|
Other Types Of Headaches: The List Goes On... |
|
|
|
Page 3 of 3
Occipital
Neuralgia:
The pain originating at the nape of the neck due to
irritation of the occipital nerve is classified as occipital
neuralgia. It may result from physical stress, trauma or repeated
contractions of the muscles of the neck.
Massage and rest are found to be useful but in severe pain,
antidepressants, nerve blockers and local steroid injections may be
prescribed.
Sexual Benign Headaches:
These headaches
are related to sexual activity especially orgasm. These can be
further divided into two types of headache.
The first type is
the benign orgasmic headache which results due to the sexual
excitement leading to contraction of muscles in the head and the neck
thus leading to headache. It is more common in men and usually
affects migraine sufferers.
The second type is the vascular
headache occurring just before the orgasm, hence also referred to as
an orgasmic headache. The pain can be either around or behind the
eyes and is made worse by movement. The pain occurs as a response to
increase in the blood pressure. This headache should be investigated
at the earliest because it could be a sign of a brain hemorrhage,
stroke or tumor. If
accompanied by a stiff neck, it
could indicate bleeding into the spinal fluid.
Thunderclap
headachs:
Thunderclap headache is a sudden, intense headache
that mimics a thunderclap in its intensity, hence the name. The pain
shoots up suddenly and immediate referral to the doctor is necessary.
This is because it may be the sign of an impending rupture of an
aneurysm or a weak blood vessel. Although all doctors do not agree
with it, but still prompt medical attention is necessary in this
condition.
Trigeminal neuralgia/ tic douloureux/ suicide
disease:
One of the most excruciating types of headache known
in the annals of medical history is Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). This
is a disease of the fifth and the largest cranial nerve - the
trigeminal nerve. It is an intense, jabbing and striking type of pain
felt around the eyes, nose, lips and ears. Although the condition
affects those over 50, it has also been reported in infants and
children as well.
Simple acts like brushing the teeth, putting
on makeup, chewing, laughing, talking or even a slight breeze can
trigger a very painful attack of TNT.
Treatment is given in
the form of anticonvulsant drugs. Neurological surgery may also be
prescribed. Other treatments which have shown to work are
acupuncture, self-hypnosis, chiropractic and meditation.
|
