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Other Types Of Headaches: The List Goes On... |
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This should be done under
the supervision of the doctor and if the need be hospitalization may
also become necessary required in certain cases.
Exertional
headaches:
This category comprises of headaches which start
due to intense and strenuous physical activity like weightlifting or
even sexual intercourse. They signal abnormalities in the brain or
other diseases. There is severe pain for a few minutes which is then
replaced by a dull, aching pain which can last for hours
together.
They can occur whenever the
activity is repeated. Life becomes quite difficult because even quite
simple activities like running, coughing, sneezing and even straining
with bowel movements can trigger these headaches.
The tests
that need to be done to confirm this headache include Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) of the
blood vessels in the brain. Hence, any headache following a strenuous
activity should be investigated for the possibility of an exertional
headache.
Giant cell arteritis (GCA)/temporal
arteritis:
This is basically an inflammation of the lining of
the arteries leading to headaches, jaw pain, blurred or double
vision, fever, loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain and then as
the disease progresses, blindness or even stroke.
It usually
affects people older than 50 and those who run a family risk of the
disease, especially North European women. Pneumonia and parvovirus
have also been labeled as precipitating the disease. Those with
arthritis are more at risk for GCA.
It is the arteries
carrying blood which get inflamed and swell and hence lead to GCA.
The pain is most often felt in the temples.
As soon as GCA is
confirmed, regular supervision of the doctor and religious following
of the treatment is necessary in order to prevent the development of
any kind of complications, especially stroke and
blindness.
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