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Headache Pain│When Men Get Headaches

Tags: migraine , men , male , migraine headache , cluster headache , tension headache , ,

You may have heard that migraine occurs almost three times more often in women than in men. In this country, about 18 percent of women and about 6 percent of men suffer from these life-altering headaches.

“There is a hormonal relationship between women and migraine,” says Stephen Silberstein, M.D., past president of the American Headache Society, professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University and director of the Jefferson Headache Center in Philadelphia. But, as most women can tell you, men and headaches do go together. “Men do not have the same fluctuations in hormones as women,” says Dr. Silberstein, but some do have migraines. “It’s their mothers,” he says. “Also, their fathers. It seems to be genetic.”

Cluster Headaches

On the other hand, cluster headaches, which occur in only one tenth of a percent of the population, are at least three times more prevalent in men than in women.

“The easiest way to describe a cluster headache,” says Dr. Silberstein, “is to say that it’s as if someone put a hot poker into your eye for 10 to 30 minutes. Your nose runs, your eyes tear up, you run around like a chicken with your head cut off, and you bang your head against a wall. That’s a cluster headache.”

So what do people do to alleviate the pain of a cluster headache? “The best treatment, which people don’t do enough of, is injectable sumatriptan—a prescription medication that turns off the pain mechanisms in the brain,” says Dr. Silberstein. However, most patients need preventive treatment to keep attacks from coming. The most commonly prescribed medications for cluster prevention are lithium, verapamil, divalproex sodium and dipyramide.” You may need to try several medications before finding one that works for you, but the right one can prevent another episode.

Tension Headaches

The most common headache is the least understood. “We don’t have the foggiest idea what a tension headache is,“ says Dr. Silberstein. “We define it by what it’s not: It’s not migraine; it’s not a cluster. Everybody in the world gets these headaches. That’s why they’re not simple to figure out. But here’s an important point. If you go to a doctor complaining of a headache, it’s not a tension headache. People don’t complain about tension headaches. Have a headache that comes and goes? It’s likely a migraine. Sinus headaches are unusual. They are generally nothing more than migraines in the sinus area.”

Risky Business?

“Men need to be aware of one more type of headache that can affect them,” says Dr. Silberstein. “It’s called an orgasmic headache, and it’s an exploding headache during intercourse.” There are benign ones; these may be painful, but they have no apparent repercussions. And then there are those that signal more serious medical problems. “Men need to be aware of this possibility the first time it happens to them,” says Dr. Silberstein. “They should see a doctor immediately. The pain could signal a ruptured aneurysm—a tear in the wall of a cerebral blood vessel.” And aneurysms tend to get more frequent as you get older.

So, men, take notice of your pain. And don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you suspect one of these headaches.

Writer: John McIntosh
В©REMEDY, Summer 2007

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<h1>Headache Pain&#9474;When Men Get Headaches</h1><br />by John McIntosh<br /><p>You may have heard that migraine occurs almost three times more often in women than in men. In this country, about 18 percent of women and about 6 percent of men suffer from these life-altering headaches.</p> <p>“There is a hormonal relationship between women and migraine,” says Stephen Silberstein, M.D., past president of the American Headache Society, professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University and director of the Jefferson Headache Center in Philadelphia. But, as most women can tell you, men and headaches do go together. “Men do not have the same fluctuations in hormones as women,” says Dr. Silberstein, but some do have migraines. “It’s their mothers,” he says. “Also, their fathers. It seems to be genetic.”</p> <p>Cluster Headaches</p> <p>On the other hand, cluster headaches, which occur in only one tenth of a percent of the population, are at least three times more prevalent in men than in women.</p> <p>“The easiest way to describe a cluster headache,” says Dr. Silberstein, “is to say that it’s as if someone put a hot poker into your eye for 10 to 30 minutes. Your nose runs, your eyes tear up, you run around like a chicken with your head cut off, and you bang your head against a wall. That’s a cluster headache.”</p> <p>So what do people do to alleviate the pain of a cluster headache? “The best treatment, which people don’t do enough of, is injectable sumatriptan—a prescription medication that turns off the pain mechanisms in the brain,” says Dr. Silberstein. However, most patients need preventive treatment to keep attacks from coming. The most commonly prescribed medications for cluster prevention are lithium, verapamil, divalproex sodium and dipyramide.” You may need to try several medications before finding one that works for you, but the right one can prevent another episode.</p> <p>Tension Headaches</p> <p>The most common headache is the least understood. “We don’t have the foggiest idea what a tension headache is,“ says Dr. Silberstein. “We define it by what it’s not: It’s not migraine; it’s not a cluster. Everybody in the world gets these headaches. That’s why they’re not simple to figure out. But here’s an important point. If you go to a doctor complaining of a headache, it’s not a tension headache. People don’t complain about tension headaches. Have a headache that comes and goes? It’s likely a migraine. Sinus headaches are unusual. They are generally nothing more than migraines in the sinus area.”</p> <p>Risky Business?</p> <p>“Men need to be aware of one more type of headache that can affect them,” says Dr. Silberstein. “It’s called an orgasmic headache, and it’s an exploding headache during intercourse.” There are benign ones; these may be painful, but they have no apparent repercussions. And then there are those that signal more serious medical problems. “Men need to be aware of this possibility the first time it happens to them,” says Dr. Silberstein. “They should see a doctor immediately. The pain could signal a ruptured aneurysm—a tear in the wall of a cerebral blood vessel.” And aneurysms tend to get more frequent as you get older.</p> <p>So, men, take notice of your pain. And don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you suspect one of these headaches.</p> <p>Writer: John McIntosh<br />©REMEDY, Summer 2007</p> <br /><h2>About the Author</h2><p>Get a FREE 2-year subscription to the award-winning <a target="_blank" href="http://www.healthisnow.com"> health care magazine</a>, REMEDY. Sign up today! Also, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.HealthyUpdates.com">HealthyUpdates.com</a></p> <br /><h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/health/wellness/headache-pain-and-%239474%3Bwhen-men-get-headaches.htm" title="Headache Pain&#9474;When Men Get Headaches">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free high quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>