Question

Your PowerPoint should address the following points, which will serve as a resource guide for a patient who may suffer from chronic headaches.

Health Assessment: Research headache treatments online. Focus especially on nontraditional or alternative treatments. Then answer the questions below:

1. What are 2 common causes of headaches?
2. Discuss 3-5 traditional remedies for headaches
3. Discuss 4-5 non-traditional or alternative remedies for headaches

Answer 1

CHRONIC HEADACHE

INTRODUCTION

A painful sensation in any part of the head,ranging from sharp to dull that may occur with other symptoms.despite regional variations,headaches are a worldwide problem,affecting people of all ages,races ,income level and geographical areas.many times headache can be caused by a trigger that is mainly due to skipping meals,hormonal changes during period in case of females, getting too much sleep or not enough sleep ,being hydrated and or stressed. chronic headache is presence of a headache more than 15 days per month for longer than 3 months.

PREVALENCE

The prevalence is that 90% of the population in the world experience headache in any given year. prevalence among adults is 47%.more than 10% were migraine in that.

CAUSES FOR HEADACHE

• pressure
• traction
• deformation
• displacement
• inflammation
• dilatation

PATH PHYSIOLOGY

the brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain as it lacks pain receptors.but the pain sensitive structures that are around the brain causes the sensation of pain.

CAUSATIVE FACTOR

STIMULATION OF NOCICEPTORS

TRANSMISSION OF PAIN IMPULSE BY SMALL MYELINATED FIBERS

FIBERS ARE TERMINATED IN DORSAL HORN OF SPINAL CORD

DORSAL HORN INITIATES SECONDARY NEURONS

SECONDARY NEURONS REACHES THE THALAMUS THROUGH SPINAL THALAMIC PATHWAY

classification

1. primary headache
2. secondary headache

TYPES

• sinus headache
• cluster headache
• tension headache
• migraine headache

RISK FACTORS OF CHRONIC HEADACHE

• obesity
• caffeine consumption
• sleep disturbances
• mood disorders
• overuse of headache medications

HEALTH ASSESSMENT

1. assess the pain level ,
2. onset
3. character and pattern
4. duration and frequency
5. location and radiation
6. relieving or aggrevating factors
7. previous experience
8. response to treatment
9. family history

associated symptoms etc...proper history of all the above should be asked to the patient complete physical examination should be done including

• general appearance
• vital signs
• Neuro examination
• ENT exam
• head and neck exam
• eye exam

2 common causes of headaches:

• lack of sleep
• skipping of meal
• due to stress

traditional remedies for headache

1. rest in a dark ,quiet room
2. relax to ease pain
3. treat pain with heat or cold
4. exercise to ease tension
5. try caffeine

non traditional remedies

• acupuncture
• electromyographic feedback
• massage
• aroma therapy
• herbs
• diet changes