Headache

Heading off Headaches

Introduction

A painful sensation in any part of the head, ranging from sharp to dull, that may occur with other symptoms.

Headache is defined as pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. The pain originates from the tissues and structures that surround the skull or the brain because the brain itself has no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain (pain fibers).

Includes diseases: Migraine. 

A headache can be serious if:

• The child has persistent headache without any obvious cause or following a head injury.
• The headache is associated with persistent vomiting, squinting , loss of balance or disturbed consciousness.
• Te headache is followed by convulsions or by loss of consciousness.
• The headache is severe at the onset.
• The child has headache whose character and frequency have changed.

Causes

Headaches can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include lack of sleep, an incorrect eyeglass prescription, stress, loud noise exposure or tight head wear.

Common Causes

• Constipation
• High blood pressure can cause headache.
• Common infections

Viral or bacterial infections can cause a headache. Usually, the child also has fever and body ache. Paracetamol relieves this type of headache for a couple of hours till the child recovers from the infection. The child is otherwise alert. He may be an obvious case of a viral cold with running nose or a bacterial infection.

• Psychogenic Factors and Fatigue.

School going children under undue stress, sleep deprivation and emotional disturbances can have frequent headaches.

• Eyestrain

A child complaining of headache towards the end of the day may need to get his eyes examined.

• Sinus Infection / Nasal congestion

In persistent infection of sinus(hollow present in our bones nearer the nose), the headache is typically noticed on waking up.

• Salt is a cause of headache, insomnia, sinuses,epilepsy, rheumatoid, arthritis and even cancer.

• Physical or emotional stress
• Fever For temporary headaches associated with fever, Paracetamol and treatment of the infections with suitable drugs, if required, should be enough.
• Exposure to cold atmosphere
• Post-partam Headache : Its a headache after delivery.
• Lack of sodium may cause headache.
• Excess Sugar : All the experts in nutrition denounce the use of sugar and slats in excess. Food containing a lot of sugar like chocolate, peppermint, chewing gums, jams, jellies, sweets, canned fruits and syrups are taken in excess causes migraine and skin diseases occur.

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• Watching T.V continuously without break

• Migraine

Repetitive stereotype headache are usually not due to serious causes like a brain tumor. On such example of a relatively benign condition is migraine. 

If there is a history of migraine in the family than this possibility should be considered in a child too. While adults often have an headache that affects one half of the head. Children may complain of a generalized headache in migraine.

A few precipitating factors are stress, bright sunlight,cheese,chocolates, chilled food, cold drinks, ice cream and nuts. The attacks of headaches are often associated with nausea and vomiting.The child is perfectly alright between attacks.

Migraine aura (which proceeds an attack of migraine) without headache has also been found in some children. In this condition child has distortion of visual image, frequently consist of things looking smarter than they are (micropsia), or seen bright lights or the appearance of distortion of body image(the Alice in wonderland syndrome) A positive personal history  or a family history of classical migraine in such cases may clinch the diagnosis. 

Exercise has been found to help fight migraine by improving blood flow to the brain, by boosting blood levels of brain chemicals that suppress pain, and by conferring a general feeling of relaxation and well being. However sudden and vigorous exercise should be avoided. It may actually trigger or aggravate an attack.

Phlegmatic Headache

Due to excess accumulation of phelgm  in the meninges or layers of the brain, there occurs a severe headache.. In this type of headache, the patient suffers from : severe headache with  nasal block, watering of the eyes,, continuous sneezing and earache. Due to this person becomes restless and cannot withstand the severe headache and at times cannot even carry out his daily routine activities.

• Local Application is good i.e. Tiger balm. It act as a effective pain reliever.
• Combination of camphor,menthol,thymol and wax.
• Or camphor,ajwain and mint.Mix all three ingredient in stoppered glass bottle and shake vigorously till all of them liquefy. Mix this liquefied content with wax and apply as a pain  balm over fore head and the temples. The above mixture can also be added to boiling hot water and the vapors inhaled.. These vapors provide good relief by  dissolving accumulated phelgm from the meninges of the brain.
• Zulal :  
  Black pepper 2 tsf
  Common salt 1/2 tsf
  Dry Ginger 1 tsf
  Water 1 cup
  Powdered black pepper and dried ginger mixed with salt are added in water and after 10 minutes, give to patient to sip it slowly. The preparation enables a person in providing him some relief from his nagging headache.

