HEADACHES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 189, 27 August 1937, Page 13

HEADACHES

Sonie of Their Causes and Treatment A FREQUENT COMPLAINT (Contributed by the Department oi Health.) Headache is certainly one of tbe most frequent complaints tbat buman life is heir to, affecting alike all classes of tbe community. Headacbe is a symptoru aud not a disease, and there is a plentiful supply of drugs that will relieve tbe symptom and tbus postpone an investigation for tbe true cause. For tbis reason, tberp is no warning Oi dangcr signal so frequently nfgb-oted as a headaclie. Tbere are so many factors entering into the causation of beadaches, and so many different ways in wbicb tbe pain may present itself, that no q>articular pathological condition ean be said to cause any particular kind of headache — hence only fbe more common condition will be .referred to in tbis articJe. - A very frequent cause is tbe onset of an acute infection usually of the upper respiratory tract, such as tbe "common cold." Headachcs are a usual symptom of tbe prodromal or preliminary stage of many infectious diseases, such as infiuenza, byphoid fever, smallpox, measles, etc. Constipation is also of importanqo, biAt constipation is seldom an isolated cause, It is usually associated Avitb poor hygiene, i.e., lack of . drinking water and otber faults of diet, lack of sleep and work at bome as well dt tbe plaee of business, all contributing to bring on general fatigue. Over-eating and improper ealing are, of course, frequent causes of bead pain. The so-called bibous headaches often accorqpanied by stomach distress and vomiting, have eometimes little to do witb bile, and may; even be due to eye strain. Poisoning and irritation from undigested food, and not liver trouble- are tlie immediate cause. Wben the distress is obviously in the stomach, the more quickly tbe stomaeb is empt'ied tbe moro quickly the headache and general stress will be rebeved. Eye Strain. Eye strain is recogjnised as being a frequent. cause of headache. In many cases, however, eye-strain would have little effect without a b.ackground of nervous insufHciency. By eye strain is meant not only strain due to defects of vision, but to over-use and improper use of tbe eyes — reading or scwing in diiA ligbt or in a too brilliant direct Jignt, or facing tbe ligbt. Eye strain is a possible cause of cbildren's lieadacbes, and sbould always be investigated. Tbe provision of suitable glasses to corvect the existing defect often converts a mentally dull and distressted cbild into a boing of normal anol bappy mentality. Tbe nasal cavities, likq the air cavities, are very close to ihe brain ; tbus pressure, ulceration, or infection- in tbese cavities may toucb extremely sensitive nerves. A nose headache is usually confined to one side, but it may be^located in tbe baek of tbe head. Brow headacbe pr ebeekache, if accompaniqd by a discharge from tbe uostril pn tbe saine side, call* for immediate investigation by a nose and throat specigjist. Tbe teeth also must pot be fergotten as a possible cause Of headacbe, tliough tbe pain is remote from the affected tootb. The feet while anatomically remote from tbe head, may, nevertheless, give riso to gevere headaches. Fallen arclies lead to legj pain, back pain ancl bead pain. Tight sboes, tigbt corsets, aud tigbt collars must be included in tbe possible ' causes of .headacbe. Neurastbepic head pain is a frequent eymptom. It is usually relieved by rest and sleep. Drying the bair in a current of cold air may even bring on a headacbe, as well as wearing beavy beqcbdress or a hard-rim-med tigbt-fit.ting bat wbicb compresses tbe scalp. \ Wben an acute headache is present more .tban a day, medical advice sbould be sought. Wben headaches persistently recur, a thorough pbysical overhauling, copamencing with careful tegt of tbe vision ig caljed for. Very often eye-strain is associated witb Qtber phygical defects. such as enlarged tonsils or nasal or ear conditions, wbidi aggiravates tbe strain from faiilty vision. Closely allied to tbe common but less severe headacbe is migraine. Tbis, unlike many headaches, is not iqerely a symptom, but seems to be a clearly defined disease entirely characterised by periodic paroxysmal attacks, accompanied by nausea or vomiting. it is an obstinate, one-sided form of headacbe, often beginning in early life, and resisting all ordinary forrps of treatment qutil about tbe age pf fifty, wben at* tacks subside. Tbere is frequeqtly a i'aqiiiy bistpry of such troubles. General Advice. Maukiud generally bears pain bgdly, and for tbis reason people are spt to resorb to drugs lor treatment pf headaches. Tbese drugs were tjrsb tbpuglit

to be barmless, but cases of death from over-doses have been reported, and tbere is every reason to believe tbat tbe repeated and continuous qse of such remedios bas a weakeniqg effect pn tbe circulation, Tbere is ample Justification, tberefoie, to warrant tbe issue ef a warning agaiust tbe indiscriininate use of headache powders, practically gll of wbicb contain powerful drugs. Many pareutg fail to realise tbe dauger of giving drugs to children suffering from headaches. Frequent hoadaebes in children indicate the necessity for medical advice as to the cause, and tbe 1 steps to be taken to obtain a cure. To ' teach children to rely on drugs for tbe relief of pain may be to court future disaster. Many simple bome remedies | are available tbat are absolutely without danger. For nervous forms of . headache, a hot foot batli and an ice , bag of cold compress to the head often ' proves effectual. Massages of the . scalp and neck may bring rclief. Wben , the bowels are at fault, they sbould be . emptied and then trained by diet and ; exercise to do tbis work propertly. If 1 tbe eyes are over-strained, proper glass- ; es and rest and protection from tlie - ligbt will often proye efficicnt. i A bygienic and temperato life witb

reasonable care of the body's reijuirements should keep us free from headaches, but, if simple me^uires fail, advice sbould be sought so as to gct at the cause.