Headache Info

  • Headache (pain in the head) is felt and perceived by the sensory nerve endings supplying the skin of the head, neck and face. The distribution of the pain in that area depends on which nerve endings are involved.
  • These external nerve endings are triggered by disturbing happenings at their deeper roots; and hence the messages of pain travel to the skin surface where they are felt. These triggering happenings can be a change in the normal state or functions in the tissues these nerve roots supply.
  • In the case of recent headaches, a good example would be:
    Bleeding in the brain; stimulation the coverings of the brain as in subdural haematoma (pain in the back of the head up to three months after a fall). The pain on the skin of the back of the head and neck was carried by the nerves to the surface.
  • In the case of chronic recurrent headaches, a good example would be:
    Swelling of the linings of the nose after eating a certain food or smelling a certain smell. Depending on which particular area of the nasal lining the nerve is supplying; its connection to the surface skin of the head & neck will hurt. Swelling of the inferior turbinate in the nose and the maxillary sinuses notoriously give pain in the back of the neck. This is often mistaken for tension or spinal disc disease.

The brain itself is insensitive to pain. Over the years, headaches have been given many names like Cluster headaches, Migraine headaches, everyday headaches, headaches of relaxation, headaches of physical exertion, tension headaches, menstrual headaches, etc..

It is not uncommon for someone to experience a combination of these headaches. In fact, some experts believe that all headaches are derived from the same mechanisms that cause migraine, and they are simply variations on a single biologic theme.

The word migraine is derived from the Greek word hemikrania, meaning "half of the head". In general, there are four phases to a migraine.

Vague premonitory symptoms (called the prodrome phase) may precede a migraine attack by several hours, or even a day or two. Such prodrome symptoms can include sensitivity to light or sound, changes in appetite, fatigue, malaise, and mood changes.

About 20% of migraine sufferers have preheadache sensory disturbances called auras. Migraine headaches with auras are termed classic migraines; migraines without auras are called common migraines.

A person may experience one or the other at different times. Typical auras include visual disturbances such as the appearance of zigzag lines, stars or shimmering areas, blind spots, and tunnel vision (inability to see to the side).

Speech disturbances, tingling or numbness, weakness in an arm or leg, perceptual disturbances such as space or size distortions, and confusion may also occur, though these symptoms are less common.

Migraine auras last between 15 and 45 minutes. A type of migraine known as ocular migraine is painless and produces only auras or other visual symptoms.

A typical migraine attack produces throbbing pain on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, sometimes with vomiting; visual symptoms are common, and facial tingling or numbness may occur. If untreated, attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours. Pain sometimes spreads to affect the entire head and is worsened by physical activity.

Extreme sensitivity to light and noise are common, and patients may feel cold and look pale.

After a migraine attack, there is usually a postdrome phase, in which patients may feel exhausted and mentally foggy for a while. Although half of women with migraines report they are related to menstruation, experts believe that true menstrual migraines are less common than thought.

Such migraines are without auras and defined as those that regularly occur during the first three days of menstruation, but not during ovulation or right before a period. The study found no association between menstruation and migraines with auras.

Children may have a form of migraine known as a migraine equivalent or abdominal migraine, which does not cause a headache at all. Instead children experience periodic bouts of nausea and vomiting (called cyclic vomiting syndrome) or other secondary symptoms found in adult migraine, such as a reaction against light or sound.

At the Headache-Migrane Clinic we treat all chronic and recurrent headaches.

Duration of time you have suffered from headaches is of great importance for their complete treatment and you safety.

Nasal obstruction intermittent but progressive that will lead to snoring and sleep apnea which will progress to weight gain and impotence.

These recurrent headaches could have started recently (i.e. a few months) or they may have been recurring for longer, up to thirty or forty years.

The lines of investigation and treatment of the above groups is different. Do not be misled by the names: migraines, cluster, tension, everyday headache, menstrual and headaches caused by physical exertion like exercise or sex.

We aggressively search for the causes and the triggers and eliminate them where possible or overcome the mechanism triggering the headache. Our success is extremely high. Do not delay coming. You do not have to suffer and waste precious time of your life. Join the many thousands that have been treated in our clinic.

For the guidance of the sufferers of chronic recurrent headaches, we want you to be assured that we are aware of other problems you may be suffering from. ALL COME AND GO JUST LIKE YOUR HEADACHES.

  1. Light headedness or vertigo.
  2. Gastrointestinal symptoms like heart burn, unexplained diarrhea or constipation. May be collicy indigestion. Over time, this may lead to irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colites.
  3. Fluctuating, blurred vision.
  4. Noises, ringing or pulsating sounds in your ears. A feeling of pressure in your ears.
  5. Swelling and water retention.
  6. Sleep disorders. Some have excessive sleepiness while others may have insomnia.
  7. Tiredness or chronic fatigue.
  8. Depression, mental confusion or forgetfulness.
  9. Tight chest or asthma.
  10. Itchy rashes.

Any and all of the above symptoms will be treated along with your headache treatment.

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