Oh, my aching head! Almost everyone has had a headache. However for a lot of people, it’s not a once-in-a-while malady. If your headaches are frequent and chronic, they can seriously interfere with your all aspects of your life -- including your ability to do your best at work.
According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, headaches are the most common pain condition in the U.S. prompting lost productive time. The Migraine Research Foundation says American employers lose more than $13 billion each year as a result of 113 million work days lost to all types of headaches.
Fortunately, learning what triggers your headaches , using common sense self-help measures, and getting appropriate medical care if needed can help break the chronic headache cycle. The first step? Finding out what kind of headaches you typically have.
Migraines and moreIf you suffer from frequent headaches, you aren’t alone. A study by University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, published in the Journal of the Association of Occupational Health Nurses, noted that 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches that can last a few hours -- or persist for weeks.
Thankfully, while a headache can sometimes be a sign of a serious disease, it is most often one of these painful but not life-threatening types :
Tension headaches. Often described as making your head feel under pressure, tension headaches can last for minutes or days and can involve tightening of the muscles in the neck and the scalp.
Migraine headaches . Migraines usually throb and involve one side of the head. They last from hours up to three days and are frequently preceded by a group of visual symptoms (and sometimes dizziness or tingling) called an aura that lasts about 20 minutes .
Cluster headaches. More common in men than women, cluster headaches can occur between one and four times a day, usually lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Often extremely painful and described as burning or sharp, cluster headaches typically center around one eye.
Sinus headaches. Migraine and sinus headaches are often confused because they share many symptoms. In fact, studies have shown about 90 percent of people who think they have sinus headaches actually have migraines. You may feel pain and pressure in your cheeks, brow or forehead with a sinus headache ; the pain worsens when you bend forward. Signs of a sinus infection, including yellow-green or blood tinged nasal discharge and a fever may be present.
Identifying your headache"Tension-type headaches (TTH) are the most common headache as per surveys of the general population, but individuals presenting to healthcare providers for headache evaluation and treatment most often have migraine, "John F. Rothrock, MD, medical director of the University of Alabama School of Medicine’s department of neurology, tells Synergy. "All other primary headache types are quite rare by comparison. "
It makes sense that migraines land people in the doctor’s office more frequently because, by definition, they can cause severe and even disabling pain. "They are also often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, light/sound sensitivity, transient visual disturbance, or other neurologic symptoms that alarm the afflicted individual," notes Dr. Rothrock, who is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Headache.
When should you see a doctor about a headache? Dr. Rothrock points out that over 90 percent of people who are evaluated for headaches by physicians will end up with a diagnosis of migraines. Of course, there are serious conditions -- including brain tumors , infections of the nervous system and strokes that involve bleeding into the brain – that cause headaches.
"However, serious medical conditions that may include chronic, recurring headaches as a symptom are rarely present as headaches alone. Usually there are other worrisome symptoms and signs such as seizures, focal neurologic deficits, and uncharacteristic cognitive difficulty," Dr. Rothrock says.
"Regardless, if one is experiencing recurrent attacks of disabling headache, and especially if headache is frequent and/or increasing in frequency, it’s time to seek medical attention. While the diagnosis will likely be migraine, an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are required. "
Is your job giving you a pain in the head?
Even if you absolutely love your job, your workplace could have a lot to do with causing your chronic headaches. If you tend to get headaches frequently at work (but not on the weekends or at home), consider what could be triggering your headaches at the office.
For example, poor posture as you work at your computer for hours, lighting problems including flickering fluorescent lights, skipping breakfast or lunch, and fatigue can all trigger workplace headaches, according to Dr. Rothrock.
"Excess intake of caffeinated beverages, inadequate and irregular sleep patterns, and exposure to pungent odors could also be the cause of your headaches," adds Gregory J. Esper, MD, associate professor of neurology and director of general neurology and neuromuscular diseases at Emory University. Dr. Esper tells Synergy that stress is also a well-known trigger for both tension and migraine headaches.
A headache can hit in the middle of a stressful time, or afterwards. According to Dr. Rothrock, it’s not unusual for a severe headache to set in after a person has been working at full tilt and a project is completed and stress is relieved.
Self-help strategies for work-related headaches- What are some self-help measures to try if you have tension headaches related to work?
- Take a short break at every hour for at least five minutes – get up, walk around, and stretch.
- Make sure you are well-hydrated by drinking water and other non-caffeinated fluids throughout your work day.
- Try over-the-counter medications. Ask your pharmacist what’s best for you.
- Regular exercise in your off hours is a great stress reliever.
- Stick to a regular bedtime and don’t cut back on sleep.
"While headaches are often dismissed as minor ailments ,chronic , untreated headaches can disrupt the quality of life at work and at home. They result in a lost productivity at work, absenteeism due to pain, poor performance when having the pain, and social problems after work due to head pain. For instance, it’s hard to be a mother, father, or spouse when you have frequent minor headaches due to stress," Dr. Esper emphasizes.
"So look for headache triggers, try to avoid them or modify your work environment to prevent them. But if you can't, see your doctor sooner rather than later."
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