Renee Miles, age 10, of Coward, S.C., for her question:
WHY DO WE GET HEADACHES?
Perhaps the most common complaint of man is caused by an uncomfortable feeling in the head, which we call a headache. A headache is a symptom but not a disease.
A headache is often the body's first warning to us that something is wrong somewhere. The pain we feel actually tells us to slow down and take it easy.
There are many different types of headaches and they have many different causes.
Most parts of the brain do not register pain. The pain from a headache may lie in the tissues and arteries which are outside the skull. Certain intracranial arteries and veins, which are within the skull, may signal pain.
Many disorders in the body can cause the blood vessels to dilate or expand. The increased blood flow then creates pressure within the head, which irritates the pain receptors of the nervous system.
The intensity of the pain from a headache is not always related to the severity of the underlying trouble. A headache due to simple nervous tension may be unbearable, while a headache caused by a grave systemic disorder may be quite mild.
Emotions can produce the tensing of muscles, which in turn can cause the so called tension or muscle contraction headache. This type of headache can usually be relieved by letting go of the anxiety causing the tension. Sedatives or pain relieving drugs are good aids, but doctors suggest that using them shouldn't become a habit.
One of the most common and severe headaches is the migraine. The migraine headache is not completely understood by doctors. It recurs from time to time and the pain is often so severe that the person with the migraine must stay in bed. The attack may last for a few minutes or for several days.
Persons who suffer from migraine often come from families in which other members have also had this type of headache.
About 90 percent of all headaches are migraine or similar vascular headaches.
Fatigue is another great producer of headaches, and allergies are also common causes.
Headaches can also be caused by infection of the nasal, sinus and ear passages. Influenza, bacterial infections and the complications of diabetes can also cause headaches.
Muscle contraction headaches may be the result of a draft, eye strain, prolonged scowling or some other conscious or unconscious facial expression.
Tension and muscle contraction headaches are usually less severe than migraines. They are often relieved by rest and an aspirin tablet.
A migraine headache almost always occurs on one side of the head only. Sometimes the pain may be at various places on this side, even extending down the neck.