Introduction of Migraine, Headaches and Vertigo

MIGRAINE, HEADACHESAND VERTIGO

Headache .is the most common disease of the brain. It is said that everyone suffers from a headache at least once in his or her life while some suffer from it frequently. Headache is a common symptom but it can be serious in some cases. In 1 % patients the cause may be a brain tumor. Some people may complain of a unilateral headache, which occurs every few days or months and can be migraine.

If the headache is of recent origin, then changes in daily lifestyle such as the pattern of working, eating habits or sleeping habits may also be a cause. If the headache has been there for some months then it has to be noted what prompted the patient to seek treatment. Contraceptive pills can also cause headache in some women. High blood pressure can also be one of the reasons for headache. Thus, it is very necessary for patients with headache, to undergo complete history, neurological and physical check-up and investigations. Along with headache, if the person has loss of consciousness, double vision, seizures, vertigo, or blackouts then it warrants urgent CT Scan, so as to rule out a brain tumor or an ordinary edema.

The various alarming diseases, which could cause headache, are meningitis, brain hemorrhage, brain tumor, arteritis, edema of the brain and impaired blood circulation in the brain. Luckily very few patients with headache may be suffering from such serious diseases with associated other. symptoms. These are termed secondary headaches.

Migraine is the commonest and a relatively benign disease, which can cause headache. Other common causesof headache are tension, side effects of medicines, cluster headaches etc. In these cases of headache patient’s reports are completely normal and there are practically no possibilities or danger of any disability or paralysis. These are therefore called primary headaches. In addition to above reasons of headache; depression, alcohol addiction, spondylosis, sinus infection, weakness of eyes, glaucoma, or neuralgia, etc can also cause headache.