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Headaches have been around probably the time our ancestors have been around. Then they might not been able to tell why the headache began and how to treat it. But with new technology and medication a headache can be relieved. Not all headaches are chronic or expose a serious condition. Headaches are moderate to severe, and can last from 30 minutes to a day, or a period to 3 days. Some headaches start from the neck and work there way up the head to a sinus headache.

Headaches are diagnosed as such:
. inflammatory
. vascular
. traction
. muscle (tension)

Causes of headaches
A headache can have a number of reasons to annoy you.
. stress
. tobacco
. alcohol
. hormonal change
. poor posture
. fatigue
. smoking
. family history
. muscle tension
. menstrual period
. oral contraceptives
. chocolate
. nuts
. aged cheese
. red wine
. smoked fish
. artificial sweeteners
. weather change
. chemicals
. high blood pressure

There are two migraine headaches: common and classic.

Common Migraine:
A disorder that has a greater occurrence in the population isn't an aura. Someone who experience symptoms before hand has fuzziness, fatigue, mood changes, increase urination, nausea, and vomiting. It can last from 3 to 4 days.

Classic Migraine:
There is a 10 to 30 minute neurological symptoms which is called an aura. Some people may see zig zag lines, temporary vision lose, flashing lights, tingling of hands or face, confusion, weakness of arm or leg.

Migraine triggers:
. change of weather
. fatigue
. stress
. food

Migraine Treatments:
Reduce stress, eliminate certain foods, and drug therapy, exercise can also help to eliminate headache. Cold pack on the forehead can also help and by pressing on the artery found in the front of the ear on the painful side.

Acute Tension Headache
This headache is not associated with disease, but can be treated with analgesics, like aspirin or acetaminophen.

Muscle Tension Headache
This headache is most likely related to stress. It ranges from temporary, mild, to moderate pain. The headache usually disappears once the stress is gone. A hot shower or a heat pad applied to your neck can help alleviate headache. A massage, or exercise of the neck can help, and physical therapy.

Treatment for Muscle Contraction Headache
With this headaceh one can use an anti-inflammatory medicine to relive your headache. People with chronic muscle contraction headaches are recommended to take an anti-depressants or MAO inhibitor.

Vascular headaches are: migraine, and also a cluster headache.

Cluster Headache
This headache causes repeated intense pain. It beings as a minor pain around one eye, then it makes its way through the side of the face, it can last between 30-45 minutes. They are more common in men and is not hereditary. To treat you can use anti-migraine drugs, or an oxygen mask can help reduce blood flow to the brain.

Traction and Inflammation Headaches
These headaches can serve as warning signs of a serious disorder. Some disorders could be: stroke, head trauma, sinus infection, brain tumor, meningitis, trigeminal neuralgia.

When to consult a Physician
. Severe headache
. Headache with fever
. Headache with convulsions
. Headache with confusion or loss of consciousness
. Headache with ear or eye pain
. Headache after trauma
. Headache that reoccurs on a child

Your physician will recommend you to a specialist. He will order any of these procedures to be done to determine the seriousness of the headache:
. CT Scan
. MRI
. X-Ray for Sinuses
. Lumbar puncture
. Temporal Artery Biopsy

References:
http://www.ne tdoctor.co.uk/diseases/headach e.html
http://www.healthlink.mc w. edu.html
http://www.idph.state.il.us/wo menshealth.html

Learn more about this author, Monica F. Bustamante.
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