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Suggest Treatment For Severe Growing Headache, Confusion And Nausea
Question: got woken up saturday 4 am w/severe headache on right side of my head. Temple and eye. It spread to whole head & also started in back of head too. Today woke up to right side again. I have had memory confusion and loss of words. Worried and wondering if i should get a cat scan. Been having headaches 4-5 days weekly for 3 months. This headache sat waas worse than it has been
Brief Answer:
Need some details to guide you better
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. There could be a number of causes for your symptoms. I would be in a better position to reach to a conclusion if you answer following questions please:
1. Does anyone in your family has similar complaints? if yes then who and since when?
2. Pain occurs in whole head or in half head?
3. Does pain aggravate with movement?
4. Is there any associated history of:
a. visual symptoms like bright light flashing in your eyes or unable to focus from eyes at particular point?
b. Nausea, vomiting or anorexia?
5. Do you then prefer to lie in a dark room so that you headache improves?
6. Does headache occurs only during awakening?
7. Does headache starts if you are tired or did not take ample sleep?
8. Are you on any kind of medication?
9. Is there any family history of hypertension, diabetes or any other illness?
I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Need some details to guide you better
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. There could be a number of causes for your symptoms. I would be in a better position to reach to a conclusion if you answer following questions please:
1. Does anyone in your family has similar complaints? if yes then who and since when?
2. Pain occurs in whole head or in half head?
3. Does pain aggravate with movement?
4. Is there any associated history of:
a. visual symptoms like bright light flashing in your eyes or unable to focus from eyes at particular point?
b. Nausea, vomiting or anorexia?
5. Do you then prefer to lie in a dark room so that you headache improves?
6. Does headache occurs only during awakening?
7. Does headache starts if you are tired or did not take ample sleep?
8. Are you on any kind of medication?
9. Is there any family history of hypertension, diabetes or any other illness?
I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My mother has bad headaches and diabetes. My headaches vary but right noe pain is on right side, temple,eye. It spread to whole head with stiff neck, memory fog, words not flowing smoothly. Now today back to right side again. Light sensitive, noise sensitive, i was very nauseas yesterday and vomitted a little. I have been taking propananol for anxiet but not daily and as needed. I take melatonin at night. Eyes may get blurry. Not sure if movement aggravates or not as its been with me since saturday
Brief Answer:
Most probably Migraine headache
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the answers. I have gone through them and conclude that you most probably have migraine headache exaggerated by stress/anxiety. In this, brain sends waves which causes pain. Initially its unilateral but later on can spread to whole head. There are two kinds of treatment for it; immediate & preventive. I usually start my patients with sumatriptan at an initial dose of 25 mg for pain relief. In addition, preventive medication can also be started to reduce the frequency(if headache occurs often). Options include propanolol & amitriptyline. Most of these drugs are prescription drugs so you need to visit hospital to get them. You can also confirm the diagnosis by visiting a neurologist as well.
General Measures:
these steps will help in reducing the severity. medicines alone cant do anything.
1. Diet:
Following food aggravates symptoms:
> Alcohol
> Caffeine overuse
> Chocolates
> Citrus Food & banana
> Dairy cheese
> Vinegar
2. Stress:
Stress is a potent stimulator of headache. If you have past history of stress related issues then you need to visit hospital to get medication for it as they are prescription only.
3. Exercise:
Try to have a walk in the evening for 30-45 mins. Change in environment will help to reduce stress & improve health.
4. Sleep:
Adequate sleep is very important. Sleep deprivation is a potent stimulator of headache. You need to manage adequate sleep of at least 5-7 hrs/day.
5. Light:
Flashing lights like in clubs also stimulates the headache so you need to avoid them.
6. Keep a Headache Diary:
It can help you keeping the record of triggers. Write down everything you eat and drink, your exercise routine and schedule, the weather, strong feelings and emotions you may be having, your medications and their effects, and times and severity of your headaches. This can help you see a pattern in your migraine occurrences, and will make avoiding one easier.
7. Hormonal Changes:
Particularly important for females as it may aggravate the headache, specially oral contraceptive pills.
