What do headaches look like

The infection, which can be bacterial or viral, affects the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The swelling of these membranes is what can trigger a headache and stiff neck. You may also have nausea, vomiting or even seizures if you have meningitis. You may be experiencing migraines, or the headaches could be a symptom of another underlying issue such as the ones listed above. Only a doctor can assess the cause, so get help as soon as possible. Previous Next. View Larger Image.

A dysphasic aura is an aura that involves speech and language disturbances. This occurs in about 10 percent of migraine auras. Symptoms can include :. Along with aura, there are many other symptoms that can accompany migraine attacks. These can vary depending on the stage or phase of the migraine, as well as among individuals and for each attack.

The prodrome stage is also called the premonitory phase. It can last a few hours or even several days. Most people living with migraine will have prodrome but perhaps not with every migraine attack. During prodrome, taking any medications, avoiding known triggers, and trying relaxation techniques may help to prevent the headache.

Each person is different, but common prodrome symptoms can include:. Symptoms of aura usually develop over at least 5 minutes and can last up to 1 hour, although in approximately 20 percent of people, the aura can last even longer. Some people experience aura not before the headache phase, but after the headache has started. Symptoms of aura can include :. The headache phase is the one most people probably think of when they think of migraine. This phase is marked by pain on one or both sides of the head.

It can last anywhere from a few hours to up to 3 days. Headaches can vary from person to person and for each individual attack. In addition to the head pain, symptoms can include:.

Approximately 80 percent of people living with migraine experience it. It may not occur with every migraine attack. Preventative therapies including calcium channel blockers, antiepileptic or tricyclic medications. Quitting smoking is recommended and cessation of oral contraceptives may be advised in certain circumstances. Some options for relief without drugs can include resting your eyes, removing yourself from bright sunlight or other harsh lighting, and taking a break from looking at a screen.

As with all types of migraine, try to avoid triggers like stress, dehydration, high altitude, low blood sugar, excessive heat and extensive time spent staring at a screen. While the symptoms can be disorienting and distressing, they are often short-lived, and almost always reversible. Take some time away from triggers and wait for the symptoms to fade. The American Migraine Foundation is committed to providing comfort and information to people living with this disease.

You are not alone: find your support network today. Stooping forward increases the pain. Thick nasal discharge, congestion, and fever pinpoint the problem to the sinuses. When the acute infection resolves, the pain disappears.

Sinusitis is not a common cause of chronic or recurrent headaches. Ice cream headaches. Some people develop sharp, sudden headache pain when they eat anything cold.

The pain is over in less than a minute, even if you keep eating. If you are bothered by ice cream headaches, try eating slowly and warming the cold food at the front of your mouth before you swallow it. Headache from high blood pressure. Except in cases of very high blood pressure, hypertension does not cause headaches. In fact, most people with high blood pressure don't have any symptoms at all, and a study of 51, people reported that hypertension was associated with a reduced incidence of headaches.

But that's no reason to neglect your blood pressure. Hypertension leads to strokes, heart attacks , heart failure , and kidney disease, so all men should have their pressure checked, and then take steps to correct abnormalities. Headache from exercise and sex.

Sudden, strenuous exercise can bring on a headache. Gradual warm-ups or treatment with an anti-inflammatory medication before exercise can help. Sexual intercourse may also trigger headaches; some men note only dull pain, but others suffer from severe attacks called orgasmic headaches.

Modern medicine depends on tests to diagnose many problems. For most headaches, though, a good old-fashioned history and physical will do the job. Still, these tests can be vital in patients with warning signs or other worrisome headaches.

For most of us, an occasional headache is nothing more than a temporary speed bump in the course of a busy day. Even so, most men can ease the problem with simple lifestyle measures and nonprescription medications.

Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga, and acupuncture may also help. But for some of us, headaches are a big problem. Learn to recognize warning signs that call for prompt medical care. Work with your doctor to develop a program to prevent and treat migraines and other serious headaches. And don't fall into the trap of overusing medications; for some gents, rebound headaches are the biggest pain of all.

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