Headache 

 Headache, also known as cephalalgia , is symptom of pain in head and surrounding organs such as face and neck. Headache is one of the most commonly experienced of all physical  discomforts. Headaches can be experienced in many forms such as – severe pain, stabbing pain or minor aches.

Headache can occur as a result of different underlying pathologies. Similarly it’s treatment is determined by underlying cause.

 

Types of headache.

There are more than 200 types of headaches – some are mild and harmless while others require immediate medical attention as they may be life threatening if left untreated.

Headaches are broadly classified as – primary and secondary headaches.

 

Primary headache -  Almost ninety percent of all headache are primary. Primary headache are benign, reoccurring,  and usually not caused by any other disease or  Structural  disability. Primary headaches are comparatively less Harmful than secondary.

Some Common examples of primary headache are listed below :

• Migraines.
• Tension type headache.
• Cluster headache.
• Trigeminal neuralgia.
• Hemicranias continua.
• Primary stabbing headache.
• Primary cough headache.
• Primary exertional headache.
• Hypnic headache. Etc

 

Secondary headache- Secondary headaches are often caused by an underlying disease like an infections, head injuries, vascular disorders, brain haemorrhage, GI disorders, tumours etc. Some  Secondary headaches can be relatively more dangerous than primary.

 

Some common causes  of secondary headache are as follows :

• Meningitis
• Ischemic stroke
• Haemorrhagic stroke
• Intracranial haemorrhage
• Sub arachnoid haemorrhage
• Aneurysm
• Brain tumour
• GI disorders etc.

 

Pathophysiology of headache.

Brain itself is not sensitive to pain, mainly because it lacks pain receptors. However head and neck do have pain receptors and can thus sense pain. Headaches occur due to irritation or traction  of meninges and blood vessels that can be due to inflammation, trauma, pressure, spasms etc.

Once stimulated, a pain receptor also known as nociceptor sends a message up the length of the nerve fibre to the nerve cells located in the brain, signalling that a part of the body hurts.

 

Diagnosis of a headache.

 

Most headaches are clinically diagnosed on the basis of history , clinical signs and symptoms, and neurological examination.

However Headaches that may be possibly dangerous; for example headaches involving:

• Systemic symptoms (fever or weight loss)
• Systemic disease (HIV infection, malignancy)
• Neurologic symptoms or signs
•  sudden onset(thunderclap headache)
• Onset after age 40 years
• Previous headache history (first, worst, or different headache)
• Headaches increasing in frequency and severity
• Change in personality, consciousness, or mental status
• Inability to move a limb
• Headache triggered by cough, exertion or while engaged in sexual intercourse etc May require further lab investigations and imaging techniques to diagnose well.

Ayurvedic view and management of headaches.

According to Ayurveda, headaches are mentioned broadly as “ Sirorogas” which are caused to disturbance in equilibrium of tridoshas – vata, pitta, kapha.

As per Ayurveda although pain is primarily due to vitiation of vata dosha. However, vitiation of  pitta or kapha or both can also cause headaches.

A few characteristics of headaches caused by each doshas are mentioned below :

 

• In spring season, when the cool, wet, heavy qualities of Kapha dosha predominate, many people suffer from  headaches,  usually caused by Kapha-Vata imbalances characterized by -congestion and a heavy, dull feeling.
• Imbalance of the dry, cool, fast-moving Vata dosha causes headaches with symptoms including sharp or fluctuating pain, as if a band is being tightened around the head.
• An imbalance in the hot natured Pitta dosha manifests as a burning, searing, sharp pain—which can also be associated with visual sensations and light sensitivity.

 

Ayurveda deploys a holistic approach in management of Ayurveda including medicines, panchkarma therapies such as - Abhyanga, shirodhara, Shirovasti, nasyam, shirovasti etc and adequate diet and lifestyle modifications that treat root cause of headaches and provide sustainable relief from all associated symptoms.

 

Some home remedies to reduce mild, rarely occurring headaches are as follows:

• Tea prepared from herbs like Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric ,cloves, basil leaves, mint etc .
• Stay hydrated.
• Getting adequate rest.
• Relaxation therapies.
• Applying compresses( cold/hot depending on type)
• Turn down lights, loud noises.
• Yoga and pranayama.
• Meditation.
• A walk in open air.
• Massaging pressure points.
• Avoid contact with strong odours, chemicals.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, smoking.
• Avoid exposure to strong sun, wind ,fog, cold, or wet conditions
• Avoid suppression of natural urges(urine, sleep, stool, hunger, thirst etc)