• Tension Headaches and Migraines : Try lying in a dark, quiet room with  your eyes closed. If you're at work, even a few minutes with your feet up and eyes closed might help you. or put an ice pack or cold compress on the back of your neck for 20 minutes while you relax..
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• Head Injury

A persistent headache following an head injury should not be injured. Most vomiting after mild head injury is said to be related to migraine, but a persistent headache or vomiting could be  related directly  to the head injury.

• Meningitis

Fever or fixed gaze, or disturbed consciousness should raise the possibility  of a diagnosis of meningitis. 

• Brain Tumor

A persistent headache , lasting day and night, could be due to brain tumor. Associated features like persistent vomiting, squint, loss of balance, convulsions and disturbed consciousness add to the suspicion of a brain tumor or any other space occupying lesion in the brain. Headache due to migraine may proceed by blurring of vision followed by vomiting. This should not be constructed as suggestive of a brain tumor.

• High Blood Pressure 

This is rare but can be cause of headache.

Treatment : In routine cases of headache, take the child in a lap and press his head gently. If he does not object, apply a little balm on his temples. Paracetamol may also be given. Ibuprofen has been found to be more effective than paracetamol in headaches due to migraine.

• Attend to any Emotional Factors.
• Tension is a headache trigger.

• Drop in blood sugar
• Loss of Sleep : Check the hour of sleep if it is deprived.
• Corona
• Constipation
• Hunger Make sure person has food at regular intervals. Hunger can add to the problem.
• Allergy Headache

• Ice Cream Headache : Extremely cold food like ice cream or cold drink.
• Pregnancy headaches due to hormones : Expectant moms have stuffy nose
• Fatigue is a headache trigger
• Over heating may cause headache

Symptoms

While the older child will be able to tell you he has a headache, smaller ones may be fretful or bang their heads persistently. However occasional banging of the head in a toddler is often behavior related.

Treatment

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Relieved by

Fluid

Rest

Relaxation

analgesics :

An analgesic or painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve analgesia, relief from pain. Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems

anti inflammatory medication :

Pain killers which are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) works on the patho-physiological processes that elicit pain, fever and other signs of swelling in the body. Corticosteroids pain reliever are usually given for the management of musculoskeletal injuries due to its effect on shutting down inflammation causing processes.

cOMBIFLAME FOR INJURIES

ANTIBIOTIC +ANTIVIRAL FOR INFECTION

PREVENT EYE STRAINS BY RESTRICTING EXPOSURE T0 SCREEN.

NATURAL HEADACHE  REMEDIES

ACUPRESSURE Point

Apana Mudra

• Migraine will be cured with Apana Mudra and Jnana Mudra each for half an hour. 
• Apana Vayu Mudra
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This mudra can save a person from 'heart attack', hence a mudra is called Sanjeevani Mudra, one that gives life to a dying person. This mudra gives instant results and the pain is reduced immediately.
  Formation :
  This is combination of two Mudras Vayu and Apana. From Vayu mudra by placing the tip of index finger at the base of the thumb and then form Apana Mudra by joining tip of the thumbs with the middle and ring fingers.
  Effects :
  There is combined effect of Vayu mudra and Apana Mudra. Vayu mudra relieves the pain instantly and Apana mudra maintains space to reinforce blood circulation to the heart. 
  Benefits: 
  • Headache due to lack of sleep , mental worries, over exertion and problems of blood circulation are relieved.
  • Beneficial in curing acidity.
  • Migraine headache get relieved.

  Perform Apana Vayu Mudra-

  1. When there is sleeplessness.
  2. When there is over exertion.
  3. When there is stress.
  4. When climbing staircases and hills.
  5. When there is crises.
     

Jnana Mudra

Namaste - Symbol of Indian Culture or Anjali Mudra

The gesture of 'Namaste' is essentially Indian. It is a symbol of greeting from ancient times.. The literal meaning of Namaste is 'Namah-bow 'te-to you'- I bow to you. Namaste represents the belief that  there is divine spark within each of us  that is located at the heart chakra.. This salutation is the essence of our culture of seeing the divine within all the creation. Hence this gesture is offered equally in temples to deities, teachers, family, friends, strangers and even before sacred rivers and trees.

