Organic headaches are extremely rare. They’re caused by abnormalities in the skull or the brain: aneurisms, tumors (both benign and malignant), brain infections, abscesses, meningitis, cerebral hemorrhages. Not all people with these abnormalities experience headaches. Tumors, for example, will only cause a headache if it increases the pressure inside the cranium or intrudes upon the space of the arteries. Headaches caused by tumors will most likely come on quickly, and with breathtaking intensity. It may be aggravated by physical activity or coughing and will get progressively worse.
See your doctor immediately if you experience any of these “red-flag” symptoms:
Sudden, sharp headaches, especially if you get headaches very rarely
Confusion
Seizures
Difficulty in speaking
A sudden lack of balance
Inappropriate and uncharacteristic behavior
Treatment
Counseling/Psychotherapy: Chronic headaches can be caused by depression or stress. Counseling can help a person to identify and eliminate the problem that may be contributing to their headache pain.
Biofeedback: Biofeedback equipment is designed to measure the involuntary physical responses of the body – breathing, heart rate, muscle tension, temperature, and brain activity. It makes you aware of your physical responses and allows you to refine your relaxation techniques accordingly.
Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese procedure (5,000 years old!) is said to block pain by stimulating certain nerves. Tiny, fine needles are painlessly inserted into the skin at specific sites and left there for a period of time. Acupuncture studies indicate that it has a fifty to eighty percent relief rate for people with chronic pain.
Massage therapy: Having a massage, especially in the area of the head, neck, and shoulders, can greatly reduce tension and stress in those areas. This can lead to a reduced occurrence of tension-type headaches.
Relaxation training: There’s more to relaxation than vegging out in front of the TV or reading a book. Relaxation training involves recognizing your body’s responses to stress, and learning how to modify those responses in order to reduce your stress level. There are several types of relaxation training:
Guided imagery – With this technique, you use your “mind’s eye” to visualize yourself pain-free and in a relaxed atmosphere.
Progressive muscle relaxation – A sense of deep relaxation is achieved by first tightening, then relaxing, each muscle group.
Diaphragmatic breathing – This technique involves breathing deeply, slowly, and steadily, concentrating on the movement of the diaphragm. It can be very useful during a headache, because at the onset of pain, breathing usually becomes more rapid and shallow and can actually increase the severity of the headache. Learning to slow down and control the breath can prevent this from happening.
Put a sheet of foil into the freezer until it’s ice cold, then stick it to your forehead for a couple of minutes.
Wrap your head with paper or cloth that’s been soaked in vinegar.
Cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead.
Put a hot, moist towel on your head.
Put a cool, moist towel on your head.
Rub the muscle between your thumb and index finger.
Lie down in a dark room.
Take a gingko biloba capsule.
Massage essential oil of peppermint, lavender, sage, or rose into your temples.
Take a willow bark capsule.
Drink a cup of coffee, caffeinated tea, or soda.
Boil peppermint leaves in water and then inhale the steam.