Migraine
I am a 62-year-old man. I have been suffering from headaches for the past 30 years. The headaches normally occur in the afternoons or evenings. I also suffer from headaches after attending a picnic, festival or while travelling by train. The pain is generally on one side and doesn’t last for more than two days. I have undergone several treatments, but to no avail. What is the reason behind my headaches? Please suggest a permanent solution.
You are most probably suffering from migraine. It’s quite prevalent in this country and the incidence is higher among women during their reproductive years. Sleeplessness, fasting, certain foods like chocolates, etc can trigger this problem. Some environmental conditions like high altitudes, excessive heat or cold and seasonal changes can also cause migraine. In women, some hormones may cause migraine during menstruation. You may need to undergo certain investigations like CT Scan, MRI, and EEG and lumber puncture if the migraine is suspected to be caused by brain tumour, brain infection or haemorrhage. It’s important to first nail the cause of migraine and then treat it accordingly. Doctors prescribe drugs like flunarizine, propanolol, valproic acid for about six months to prevent migraine. But when a patient comes after an attack, they are treated with ergotamine , aspirin, paracetamol, etc. Please consult a neurologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
daily aches
I am a 29-year-old woman. I have been suffering from daily headaches for the past two years. The headaches are not very severe. But occasionally I feel a tightening sensation followed by aches. I don’t have any associated problem like nausea or vomiting. Please advise.
Your symptoms indicate that you are suffering from tension-type headaches. This is the commonest form of headache and 80 to 90 per cent of cases of headache come under its purview. Anxiety, overwork or tensions in the scalp muscles may cause this ailment. A doctor has to find the actual cause before advising a treatment. Doctors prescribe anxiolytic drugs and tranquillisers to reduce aches. You are advised to take care of your mental as well as physical hygiene by leading a balanced life, regulating your food habits, exercising regularly, and by having a philosophical attitude towards life, if possible. If necessary, contact a neurologist for proper medication.
sinusitis
I frequently suffer from headaches. The pain is often located in the forehead or in the cheeks and is associated with nasal congestion. Is there a remedy to my ailment?
Your headaches may be due to common cold, sinusitis or any kind of nasal allergy. But most probably, they are due to sinusitis. This kind of headache is often over diagnosed. After proper diagnosis, doctors prescribe antibiotics to control infection and anti-allergic drugs and decongestants (nasal drops) to reduce congestion. For proper diagnosis and medication contact a neurologist.
brain tumour
I (40) have been suffering from headaches, mostly during nights or in the mornings, for the past one-month. The headaches are not very severe, but are often associated with vomiting and convulsions. Sometimes I also suffer from unclear vision. What should I do now?
You are probably suffering from a brain tumour. But to be very sure, it requires certain investigations like MRI, CT Scan, EEG, etc. Brain tumour is a space-occupying condition that leads to compression of normal structures of the skull. Tumour-causing pressure on nerves could be another cause of headaches. Removal of tumour is the only solution. If it’s benign in nature, complete removal will solve the problem permanently. But if it is cancerous, there is chance of recurrence even if the complete removal is done. In that case, the tumour is treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc. You must contact a senior neurologist immediately.
YOUR HEALTH
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