8. Weather may also effect:
Humidity and hot temperatures can stimulate headaches, as can rainy days, so it’s important to be aware of your environment.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Most probably Migraine headache
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the answers. I have gone through them and conclude that you most probably have migraine headache exaggerated by stress/anxiety. In this, brain sends waves which causes pain. Initially its unilateral but later on can spread to whole head. There are two kinds of treatment for it; immediate & preventive. I usually start my patients with sumatriptan at an initial dose of 25 mg for pain relief. In addition, preventive medication can also be started to reduce the frequency(if headache occurs often). Options include propanolol & amitriptyline. Most of these drugs are prescription drugs so you need to visit hospital to get them. You can also confirm the diagnosis by visiting a neurologist as well.
General Measures:
these steps will help in reducing the severity. medicines alone cant do anything.
1. Diet:
Following food aggravates symptoms:
> Alcohol
> Caffeine overuse
> Chocolates
> Citrus Food & banana
> Dairy cheese
> Vinegar
2. Stress:
Stress is a potent stimulator of headache. If you have past history of stress related issues then you need to visit hospital to get medication for it as they are prescription only.
3. Exercise:
Try to have a walk in the evening for 30-45 mins. Change in environment will help to reduce stress & improve health.
4. Sleep:
Adequate sleep is very important. Sleep deprivation is a potent stimulator of headache. You need to manage adequate sleep of at least 5-7 hrs/day.
5. Light:
Flashing lights like in clubs also stimulates the headache so you need to avoid them.
6. Keep a Headache Diary:
It can help you keeping the record of triggers. Write down everything you eat and drink, your exercise routine and schedule, the weather, strong feelings and emotions you may be having, your medications and their effects, and times and severity of your headaches. This can help you see a pattern in your migraine occurrences, and will make avoiding one easier.
7. Hormonal Changes:
Particularly important for females as it may aggravate the headache, specially oral contraceptive pills.
8. Weather may also effect:
Humidity and hot temperatures can stimulate headaches, as can rainy days, so it’s important to be aware of your environment.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Wow. Thank you so much for your detailed answer. I have been under enormous stress too. I can usually tell the difference with a tension headache and this one that I have. Its different. I worry too about tumor or aneurysm. Do you think i should get a cat scan to rule out these?
Brief Answer:
Wait & follow the measures
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are most welcome. I would suggest you to relax and follow above mentioned measures. if afterwards your symptoms still remains same then you can go with further workup. Make sure you relax and not take stress because stress/anxiety almost always aggravates the problem.
Thank You
Wait & follow the measures
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are most welcome. I would suggest you to relax and follow above mentioned measures. if afterwards your symptoms still remains same then you can go with further workup. Make sure you relax and not take stress because stress/anxiety almost always aggravates the problem.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much. You are very kind and appreciate such a thorough response. I will take your advice. I gave up alcohol a year and a half ago. I need to cut sugar out and other things. Losing weight too. I have fibromyalgia and that has put 30 lbs on me, so that will be a priority too.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are most welcome. I'm available 24/7 for if you ever need assistance.
Yes absolutely, these measures will help you in improving your health. Do remember that these measures will take time and you need to keep determination.
Wishing you good health!
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are most welcome. I'm available 24/7 for if you ever need assistance.
Yes absolutely, these measures will help you in improving your health. Do remember that these measures will take time and you need to keep determination.
Wishing you good health!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you again! Ive known people to pass in their sleep with aneurysm so it just scares me. Many blessings to you. Thank you
Brief Answer:
you will be fine God willing
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Hopefully you will do fine and will lead a very healthy life. Just take good care of yourself.
Thank You
you will be fine God willing
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Hopefully you will do fine and will lead a very healthy life. Just take good care of yourself.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you - God bless.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
hello
You are most welcome. Don't forget to close the discussion and rate it. Feel free to contact me directly on HCM by visiting http://goo.gl/fxj9bG
Wishing you good health !!
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
hello
You are most welcome. Don't forget to close the discussion and rate it. Feel free to contact me directly on HCM by visiting http://goo.gl/fxj9bG
Wishing you good health !!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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