The American Headache Society estimates 90 percent of Americans have at least one headache a year. The symptoms are the seventh most common reason for physician visits in the U.S. Annually, Americans spend about one billion dollars on over-the-counter medications for headache relief.

There are three main types of headaches: tension, migraine and cluster. Tension headaches are the most common kind of headaches. They are characterized by pressing or tightening pain on both sides of the head. They may be episodic (infrequent, or less than once a month), frequent (one to 15 days/month) or chronic (occurring 15 days or more a month on a daily or continuous basis). The National Headache Foundation estimates about 78 percent of American adults have experienced a tension headache at some point in their lives.

Migraines are a severe type of headache characterized by throbbing and disabling pain (usually on one side of the head), nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. The symptoms are exacerbated by physical activity. The National Headache Foundation reports 13 percent of Americans (29.5 million people) get migraines. The headaches are three times more common in women than in men.

Cluster headaches are attacks of sudden, severe or excruciating pain located around one eye or on one side of the head. The pain is usually accompanied by a swollen or droopy eyelid, eye tearing and nasal congestion or discharge in the nostril on the same side of the face. Some people have facial flushing and sweating. The pain is typically brief (lasting 30 to 45 minutes), but the rest of the symptoms can last a few hours. The headaches recur, one to four times a day, for a period of time (called a cluster period). A cluster may last for several weeks or months and be followed by a symptom-free period. Cluster headaches are the rarest of the three main headache types, occurring in about one percent of Americans.

Preventing Headaches Around the Holidays
Susan Broner, M.D., Neurologist with St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, says with the holidays just around the corner, many people will experience more frequent or severe headaches. Many headaches have some kind of trigger. Knowing and avoiding those triggers may prevent the headache from occurring. Here are some of the more common triggers.
Stress. Many headaches are triggered by stress, and, for some people, the holidays can send stress levels soaring. Relaxation and stress management techniques can help many people manage the problem. Planning ahead and setting budgets can reduce the stress associated with time crunches and limited finances. Some people tend to go overboard with planning and take on too much. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or say “no” to extra time commitments.

Changes in routine. Broner says, during the holidays, sleep schedules often get disrupted and people tend to eat different kinds of foods or skip meals. She recommends keeping a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at approximately the same time every day. Start with a good, healthy breakfast and eat healthy meals the rest of the day. Avoid high-sugared snacks and fatty fast-food meals. Exercise regularly. And stick to your exercise routine, even when traveling.

Caffeine. Caffeine is a natural stimulant. Reducing caffeine or skipping that morning cup of coffee can lead to caffeine withdrawal and trigger a headache.

Alcohol. Too much alcohol is a known cause of hangover headache. Alcohol also dehydrates the body, which can also trigger a headache. Limit the amount of alcohol you consume during the holiday season. Broner recommends having a full stomach and drinking slowly. Stay hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with water and non-caffeinated beverages. Some people may need to avoid red wine, which contains tyramine, an amino acid that can trigger a headache in people who are sensitive to the chemical.

Foods. For some people, certain foods can trigger a headache. People who have food sensitivities should take care to avoid eating those foods and ask about ingredients in foods they are served.

Irritants. Smoke, perfumes and scented candles can trigger headaches in some people. If you can’t avoid the irritants, make sure you take breaks outside or in areas with lower levels of irritants.

Broner says that despite your best efforts, some people will still get headaches. She recommends treating the symptoms as soon as they start, when the pain is more amenable to treatment. That will enable a headache sufferer to get back to normal routines or holiday plans more quickly. People who are prone to headaches should make sure they carry medications with them so they don’t have to wait until they get home to take something to treat the headache.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY
For general information on headaches:
American Headache Society, http://www.achenet.org
National Headache Foundation, http://www.headaches.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, http://www.ninds.nih.gov