|
Headache
A guide to headache causes and treatments
Download this booklet in PDF format (1444kb)
What about the future?
Most types of headache continue to affect people throughout their lives and are suppressed, rather than cured, by treatment. Tension-type headache often settles down as people grow older, but migraine and particularly cluster headache seem to remain little changed over many years.
Once it has been confirmed that the headache is not a signpost to a specific condition like a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage or meningitis, and migraine, tension-type headache or cluster headache has been diagnosed, the affected person can be assured that there are few, if any, long-term risks associated with any of these kinds of headache. Although the symptoms cannot actually be cured by a course of treatment of any kind, individual attacks can be treated with painkillers, and regular treatment will suppress, though not stop, more frequent attacks. Leaving any of these forms of headache untreated will not cause long-term damage.
Care must be taken not to take excessive doses of painkillers containing codeine or ergotamine because of the risk that the headache will recur or become continuous. None of the drugs used in the treatment of migraine, either as a painkiller or as a preventative measure, are addictive in the sense that, for example, morphine or even tranquillisers such as valium are. For this reason there is no need to be concerned about taking a drug such a propranolol, pizotifen or verapamil on a continuous basis if it seems to be working. It is a good idea to try to stop taking this kind of medication every six to 12 months, under medical supervision, to see if the pains recur without treatment and that continuing treatment is still worthwhile.
Care must be taken not to take excessive doses of painkillers containing codeine or ergotamine because of the risk that the headache will recur or become continuous. None of the drugs used in the treatment of migraine, either as a painkiller or as a preventative measure, are addictive in the sense that, for example, morphine or even tranquillisers such as valium are. For this reason there is no need to be concerned about taking a drug such a propranolol, pizotifen or verapamil on a continuous basis if it seems to be working. It is a good idea to try to stop taking this kind of medication every six to 12 months, under medical supervision, to see if the pains recur without treatment and that continuing treatment is still worthwhile.
|
Page 9 of 13
Contents
- Introduction
- Headache is a symptom
- What are the different types of headache?
- How is the diagnosis made?
- What causes headache?
- Migraine
- Tension-type headache
- Cluster headache
- What about the future?
- How is lifestyle affected?
- Conclusion
- Other organisations that may be able to help
- Your feedback on Headache
