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The Complete Headache Chart

Type Symptoms Precipitating Factors Treatment Prevention Alcohol, which causes Liquids (including broth). ‐like symptoms of dilation and irritation Consumption of fructose Drink alcohol only in throbbing and nausea of the blood vessels of Headaches (honey, tomato juice are good moderation. not localized to one side. the brain and sources) to help alcohol. surrounding tissue. Throbbing headache caused by rebound dilation of the ‐ In extreme cases, treat by blood vessels, occurring Avoiding excess use of Withdrawal Caffeine. terminating caffeine multiple days after caffeine. Headaches consumption. consumption of large quantities of caffeine. Cause must be accurately Generalized head pain of determined. Most commonly short duration (minutes to 1 10% caused by organic treated with , hour) during or following diseases (, indomethacin, or . Alternative forms of physical exertion (running, tumors, or bloodvessel Exertion Headaches Extensive testing is necessary to exercise. Avoid jarring jumping, or sexual malformation). 90% determine the headache cause. exercises. intercourse), or passive are related to migraine to correct organic exertion (sneezing, coughing, or cluster headaches. disease is occasionally moving one's bowels, etc.). indicated. Localized or generalized pain, can mimic migraine or Pain can occur after tension‐type headache relatively minor Possible treatment by use of Post‐Traumatic Standard precautions symptoms. Headaches traumas. Cause of pain antiinflammatory drugs, Headaches against trauma. usually occur on daily basis is often difficult to propranolol, or . and are frequently resistant diagnose. to treatment. Pain strikes just before mealtime. Caused by muscle Regular, nourishing meals tension, low blood sugar, and Strenuous dieting or Hunger Headaches containing adequate protein Same as treatment. rebound dilation of the blood skipping meals. and complex . vessels, oversleeping or missing a meal. A muscle‐contraction type of pain, sometimes Caused by Temporomandibul Relaxation, biofeedback, use of accompanied by a painful malocclusion (poor ar Joint (TMJ) bite plate. In extreme cases, Same as treatment. "clicking" sound on opening bite), stress, and jaw Headaches correction of malocclusion. the jaw. Infrequent cause of clenching. headache. Short, jab like pain in trigger areas found in the Cause unknown. Pain around the mouth or jaw. from chewing, cold air, Tic Douloureux Frequency and longevity of touching face. If under Anticonvulsants and muscle None. Headaches pain varies. Relatively rare age 55, may result relaxants. Neurosurgery. disease of the neural from neurological impulses; more common in disease, such as MS. women after age 55. Generalized head pain that develops with . Caused Aspirin, acetaminophen, Fever Headaches Caused by . None. by swelling of the blood NSAIDs, antibiotics. vessels of the head. Pain at the back of head or . Intensifies on movement. Caused by Cause of pain is Anti‐inflammatory drugs, Arthritis Headaches of the blood None. unknown. muscle relaxants. vessels of the head or bony changes in the structures of the neck. Usually frontal, bilateral pain, Muscle imbalance. Eyestrain directly related to eyestrain. Uncorrected vision, Correction of vision. Same as treatment. Headaches Rare cause of headache. . A boring, burning, or jabbing pain caused by inflammation of the temporal arteries. Cause is unknown. May Steroids after diagnosis. Temporal Pain, often around ear, on be due to immune None. Confirmed by biopsy. chewing. Weight loss, disorder. eyesight problems. Rarely affects people under 50. Pain progressively worsens, projectile , possible visual disturbances speech or If discovered early, treat with personality changes; Cause of tumor is Tumor Headache surgery or newer radiological None. problems with equilibrium, usually unknown. methods. gait, or coordination; . Extremely rare condition. Rest, aspirin, acetaminophen, , sodium, Dull, non‐throbbing pain, combinations of with Avoidance of stress. Use frequently bilateral, caffeine, ice packs, muscle of biofeedback, Tension‐Type Emotional stress. associated with tightness of relaxants. if relaxation techniques or Headaches Hidden . scalp or neck. Degree of appropriate, biofeedback, severity remains constant. psychotherapy. If necessary, medication. temporary use of stronger prescription analgesics. Certain foods, the Pill Ice packs; isometheptene Biofeedback, or menopausal mucate, combination products betablockers hormones, excessive containing caffeine, ergotamine, (propranolol, timolol), Severe, one‐sided throbbing hunger, changes in DHE injectable and , anti‐convulsant Migraine without pain, often accompanied by altitude, weather, 5‐HT agonists; analgesics or (divalproex sodium). nausea, vomiting, cold hands, lights, excessive medications, which constrict Calcium blockers and sensitivity to sound and light. smoking, and the blood vessels. For NSAIDs may prevent or emotional stress. prolonged attacks steroids may treat migraine Hereditary component. be helpful. headaches. Similar to migraine without aura, except warning At earliest onset of symptoms, symptoms develop. May treat using biofeedback, Prevent with same include visual disturbances, Same as migraine ergotamine, dihydroergotamine Migraine with Aura techniques as migraine numbness in arm or leg. without aura. or a 5‐HT agonist. Once pain has without aura. Warning symptoms subside begun, treatment is identical to within one‐half hour, migraine without aura. followed by severe pain. Excruciating pain in vicinity of eye. Tearing of eye, nose congestion, of face. Pain frequently develops Oxygen, ergotamine, Use of steroids, during and may last for Alcoholic beverages, sumatriptan or intranasal ergotamine, calcium Cluster Headaches several hours. Attacks occur excessive smoking. application of local anesthetic channel blockers and every day for weeks/month, agent. . then disappear for up to a year. 80% of cluster patients are male, most ages 20‐50. Small doses of vasoconstrictors and/or Migraine‐type pain that anti‐inflammatory drugs occurs shortly before, during, before and during Menstrual Variances in or immediately after Same treatment as migraine. menstrual period may Headaches levels. menstruation or at mid‐cycle prevent headaches. (at time of ovulation). Hysterectomy does not cure menstrual headaches. Generalized or "hairband" Severe : Hypertension type pain, most severe in the Treat with appropriate blood To prevent, keep blood over 200 systolic and Headaches morning. Diminishes pressure medication. pressure under control. 110 diastolic. throughout day. Symptoms may mimic frequent migraine or cluster headaches, caused by balloon‐like or bulge in blood‐vessel wall. Congenital tendency. If is discovered early, To prevent, keep blood Aneurysm May rupture () or allow Extreme hypertension. treat with surgery. pressure under control. blood to leak slowly resulting in a sudden, unbearable headache, double vision, rigid neck. Individual rapidly becomes unconscious. Gnawing pain over nasal area, often increasing in severity throughout day. Caused by acute infection, Infection, nasal polyps, usually with fever, producing anatomical Treat with antibiotics, blockage of sinus ducts and Sinus Headaches deformities, such as a decongestants, surgical None. preventing normal drainage. deviated septum, that drainage if necessary. Sinus headaches are rare. block the sinus ducts. Migraine and cluster headaches are often misdiagnosed as sinus in origin. Seasonal , Antihistamine medication; Generalized headache. Nasal such as pollen, molds. topical, nasal cortisone related Allergy Headaches None. congestion, watery eyes. Allergies to food are sprays or desensitization not usually a factor. injections.

Source: http://www.headaches.org/press/NHF_Press_Kits/Press_Kits_‐_The_Complete_Headache_Chart