research evidence suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such asAspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen drugs have better efficacy and fewer gastrointestinal adverse reactions. For details, please consult a professional physician or pharmacist.
3. Tension Headache Prevention
Try to pace yourself, find ways to relax and manage your stress.
Such as doing yoga, meditating, exercising regularly, improving posture, getting enough sleep, eating a regular and balanced diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and coffee, maintaining a sense of humor and a positive attitude, etc.
If over-the-counter pain relievers are not helping, and the headache is severe, it may not be a tension headache, but more likely a migraine.
Migraine
Migraine headaches usually present as throbbing pain or throbbing pain on one side of the head, ranging from moderate to severe, and can affect one or both sides of the head.
During an attack, the person has difficulty concentrating, and physical activity, light, sound, or irritating odors can make the headache worse.
Because of increased sensitivity, many patients prefer to lie in a dark, quiet room until the headache is relieved, which often disappears after falling asleep.
Migraine attacks typically last from a few hours to a few days and can vary widely in frequency and severity, such as:
Mild migraine, characterized by mild attacks of headache without nausea or light sensitivity, which may resemble a tension headache;
Severe migraine headaches, often accompanied by nausea, interfere with normal life and ability to work.
Aura, such as visual disturbances, mood changes, neck pain, hunger, loss of appetite, and nausea, occurs in about 25% of patients before a migraine attackWait. The aura lasts from a few minutes to an hour and may persist after the headache begins.
Migraines can occur at any age, but are more common in adolescence and early adulthood.
The good news is that after the age of 50, headaches generally become significantly less severe, if not completely relieved.
Epidemiological data from the 2015 Global Burden of Disease Study show that the prevalence of migraine in women is 2 to 3 times higher than in men, but the prevalence of migraine in both men and women is It peaks between the ages of 30 and 39.
Figure | pixabay
Migraine causes and causes
Familial predisposition: More than half of people with migraine have a close relative who also has a history of migraine.
More common in people with sensitive nervous systems: “Nervous sensitivity” is no joke. In these people, nerve cells in the brain are more likely to be stimulated to produce electrical activity.
Estrogen: When estrogen levels rise or fluctuate, they can cause migraines. The incidence of migraine in adolescent girls is much higher than in boys. Some women experience migraine attacks before, during, and after their menstrual cycle.
Lack of sleep, insomnia.
Climate change: Especially when the air pressure changes (like when it’s going to rain, when it’s cooler and warmer).
Certain foods: such as red wine, cheese, soy products, broad beans, smoked or dried fish, nuts, lunch meat, MSG, caffeine, etc., Migraine headaches may be triggered later.
Hungry: Going without food for several meals in a row.
Excessive sensory stimulation: Such as various lights or strong smells.
Mental stress.
Migraine Treatment
Like tension headaches, if migraine headaches become more severe, persist for 24 hours without relief, wake up in pain at night, or seriously interfere with daily life, seek medical attention.
Figure | pixabay
There is no cure for migraine, but medication can be used to prevent pain attacks, relieve pain, and reduce the number and severity of pain attacks.
1. Non-drug treatments
It’s still the same way, such as removing triggers, behavioral intervention, yoga, music therapy, etc.
2. Medication
If the migraine symptoms are getting worse, take medication to stop the migraine, and take it as soon as you feel the migraine attack.
There are many specific drugs, which should be treated under the guidance of clinicians:
Over-the-counter drugs for the acute phase: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, aspirin, etc.
Serotonin agonist or serotonin: Immediately after a migraine attack, take a triptan or >Detans (eg lamiditan) are effective. They can be administered by mouth or nasal spray or by subcutaneous injection. However, only 1 dose of lamidetan can be used within 24 hours and cannot be overdose.
Monoclonal antibodies: such as eptinezumab, a concentrated solution for injection for migraine in patients with dual diagnosis of migraine and drug overdose headache Headache preventive treatment.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist: Remegepam orally disintegrating tablet is a new type of migraine treatment drug. In addition, erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and ubrogepant have also been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). listed.
Others: such as dihydroergotamine, etc.
Certain antiemetics, such as prochlorperazine or metoclopramide, can be used to relieve mild to moderate migraine headaches. Oral chlorpromazine or suppositories can also be used to prevent migraine when patients cannot tolerate triptans or dihydroergotamine.
If treatment does not reduce the frequency or severity of migraine headaches, take additional daily medication to prevent migraine attacks.
Prophylactic medication can help patients take less pain medication or other anti-migraine medications.
Why use less medication here?
Because overuse of migraine medication can also cause headaches to become significantly more frequent or severe – this is called “medication overuse headache” , is too much. Therefore, migraines are really annoying, and I hope everyone pays attention to the above signs and seeks medical treatment in time.
Of course, how and how much to use depends on the guidance of a professional doctor.
References
[1] Headache: When to worry, what to do. Retrieved April 15, 2020, from https:https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/headache-when- to-worry-what-to-do
[2] Headache Basics. Retrieved September 14, 2020, from https:https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-basics
[3] What Is Migraine? Retrieved July 18, 2020, from https:https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-migraines
Disclaimer: The WuXi AppTec content team focuses on global biomedical health research progress. This article is for information exchange purposes only, and the views expressed in this article do not represent WuXi AppTec’s position, nor do they represent WuXi AppTec’s support or opposition to the views expressed in this article. This article is also not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.