Headache is medically known as Cephalalgia is a condition in the presence of pain in the head. Sometimes pain in the back of the neck or upper back, known also as a headache. These diseases included in the complaints disease that is often expressed. One type of headache that too many complaints are headaches or migraines. Attacks of migraine headaches feel more torturous and sometimes come on suddenly. Migraine sufferers will feel the pain and throbbing like a beaten and was pulled and is usually accompanied by gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. Sufferers also tend to be more sensitive to light, sounds and smells. This is certainly very disturbing and can inhibit all activities of the patient.
Migraine or migraine headaches actually have not known exactly why. However, it is estimated this type of headache caused by hyperactivity of the brain's electrical impulses that increase blood flow in the brain resulting in brain blood vessel dilation and inflammation (inflammation of the wound).
Some people often have headaches, while others almost never feel the headache. It is important to know the definite peak headache and learn to handle it, so that pain can be deducted. Chronic headaches and recurrent headaches can be very painful and annoying, but rarely reflect a serious health condition. A change in the pattern or source of headaches (eg, from rare to frequent, light before heavy now) could be a sign of a serious and requires immediate medical action.
The majority of headaches are muscle tension, migraine or headache pain without obvious cause. Many headaches associated with abnormalities in the eyes, nose, throat, teeth and ears. High blood pressure can cause a feeling of throbbing in the head, but high blood pressure rarely causes chronic headaches.
Usually, doctors can determine the cause of the headache of medical history and physical examination results. Sometimes blood tests done to determine the cause. Lumbar function (taking a small amount of fluid from the spinal column to be examined under the microscope) is carried out if the suspected cause is an infection (eg meningitis).
Only a small proportion of headaches caused by brain tumors, brain injury or reduction of oxygen to the brain. If suspected a tumor, stroke or other brain abnormalities, then performed a CT scan or MRI.
Differentiating by Type Headaches or Cause
1. The tension headaches due to muscle tension
Frequent headaches, pain is intermittent, not too heavy and felt in the front and back of the head, or the patient felt overall stiffness. The patient feels like a weight in the head or ribbon around the head. Typically, stress and anxiety associated with this type of headache. A side from pain during the delivery pressure on the muscles in the neck, the other examinations were normal.
2. Migraine
Pain begins in and around the eyes or temples, spread to one or both sides of the head, usually on the head but can be only on one side of the head, throbbing and accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Migraines are usually found among the 5% of the population. Most people get their first attack before age 30 years. These headaches usually applies to the side of the head but often thoroughly, and apply less than once a month.
3. Cluster Headache
Brief attacks (1 hour), and felt great pain on one side of the head, attacks occur periodically within a group (headache-free periods interspersed) and primarily affects men. Accompanied by swelling of the eyes, runny nose & watery eyes on the same side with the pain.
4. High blood pressure (hypertension)
Rarely causes headaches, high blood pressure except in severe because of the tumor in the adrenal gland. Throbbing pain is felt in the head and the back or on top of his head. Diagnostic checks on the blood chemistry analysis and examination of the kidneys.
5. Abnormalities of the eye (iritis, glaucoma)
Pain is felt in the head or in front of and around the eyes, are moderate to severe and often worsens if the eye in a state of fatigue.
6. Abnormalities of sinus
Acute or subacute pain (not chronic), felt in the front of the head, are dull or severe and usually worse in the morning, improves during the day and worse in cold or humid conditions. Diagnostic examinations are conducted sinus X-rays.
7. Brain tumors
Pain is felt new, intermittent, mild to severe, felt at one point or the entire head. Weakness on one side of the body increases, seizures, impaired vision, speech loss, vomiting, mental changes. Diagnostic examinations with MRI or CT Scan.
8. Brain infection (abscess)
Pain is felt new, intermittent, mild to severe, felt at one point or the entire head. Previously the patient had an ear infection, sinus or lung disease or rheumatic heart disease or congenital heart disease. Diagnostic examinations with MRI or CT Scan.
9. Infection of the tissues around the brain (meningitis)
New pain is felt, sedentary, weight and felt across the head, radiating to the neck. The patient looked ill, with fever, vomiting and sore throat or previous experience respiratory infections, the neck is difficult to bend. Diagnostic Examinations carried out on blood examination, lumbar puncture.
10. Subdural hematoma
New pain is felt, intermittent or continuous, are mild to severe, can be felt at one point or across the head, radiating to the neck. Previous injury has occurred, can be accompanied by a reduction of consciousness. Diagnostic examination through MRI or CT Scan.
11. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
New pain is felt, spreads, powerful and persistent, sometimes felt within and around the eyes, eyelids down. Diagnostic examination through MRI or CT scan, if it's negative lumbar puncture performed.
12. Syphilis, Tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, sarcoidosis, cancer
Pain is dull to severe and is felt throughout the head or in puncah head. Fever is not too high and there is a history of syphilis, tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, sarcoidosis or cancer. Diagnostic tests on lumbar puncture.
Changes in lifestyle may relieve or eliminate most of the usual headache.