ADVISORY COMMISSION ON WOMEN

There are many types of headaches. Some may be a mild nuisance. Others may wreck your ability to go about your daily business.

Here's a guide to some common headaches:

• Tension headaches may be caused by stress, anxiety, strong emotions, muscle tension, or muscle stiffness.
  
• Cluster headaches tend to occur repeatedly at roughly the same time of day or night. They are more common in men.
  
• Pressure headaches can occur as a result of high blood pressure, anger, vigorous exercise, or sexual excitement.
  A high fever from an illness or infection may cause a headache.
  
• Substances such as food additives, medications, alcohol, poisons, or solvents can cause headaches.
  You may also experience headaches if you stop drinking caffeine.
  
• Sinus infections may also cause headaches from the built-up pressure in the sinuses.

The most common treatment for these headaches is pain relief medication. Other treatments may include relaxation therapy, biofeedback, antidepressant medications, oxygen therapy, physical therapy, massage, and gentle neck exercises.

Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, and at times disturbed vision (flashing lights, zigzag lines, temporary loss of vision). Other symptoms may include speech difficulty, weakness of an arm or leg, tingling of the face or hands, and confusion about 30 minutes after onset of the headache. Migraines may last several hours or even days. They can be triggered by different factors, such as stress and other emotions, fatigue, glaring or flickering lights, changes in weather, and certain foods or smells.

Treatments for migraine headaches are directed at prevention and treatment. They include medications, biofeedback, relaxation training, and special anti-migraine diets.

Some types of headaches are signals of more serious disorders, like a brain tumor, stroke, meningitis, or head injury.

Headache Resources

Atlantic County Division of Public Health's Women's Clinic
645-5933

National Headache Foundation
1-888-NHF 5552
www.headaches.org

American Headache Society
1-609-423-0043
http://ahsnet.org/

American Council for Headache Education (ACHE)
1-800-255-2243
www.achenet.org/

Brain Injury Association, Inc.
1-800-444-6443
http://www.biausa.org/