Hervey Bay Local Health News

Headaches usually have easily treated causes. Finding the reason for your headaches is important as it could be a symptom of a serious condition. Once the reason for your headache is known, learning how to deal with it can help reduce the frequency of headaches and how painful they are. A doctor or pharmacist can help find the kind of headache you suffer and the best treatments for it.

The four most common types of headache are:

Tension headache - is caused by muscle contractions (spasms) over the neck and scalp, causing pain in these areas. Stress, worry and anxiety, such as pressure at work or a family argument, can cause tension headaches. They often feel like there is a tight band around your head or a weight on top of your head or shoulders.

Migraine - is a severe, recurring headache that may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Often the pain is only felt on one side of the head. They are usually triggered by certain foods or emotions, with some people having warning signs (aura symptoms) up to an hour before the headache starts e.g. flashing lights, tingling or numbness (’pins and needles’) on one side of the body. Often bright lights become very uncomfortable, and any noise causes the headache to become worse.

Cluster headaches - occur in bouts (clusters). The attacks can last for 10 minutes to two hours and may occur again several times in 24 hours. This can happen for weeks or months followed by pain-free periods of months or years. Severe pain occurs behind one eye or on one half of the head, with redness and watering of the eye and blockage of the nostril on that side.

Sinus headache - is caused by increased production of mucus within the sinus, or blockage of the drainage system of the sinus, or both. Pressure builds up within the sinus, causing pain. This pain is felt over the sinus affected area, usually behind and around the eye or over the forehead. Usually only one side is affected. The affected sinus often feels tender and the pain is worse when bending forward or lying down. Sinus headache may be associated with sinus congestion, which may be due to allergy or infection

Trigger factors for headaches
Some people find that certain things start (trigger) their headaches. Triggers are not the same for everyone and they may be different for the same person at different times.

Triggers include:
*    Stress, tension, anxiety
*    Hormone changes e.g. periods, pregnancy, the oral contraceptive pill, and hormone replacement therapy
*   Coffee withdrawal
*   Too much alcohol
*    Fasting, delaying or missing meals
*    Bright or flickering lights
*   Strong smells or fumes
*    Some medicines (ask your pharmacist).

Self care
*    Try to find out what triggers your headaches and avoid them if possible.
*    Keep a simple daily record of your headaches and activities to help find your trigger factors.
*    Plan ahead - rearrange activities to remove stress - let others help
*    Learn to relax
*    Exercise regularly 
*    Get plenty of sleep 
*    Eat a well-balanced nutritious diet (see Nutrition Fact Cards)
*   Wear sunglasses to reduce glare
*   Drink plenty of water before going to bed if you have had too much alcohol.
*    Take regular breaks if you work in the same position all day Make sure you have good posture.

Medicines
Simple pain relievers can help e.g. paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen - ask your pharmacist.
*    For sinus headache - apply a warm, damp cloth over the sinus area, use an inhalation or a decongestant medicine (ask your pharmacist).
*   A doctor may prescribe other medicines for severe headaches or migraines.
*   Take the right dose of medicine at the right time. Your doctor and pharmacist will advise on how much and when.

Important
See a doctor if your headache:
*    Does not ease with over-the-counter pain relievers within a day
*    Is severe and lasts more than four hours
*    Starts after exercise, sex, straining or coughing
*    Disturbs sleep or is present immediately on waking
*    Is worse in the morning then improves
*    Occurs while you are on the oral contraceptive pill
*    Is sudden, severe or is a new type of headache
*    Occurs after a head injury or an accident
*    Onset age is 55 years or older
*    Is associated with:
-    Disturbances in your sight, loss of balance or are vomiting
-    Any neck stiffness
-    Drowsiness, confusion or poor memory
-    Fever, joint and muscle pains.

Headaches in children are unusual and the child should be seen by a doctor, especially if they are frequent or last for more than a few minutes.

Contact:
A doctor - listed under medical practitioners in the yellow pages of the phone book.
A Self Care pharmacist - to find: (02) 6283 4777

In case of poisoning, phone the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacists are medicines experts. Ask a pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine.