Dr LeCrone
03-24-2006, 03:04 PM
My head is killing me.
This common statement is universally understood and need no explanation. One has only to watch a few television commercials to realize the vast market and the many different types of chemical potions available for headache sufferers.
Fortunately, most headaches are what physicians call “benign,” and do not result in death. Only a small percent are caused by brain tumors which require major surgery and are often life-threatening. But persistent headaches first of all are a medical problem, and always should be referred to a physician for evaluation and recommendation for treatment.
Most headaches may be classified as:
• Muscle tension;
• Classic migraine or common migraine;
• Cluster;
• Sinus.
All vary in terms of location in the head, intensity and duration of pain.
Probably the most common type of headache is the muscle contraction, sometimes known as the tension headache, which is caused by contraction of the muscles in the head and neck. A steady, dull pain most often is felt on both sides of the head, as well as in the back of the neck or skull, and often is described as a “tight band” around the head. Caused by a combination of physical and emotional events, the pain is real and not imagined.
Vascular headaches, including migraine and cluster headaches, have in common the dilation of blood vessels resulting in pressure on pain receptors in the head. Associated with the circulatory system, the pain often is perceived as throbbing or pulsating, corresponding to the pumping of blood from the heart. Vascular headaches often occur on only one side of the head and may be caused by anything from food allergy to a marked change in the temperature of the mouth. A big bite of ice cream can produce pain.
Many famous individuals in history, such as Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant and Charles Darwin, spent most of their lives with headaches. History records a long and interesting search for headache relief. Early medical notes describe the use of leeches attached to the body, including the head, to induce bleeding. Medicine made in South America stroked the patient with a live toad or hung the head of a dead buzzard over the headache sufferer. Some early physicians made an incision in the scalp and applied various herbs to the wound, hoping to bleed the headache away. Still other physicians went to the source of the problem and simply placed a hot iron to the head. Aztecs of the 16th century probably were the most helpful as they massaged tight muscles in the shoulders and back of the neck.
Today’s pharmaceutical remedies for headaches are numerous. But only a thorough evaluation by your physician can direct you to the best type of treatment. This may include medication, physical therapy, such as traction or massage, or psychotherapy for headaches resulting from stress and other psychological factors, including depression. A change in diet may relieve food allergies which produce headaches, and exercise may relieve tension. Relaxation, biofeedback or hypnosis is helpful in both muscle contraction and vascular type headaches. Dental treatment may be needed for a condition know as TMJ Syndrome resulting from jaw misalignment.
Mental health specialists have found that certain types of personalities are more prone to having headaches than others. These individuals are frequently perfectionist and very self-critical. Frequently they have difficulty in handling anger appropriately, suffer from other physical and psychological problems, such as insomnia, poor self-esteem, and have difficulty handling interpersonal relationships.
In recent years, specialized treatment available through the local medical society and in area hospitals uses a combination of medical and psychological approaches to treat headaches and other types of chronic pain.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984
This common statement is universally understood and need no explanation. One has only to watch a few television commercials to realize the vast market and the many different types of chemical potions available for headache sufferers.
Fortunately, most headaches are what physicians call “benign,” and do not result in death. Only a small percent are caused by brain tumors which require major surgery and are often life-threatening. But persistent headaches first of all are a medical problem, and always should be referred to a physician for evaluation and recommendation for treatment.
Most headaches may be classified as:
• Muscle tension;
• Classic migraine or common migraine;
• Cluster;
• Sinus.
All vary in terms of location in the head, intensity and duration of pain.
Probably the most common type of headache is the muscle contraction, sometimes known as the tension headache, which is caused by contraction of the muscles in the head and neck. A steady, dull pain most often is felt on both sides of the head, as well as in the back of the neck or skull, and often is described as a “tight band” around the head. Caused by a combination of physical and emotional events, the pain is real and not imagined.
Vascular headaches, including migraine and cluster headaches, have in common the dilation of blood vessels resulting in pressure on pain receptors in the head. Associated with the circulatory system, the pain often is perceived as throbbing or pulsating, corresponding to the pumping of blood from the heart. Vascular headaches often occur on only one side of the head and may be caused by anything from food allergy to a marked change in the temperature of the mouth. A big bite of ice cream can produce pain.
Many famous individuals in history, such as Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant and Charles Darwin, spent most of their lives with headaches. History records a long and interesting search for headache relief. Early medical notes describe the use of leeches attached to the body, including the head, to induce bleeding. Medicine made in South America stroked the patient with a live toad or hung the head of a dead buzzard over the headache sufferer. Some early physicians made an incision in the scalp and applied various herbs to the wound, hoping to bleed the headache away. Still other physicians went to the source of the problem and simply placed a hot iron to the head. Aztecs of the 16th century probably were the most helpful as they massaged tight muscles in the shoulders and back of the neck.
Today’s pharmaceutical remedies for headaches are numerous. But only a thorough evaluation by your physician can direct you to the best type of treatment. This may include medication, physical therapy, such as traction or massage, or psychotherapy for headaches resulting from stress and other psychological factors, including depression. A change in diet may relieve food allergies which produce headaches, and exercise may relieve tension. Relaxation, biofeedback or hypnosis is helpful in both muscle contraction and vascular type headaches. Dental treatment may be needed for a condition know as TMJ Syndrome resulting from jaw misalignment.
Mental health specialists have found that certain types of personalities are more prone to having headaches than others. These individuals are frequently perfectionist and very self-critical. Frequently they have difficulty in handling anger appropriately, suffer from other physical and psychological problems, such as insomnia, poor self-esteem, and have difficulty handling interpersonal relationships.
In recent years, specialized treatment available through the local medical society and in area hospitals uses a combination of medical and psychological approaches to treat headaches and other types of chronic pain.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984