Claudio Butticè - What You Need to Know About Headaches

What You Need to Know
about Headaches

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What You Need to
Know about
Headaches

Claudio Buttic

Inside Diseases and Disorders

Copyright 2022 by ABC-CLIO, LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

This book discusses treatments (including types of medication and mental health therapies), diagnostic tests for various symptoms and mental health disorders, and organizations. The authors have made every effort to present accurate and up-to-date information. However, the information in this book is not intended to recommend or endorse particular treatments or organizations, or substitute for the care or medical advice of a qualified health professional, or be used to alter any medical therapy without a medical doctors advice. Specific situations may require specific therapeutic approaches not included in this book. For those reasons, we recommend that readers follow the advice of qualified health care professionals directly involved in their care. Readers who suspect they may have specific medical problems should consult a physician about any suggestions made in this book.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Buttic, Claudio, author.

Title: What you need to know about headaches / Claudio Buttic.

Description: Santa Barbara, California : Greenwood, [2022] | Series: Inside diseases and disorders | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021030477 (print) | LCCN 2021030478 (ebook) | ISBN 9781440875311 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781440875328 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Headache.

Classification: LCC RC392 .B83 2022 (print) | LCC RC392 (ebook) | DDC 616.8/491dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021030477

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021030478

ISBN: 978-1-4408-7531-1 (print)

978-1-4408-7532-8 (ebook)

262524232212345

This book is also available as an eBook.

Greenwood

An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC

ABC-CLIO, LLC

147 Castilian Drive

Santa Barbara, California 93117

www.abc-clio.com

This book is printed on acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America

To all those people who, like me, must survive with a demon that once in a while (and always one time too many) tries to claw out of their heads, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Even when the pain seems unbearable, hold tight. It will always fade awayeventually.

Contents

Disease is as old as humanity itself, and it has been the leading cause of death and disability throughout history. From the Black Death in the Middle Ages to smallpox outbreaks among Native Americans to the modern-day epidemics of diabetes and heart disease, humans have lived withand died fromall manner of ailments, whether caused by infectious agents, environmental and lifestyle factors, or genetic abnormalities. The field of medicine has been driven forward by our desire to combat and prevent disease and to improve the lives of those living with debilitating disorders. And while we have made great strides forward, particularly in the last 100 years, it is doubtful that mankind will ever be completely free of the burden of disease.

Greenwoods Inside Diseases and Disorders series examines some of the key diseases and disorders, both physical and psychological, affecting the world today. Some (such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and ADHD) have been selected because of their prominence within modern America. Others (such as Ebola, celiac disease, and autism) have been chosen because they are often discussed in the media and, in some cases, are controversial or the subject of scientific or cultural debate.

Because this series covers so many different diseases and disorders, we have striven to create uniformity across all books. To maximize clarity and consistency, each book in the series follows the same format. Each begins with a collection of 10 frequently asked questions about the disease or disorder, followed by clear, concise answers. profiles cutting-edge research and speculates on how things might change in the next few decades.

Each volume also features five fictional case studies to illustrate different aspects of the books subject matter, highlighting key concepts and themes that have been explored throughout the text. The reader will also find a glossary of terms and a collection of print and electronic resources for additional information and further study.

As a final caveat, please be aware that the information presented in these books is no substitute for consultation with a licensed health care professional. These books do not claim to provide medical advice or guidance.

His headache was still sitting over his right eye as if it had been nailed there.

Ian Fleming

Every one of us has had to deal with a headache at least once. Headaches can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, age, or preexisting conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 50% of adults across the world will experience a headache in any given year.

Headaches can be caused by external factors such as stress, medical conditions, or toxic substances, or they can just become a condition on their own. Although a headache is most often a symptom of something else, many headaches can become real disorders with a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected. Depending on the severity and frequency, a headache may range from a mildly annoying issue to a truly debilitating and disabling condition that negatively affects the entire existence of a person.

A headache may hit at any time, and when it does, there are very few other things you can think about other than getting rid of it as quickly as possible. They often lead to other problems, as they are linked with several comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Theyre associated with social stigma and may represent a huge health burden when they become frequent or chronic. People suffering from frequent migraines, for example, may have serious issues attending school or work regularly. Headache disorders are not just an individual health and economic burden for those affected. They are among the leading causes of years lived with disability (YLD) worldwide and have a tremendous impact on society at large. Even famous historic figures such as Charles Darwin, Julius Caesar, Sigmund Freud, Thomas Jefferson, and Napoleon suffered from debilitating headaches that forced them to endure tremendous pain and, in some instances, led to their withdrawal from society.