What facts should I know about headaches? Readers Comments 7 Share Your Story Some common headache symptoms include throbbing, squeezing, constant, unrelenting, or intermittent. An illustration of migraine by 3D4Medical.com What is the medical definition of headache? Headache or head pain sometimes can be difficult to describe, but some common symptoms include throbbing, squeezing, constant, unrelenting,...
What is a cluster headache? Cluster headaches are intense cyclical, one-sided headaches. The triggers for this type of headache disorder are not clear, but they may have to do with blood vessels in the eye and sinuses or misfiring neurons. Cluster headache is pain that occurs along one side of the head. It's frequently described...
What is the best cure for migraine? Migraines can be prevented with medications and by avoiding triggers and incorporating lifestyle changes. The best cure for migraine involves preventive medications and lifestyle changes. Some newer medications and therapies are effective in controlling the symptoms of migraine. Avoiding or controlling triggers may provide considerable benefit. Migraine can...
What is a migraine? The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Researchers think that migraine occurs because of an increase in the level of neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages among the brain cells, in the brain. A migraine is a chronic headache characterized by repeated, intense, throbbing pain either on one side or both sides...
What is a migraine? Common painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen may be used for quick relief. Some natural home remedies may also help in symptomatic relief. Common painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen may be used for quick relief. Some natural home remedies may also help in symptomatic relief. Migraine is a...
What is eletriptan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Eletriptan is an oral drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It is in the "triptan" class of drugs that also includes sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), and frovatriptan (Frova). Migraine headaches are believed to be the result...
What is sumatriptan? What are the uses for sumatriptan? Sumatriptan is a drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Other members of this class include naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), rizatriptan (Maxalt), frovatriptan (Frova), eletriptan (Relpax), and almotriptan (Axert). Migraine headaches are believed...
What is narcotic analgesic-apap-caffeine-butalbital-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine is a combination product used for treating headache. Butalbital is a narcotic that depresses the central nervous system. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is the active compound in Tylenol. Acetaminophen relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold, that...
What is feverfew (tanacetum parthenium)-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tanacetum parthenium is an herb. The leaves are used as a natural herbal supplement. Tanacetum parthenium contains parthenolide, which works on serotonin receptors in the brain, giving relief from migraine headaches. Tanacetum parthenium is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and...
Introduction to Spinal Headaches A spinal headache can occur as a result of a procedure such as a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) or epidural block (such as that performed during a woman's labor and delivery). In these procedures, a needle is placed within the fluid-filled space surrounding the spinal cord. This creates a passage for...