Temporal Arteritis
Arteritis, an inflammation of certain arteries in the head, primarily affects people over the age of 50.
The symptoms of this condition can include throbbing
headaches, a fever, and a loss of appetite. Some patients may also experience blurred vision or a loss of vision.
Prompt treatment with corticosteroid drugs helps to relieve symptoms of arteritis.
Meningitis headaches are caused by infections of the meninges (the brain's outer covering), and
encephalitis headaches are due to an inflammation of the brain itself.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia, or tic douloureux, results from a disorder of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve supplies feeling to the face, teeth, mouth, and nasal cavity, and also enables the mouth muscles to chew.
The symptoms of this condition can include headaches and intense facial pain that comes in short, excruciating jabs set off by the slightest touch to or movement of trigger points in the face or mouth.
People with trigeminal neuralgia often fear brushing their teeth or chewing on the side of the mouth that is affected.
Many trigeminal neuralgia symptoms can be controlled with drugs, including
carbamazepine. Patients who do not respond to these drugs may need to undergo surgery on the trigeminal nerve.
Sinus Infections
In a condition called acute sinusitis, a viral or bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract spreads to the membrane that lines the sinus cavities. When one or more of these cavities are filled with fluid from the inflammation, they become painful.
Treatment of acute sinusitis includes antibiotics, analgesics, and decongestants. Chronic sinusitis may be caused by an allergy to irritants, such as dust, ragweed, animal hair, and smoke. Headache research scientists disagree about whether chronic sinusitis triggers headaches.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print