Headaches

Headaches are more common in adults, although they can develop at any time in life.

Headache symptoms usually begin gradually. A sudden onset of a severe headache may indicate a serious problem and requires immediate medical attention. A headache is oftened described as achy, dull or throbbing pain. It most often starts at the base of the skull/upper part of the neck and may radiate into the eye(s), or the temple. Some people may experience a sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, or odd smells and may become nauseated.

What do you do when you suffer from a headache?

A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation gave almost immediate relief for headaches that originated in the neck, as well as longer lasting relief than a commonly prescribed medication.

Ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These headaches are not caused by disease.

To help reduce muscle tension headaches:

Avoid slouching
Avoid reading with your neck bent forward
Keep your computer monitor at eye level
Take frequent breaks from reading and working on the computer
Try a low fat, high-complex carbohydreate diet.

Signs of a serious headache?

You shoud call your doctor and/or seek emergency care if:

You have a stiff neck and a fever along with your headache.
It is painful to bend your head to your chest.
Your speech is slurred.
You have vision changes.
You feel numbness or weakness in your arms or legs.
Your headache lasts longer than 3 days.
You recently injured your head and your headache will not go away.
You often get headaches in the morning.
You have a sudden headache although you normally do not have them.

Other signs of a serious headach include:

The worst headache you have ever had
Worsening or more frequent headaches
Headaches that wake you from sleep
Personality changes with your headache
Early morning vomiting without headache