Formation : 

To perform Namaste we join the hands together and place at the heart chakra., close the eyes and bend the head. Namaste can also can be done by  placing the hands together in  front of the third eye between the brows, bowing the head and then bringing the hands down to the heart.This is the deep form of respect. Namaste needs no occasion It can be performed anywhere any time and at any place. This gesture is used prominently in worship.

Effect :

Namaste is a Mudra that is rich in flavor, meaning and substance. The electromagnetic power flowing from one hand to other is felts strongly. One feels strong in body and mind. As we bring our hands together at the center, we are literally connecting the right and left hemispheres of our brain. This is the yogic posture of unification. The Namaste brings the right and left side , masculine and feminine, logic and intuition, strength and tenderness together as a whole.

Benefits : We feel strong in the body and mind as this mudra  removes fear and headache, even flexibility in fingers is improved. 

Treatment

Acupuncture

Biofeedback

Massage

For Sinus Headache

Steam inhalation, running a cool mist humidifier, drinking plenty of fluids and irrigating your nasal passage regularly with saline spray or rinses. To ease the pain apply hot and cold compresses to the achy spots (often right above or around the eyes, cheeks ad forehead), alternating 30 seconds of each for a total of 10 minutes, 4 times a day. If you run a fever and or pain continues see for sinus infection common during pregnancy may be causing your headache.

For all headaches

The bad news, Ibuprofen is pretty much of limits when you are expecting. Now the good news you can find relief in acetaminophen (Tylenol) which is considered safe for  occasional use during pregnancy. Never take any pain medication, over the counter prescription or herbal without consulting your gyn ecologist.

Migraine

Common in pregnancy. Avoid the triggers, stress is the common one, as are chocolates, cheese and coffee. Splashing your face with cold water or applying cold cloth or ice pack. Lying down in a darkened quiet room for 2-3 hours, eyes covered (napping, meditating or listening to music). Biofeedback or acupuncture may help.

Pregnancy Headaches

Relax

Pregnancy can be a time of anxiety, and lot of tension headache. Reduce your stress level, and you may reduce your headaches. Try meditation or pre-natal yoga to find your inner calm.

Get enough rest

Pregnancy can also be a time  of extreame fatigue, particularly in the last and first trimesters. Make  a conscious effort to get more rest can help keep headaches at a minimum. But be careful not to over do it.. Too much sleep  can also give headache.

Seek some peace and quiet

Noise can give you headache, especially if you are extra sound sensitive, while many pregnant women are. Make it a point to avoid noisy locales (the mall, loud parties, restaurants with bad acoustics). If your job is extra noisy, talk to your boss about  taking steps to reduce the extra noise, or even ask for a transfer to a quieter area, if possible. At home, keep TV and music volumes low (keep it down in your car too,)

Eat regularly

To avoid hunger headaches triggered by low blood sugar be sure not to run on empty. Carry high energy snacks (such as lentil, chips, nuts, dried fruit) with you in your bag, keep them in the glove compartment of your car too, and in the office desk drawer, and always keep a supply on hand at home.

Don't get stuffy

An over heated room or unventilated space can give anyone headache, but especially an expected mom, who is overheated to start with. So try not to get stuffy, but when you can't avoid it, step out for a stroll and a breath of  fresh air when you can. Dress in layers when you know you are  going somewhere stuffy . Step out for a stroll and breath of a fresh air when you can. dress in layers when you know you are going somewhere stuffy and keep comfortable. and hopefully headache free, by removing layers as needed. Struck inside try to crack window at least.

 

Make a light switch

Take the time to examine your surroundings particularly the lightening around you in a whole new well light. Some women find that a windowless workplace lit by florescent, bulbs can trigger headaches. Switching to CFL or LED lightening and or a room with windows may help, though unless you are  the boss. ( or IN charge of office décor.) Its probably not going to happen. If you are struck under the florescent glow, take outdoor breaks, when you can. Take break from your laptop, desktop or tablet too, since too much screen time can be a portal too headaches.

Straighten up

Slouching while at  the computer or, scour baby gear sites or do other close work for  long stretches of time can also trigger an aching head. so watch your posture.. looking down to swipe on your tablet

Acupuncture Point

Headache

Press the tip of the thumb.

Headache Press the tip of the thumb

For Constipation take 1 t.s.f Triphala at night with warm water.

Drink 3 glasses of water  in the morning.

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