Headaches
What is a headache?
Headache is one of the top health complaints and one of the most common reasons people see physicians; and it's not a new problem. In Medieval times, physicians bored holes in the skulls of their suffering patients to release trapped spirits thought to be causing the pain. Fortunately, conventional medicine offers less drastic treatment for headache sufferers.
Some types of headaches have an allergic basis. In these cases, careful evaluation may pinpoint the allergen, or allergy-causing substance, causing your headache. Everybody gets headaches.
How do you know when you should see a doctor about them?
Because each of us is different in how we handle pain, you must decide yourself. However, here are some conditions which may call for a consultation with a physician:
- The recent onset of frequent, moderate to severe headaches, associated with other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting.
- Frequent headaches which occur on a daily or weekly basis.
- Headaches which make it impossible for you to think, do your work, go to school or enjoy life.
- Headaches which respond only to a great deal of over-the-counter medication such as aspirin and Tylenol-type products.
- Headaches with fever that last more than a day or two.
What kinds of headaches have been shown to be caused by allergies?
Two types of headaches clearly can be caused by allergies-sinus headaches and migraines. Another unusual headache called cluster headache is possibly related to allergic disease.