Headache

Hot glam look is what everyone is aspiring for, we see all advertisements of skin & scar lightening creams. There is an excessive usage of cosmetics to lighten face & also getting rid of dark spots and acne. But to our information all these creams and makeup has toxic mercury as content which gives this magical results.

A latest clinical finding reveals the facts about various hazardous consequences of mercury used in cosmetic products. As mercury is added mainly for skin bleaching. There is Local application and inhalation of this harmful metal.

Results observed  in this study is  that Use of metallic skin creams can lead to number of health problems, headaches, fatigue, hand tremors & depression.

Overindulgence of such products showed increased incidence of headache in trial. So need to understand 

What is headache?  

Headache is simply pain in any region of the head. Pain may occur on one side or both the sides of head, it may be radiating. Headaches may appear gradually or suddenly, and they may last less than an hour or for several days.

Types of headache: Different factors play a giant role in this symptoms which can be classified as

Primary headaches            

1. Cluster headache
2. Migraine (with and without aura)
3. Tension headache (medically known as tension-type headache)
4. Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), including cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicranias

Secondary headaches

1.  External compression headaches (a result of pressure-causing headgear)
2. Ice cream headaches (commonly called brain freeze)
3. Rebound headaches (caused by overuse of pain medication)
4. Sinus headache (caused by inflammation and congestion in sinus cavities)
5. Spinal headaches (caused by low levels of cerebrospinal fluid, possibly the result of trauma, spinal tap or spinal anesthesia)
6. Thunderclap headaches (a group of disorders that involves sudden, severe headaches)

Signs and symptoms:

Tension headache

The most common type of headache is likely caused by tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw.

• It may be related to stress, depression, anxiety, a head injury, or holding your head and neck in an abnormal position.
• It tends to be on both sides of your head. It often starts at the back of the head and spreads forward. The pain may feel dull or squeezing, like a tight band or vice. Your shoulders, neck, or jaw may feel tight or sore.

Migraine

Headache involves severe pain. It usually occurs with other symptoms, such as vision changes, sensitivity to sound or light, or nausea. With a migraine:

• The pain may be throbbing, pounding, or pulsating. It tends to begin on one side of your head. It may spread to both sides.
• You may have an aura. This is a group of warning symptoms that start before your headache. The pain usually gets worse as you try to move around.
• Migraines may be triggered by foods such as chocolate, certain cheeses, or monosodiumglutamate (MSG). Caffeine withdrawal, lack of sleep, and alcohol may also be triggers.

Rebound headaches

Are the headaches that keep coming back. They often occur from overuse of pain medicines. For this reason, these headaches are also called medication overuse headaches. Persons who take pain medicine more than 3 days a week on a regular basis can develop this type of headache.

Cluster headache

It’s a sharp, very painful headache that occurs up to several times a day for months. It then goes away for a similar period of time. The headache usually lasts less than an hour. It tends to occur at the same times every day.

Sinus headache

Causes pain in the front of the head and face. It is due to swelling in the sinus passages behind the cheeks, nose, and eyes. The pain is worse when you bend forward and when you first wake up in the morning.

• Headaches may occur if you have a cold, the flu, a fever, or premenstrual syndrome Headache due to a disorder called temporal arteries this is a swollen, inflamed artery that supplies blood to part of the head, temple, and neck area.

In severe cases:

1.  Blood pressure that is very high
2. Brain infection such as meningitis or encephalitis or abscess.
3. Brain tumor
4. Hydrocephalus
5. Carbon monoxide poisoning 
6. Lack of oxygen during sleep (sleep apnea)

Tests:

• Blood tests or a lumbar puncture if there is an infection.
• Head CT scan or MRI
• Sinus X-RAYS
• CT or MR ANGIOGRAPHY

Treatment:

Acetaminophen-migraine

Fenoprofen-Prevention of tension headaches; migraines; hormone headache

Ibuprofen-Treatment of tension headache; migraines

HOME CARE GUIDELINES

When symptoms of migraine begin:

• Drink water to avoid dehydration, especially if you have vomited.
• Rest in a quiet, dark room.
• Place a cool cloth on your head.
• Use any relaxation techniques you have learned.

Maintain a diary to note down the triggering factors of your headache

• Day and time the pain began
• What you ate and drank over the past 24 hours
• How much you slept
• What you were doing and where you were right before the pain started
• How long the headache lasted and what made it stop