Got Headaches?

A look at five different headaches and how to avoid them.

Five types of headache you haven't heard of:
1
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome

Ever wondered why your head spins after a meal at your local Chinese restaurant? About 3 grams of MSG or monosodium glutamate contained in just 200ml of wonton soup can bring on pressure or throbbing over your temples and a band like sensation around the forehead. It usually strikes about 20-25 minutes after eating Chinese food, but the good news is it doesn’t last, usually passing within an hour. Avoid foods containing MSG.
2
Thunderclap Headache

A sudden onset of severe headache that can be caused by migraine, orgasm, or a rapid elevation of blood pressure. The cause can also be far more sinister like an aneurysm when symptoms may extend to stiff neck, double vision, even a loss of consciousness. You may need medication to keep your blood pressure under control. If it is an aneurysm, you will need urgent hospital treatment.
3
Cluster Headache

Can often strike an hour after going to bed and cause excruciating pain around one eye. Attacks often occur in clusters, hence the name. Symptoms can also include a drooping eyelid, watering eye, nasal congestion and steady rather than throbbing pain. Treatment during an acute attack may involve inhaling oxygen or sumatriptan subcutaneous injection. There are also preventative medications available, but see your doctor, advises Headache Australia.
4
Rebound Headache

If you’re quick at popping painkillers as soon as a headache strikes, you may be at risk of rebound headaches. They’re caused by overuse of headache medication and can be triggered if you take pain relief more than a couple of days a week. Reducing or stopping the medication might be hard short-term but should provide long-term relief from rebound headaches. Consider acupuncture or relaxation techniques instead of conventional medicine.
5
Hot Dog Headache

The nitrites contained in foods such as hot dogs, salami, bacon and ham can lead to expansion of blood vessels inside the skull, causing a moderate headache. Like Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, it’s best to let it pass and avoid such foods in the future. They’re usually full of additives and preservatives anyway.

I'd say I am very lucky because it seems I seldom get a headache (nothing that will really need me to resort to best eye cream for dark circles) and I'm not the type to pop a pill when I feel some uneasiness. I'd just sleep it off and I'll feel better soon after. But these types of headaches notes from bodyandsoul.com.au quiet helpful.

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