Talks on Health.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 274, 7 February 1929, Page 2

Talks on Health.

HEADACHES. Causes and Treatment. (Contributed by the Department of Health). Headache is certainly one of the most frequent complaints that human life is heir to, affecting' alike all classes of the community. Headache is a symptom and not a disease, and there is a plentiful supply of drugs that will relieve the symptom and thus postpone an investigation for the true cause. For this reason, there is no warning or danger signal so frequently neglected as a headache. There are so many factors entering into the causation of headaches, and so many different ways in which the pain may present itself, that no particular pathological condition can be said io cause any particular kind of headache—hence only the more common condition will be referred to in this article.

A very frequent cause is the onset of an acute infection, usually of the upper respiratory tract, such as the “ common cold.” Headaches are a usual symptom of the prodormal or preliminary stage of many infectious diseases, such as influenza, typhoid fever, smallpox, measles, etc. Constipation is also of importance, but constipation is seldom an isolated cause. It is usually associated with poor hygiene, i.e., lack of drinking I water and other faults of diet, lack I of sleep, and work at home as well as at the place of business, all con- ! tributing to bring on general fatigue.

Improper Eating. Over-eating ana improper eating are, of course, frequent causes of head pain. The so-called bilious headaches, often accompanied by stomach distress and vomiting, have sometimes little to do with bile, and may even be due to eye strain. Poisoning and irritation from undigested food, and not liver trouble, are the immediate cause. When the distress is obviously in the stomach, the more quickly the stomach is emptied the i more quickly the headache and general stress will be relieved. Eye Strain. Eye strain is recognised as being a frequent cause of headache. In many cases, however, eye strain would have little effect without a background of nervous insufficiency. By eye strain is meant not only strain due to defects of vision, but to over-use and improper use of the eyes—reading or sewing in dim light or in a too brilliant direct light, or facing the light. In this respect, advice as to the protection of the eyes has been already given in a previous article of this series on “ Care of the Eyes.” Eye strain is a possible cause of children’s headaches, and should always be investigated. The provi- [ sion of suitable glasses to correct the ! existing defect often converts a men--1 tally dull and distressed child into a I being of normal and happy mentality. The nasal cavities, like the air cavities, are very close to the brain; ] thus pressure, ulceration, or infec.tion I in these cavities may touch extrem- | ely sensitive nerves. A nose head--1 ache is usually confined to one side, but it may be located in the back ol the head. Brow headache or cheekache, if accompanied by a discharge from the nostril on the same side, call for immediate investigation by a nose and throat specialist. The teeth also must not be forgotten as a possible cause of headache, though the pain is remote from the affected tooth.

Other Causes. The feet, while anatomically remote from the head, may, nevertheless, give rise to severe headaches. Fallen arches lead to leg pain, back pain, and head r a *n. Tight shoes, tight corsets and tight collars must be included in the possible causes of headaches.

Neurasthenic head pain is a frequent symptom. It is usually relieved by rest and sleep. When an acute headache is present more than a day, medical advice should be sought. When headaches persistently recur, a thorough physical over-hauling, commencing wit!) careful test of the vision, is called for. Very often eye-strain is associated with other physical defects, such as enlarged tonsils or nasal or ear conditions, which aggravate the strain from faulty vision. It js not good practice, therefore, to rest content with the mere correction of a visual' defect. All organs and func-

tions of the body should be carefully examined to exclude every possible defect. In addition, the living habits must be carefully considered, especially with regard to diet, sleep, recreation and ventilation. Migraine.

Closely allied to the common but less severe headache is migraine. This, unlike many headaches, is not merely 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, onesided form of headache, often beginning in early life, and resisting all ordinary forms of treatment until about the age of fifty, when attacks subside. There is frequently a family history of such troubles.

s General Advice. Mankind generally bears pain badly, and for •'this reason people are apt to resort to drugs for treatment of headaches. These drugs were first thought to be harmless, but cases of death from over-doses and from heart depression have been reported, and j there is every reason to believe that : | the repeated, and continuous use of such remedies has a weakening effect on the circulation. There is ample justification, therefore, to warrant the issue of a warning against the indiscriminate use of headache powders practically all of which contain powerful drugs. Many parents fail to realise the danger of giving children suffering from headaches drugs such as phenacetin and aspirin. Frequent headaches in children indicate i the necessity for medical advice as to (the cause, and the steps to be taken to obtain a cure. To teach children to rely on drugs for the relief of pain may be to court future disaster. On the other hand, many simple home remedies are available that are absolutely without danger. For nervous forms of headache, rest and sleep in a darkl ened room are sufficient, without aid of drugs. For the congestive throbbing form of headache, a hot foot bath and an ice bag of cold compress to the head often proves effectual. When the bowels are at fault, they should be emptied and then i trained by diet and exercise to do this work properly. If the eyes are over-strained, proper glasses and rest and protection from the light will often prove efficient.

Finally, the presence of a persistent or oft-recurring headache should always be the subject of a complete investigation. It is often the premonitory, and for some time often the only symptom of serious brain disease such as brain tumour, inflammation of the coverings of the brain, and other conditions that lead to an increased pressure on the contents of the skull; no persistent or

recurring headache should ever be neglected.