TREATING HEADACHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 544, 22 December 1928, Page 26

TREATING HEADACHES

SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS GREAT CARE NECESSARY Headache is certainly one of the most frequent complaints that human life is heir to, affecting alike all classes of the community, says a paper from the Department of Health. 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 to 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 Qf an acute infection, usually of the upper respiratory tract, such as the “common cold.” Headaches are a usual symptom cf the prodromal 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 water and other faults of diet, lack of sleep, and work at home as well as at the place of business, all contributing to bring on general fatigue. improper Eating Over-eating and improper eating are of course, frequent causes of head pain. The so-called bilious headaches, Often accompanied by stomach distress and vomiting, have softietimes 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 more quickly the headache and general stress will be relieved.

Eye Strain Eye strain is recognised as being a frequent cause of headache. In manv mfu?’i^° W f Ver> P' e strain would have little effect w ithout a background of nervous insufficiency. By eye strain is meant not only strain due to defects use of on the Ut t 0 ° Ver ' Use and improper use °t the eyes—reading or sewimr n dint 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 giveil in a previous article of this series on “Care of the Eyes.” Eye strain is a possible cause of children’s head* aches, and should always be investigated. The provision of suitable glasses to correct the existing defect often converts a mentally dull and distressed child into a being of normal and happy mentality. The nasal cavities, like the air cavities. are very close to the brain; thus pressure, ulceration, or infection in these cavities may touch extremely sensitive nerves. A nose headache is usually confined to one side, but it may be located in the back of 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 pain. 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 overhauling, commencing with 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 aggravates the strain from faulty vision. It is not good practice, therefore, to rest content with the mere correction of a visual defect. All organs and functions 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 dear y defined disease entirely characterised by periodic paroxysmal attacks, accompanied by nausea or vomiting. is an obstinate, one-sided form ® headache, often beginning in early life, and resisting all ordinary form* of treatment until about the age o fifty, when attacks subside. There frequently a family history of sues troubles.