Do Headaches Make Your Life Miserable?
While most people treat their tension headaches and migraines with over-the-counter remedies, there are two important reasons to seek headache relief from a doctor :
- Long-term solutions can cure the problem, rather than merely treat the symptoms.
- Constant headaches could be the sign of something more serious, e.g. brain tumors, aneurysms, strokes, encephalitis, meningitis, sinusitis (which can lead to a brain abscess).
There are several types of headache, each with their own set of symptoms – and a whole range of causes. By tracking your symptoms before visiting Dr. Jamieson, she will be better able to treat you.
Visit our list of symptoms to track.
Migraines
“…people who had migraine with aura were 28% more likely to die from coronary heart disease and 40% more likely to die of stroke.” – Icelandic Study
Common Symptoms
- Unilateral pain
- Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Increased sensitivity to light and sound
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Aura
Until recently, headache relief for migraines has not always been effective because the causes of a migraine had not clearly been identified. While migraines were previously thought to be a vascular phenomenon, recent research showing that migraines are primarily a neurological disorder which brings us closer to finding a cure. However, common triggers for migraines, such as food intolerance, mineral deficiencies (magnesium), allergies, and hormonal fluctuations, can still be tested for and treated.
In addition to the unpleasant symptoms above, research from Harvard Medical School has shown that women who experience migraine with aura have double the risk of suffering from heart attacks and strokes, and are more than twice as likely to die of cardiovascular disease and an Icelandic study indicated that people (men and women) who had migraine with aura were 28% more likely to die from coronary heart disease and 40% more likely to die of stroke.
Because of the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases associated with a migraine, Dr Jamieson can screen for risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol and recommend a heart health programme.
Tension headaches
Tension headaches can be caused by sinus infections
- Bilateral pain in the front, top or sides of the head
- Difficultly sleeping
- Chronic fatigue
- Irritability
- Muscle ache
If you are suffering from acute or chronic headaches, please take time to make an appointment with Dr Jamieson who may be able to help you with long-term tension headache and migraine relief as well as help rule out any serious possible causes. To make an appointment with Dr. Jamieson, please call 2523 8044.