Head aches

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

I have had a pretty much constant headache for a couple of years. I have a constant dull pain in the sides of my head 4-6 days a week. At least a couple of times a week, although sometimes more, they escalate into something much more painful, with blinding pain across my eyes or my left temple and eyebrow. They also make me feel sick.

They seem to be triggered by light (strip lighting in shops and classrooms, and bright natural light), too much sugar, periods and tiredness, among other things.

I've visited the dentist to see if it's to do with teeth grinding, but my teeth are pretty much straight. I've visited the opticians but there's nothing wrong with my eyes, except the fact that they're blue and so more sensitive than if they were a darker colour. I've also visited the doctors but they say that it's normal for a teenager.

I take solpadeine, which is an over the counter pain killer containing paracetamol, codeine and caffeine. I also sometimes take just paracetamol, particularly if I'm about to go to bed because I'm sensitive to caffeine. If they get really bad I take ibuprofen on top of that.

Anyone else on here have to deal with this? Is it normal?

[BDF]

I find it hard to think of a reason. I've had bad headaches in the past. They can be caused by dehydration which makes blood vessels shrink. Another thing that can do this I imagine is poor circulation connected with blood pressure. You could look into that.


And although there might not be anything wrong with your eyes technically speaking, if they are more sensitive they'll have to work harder to filter out bright lights, causing very slight but prolonged muscle tension... which could cause headaches.

The effect sugar is having on you somewhat sounds like diabetes, but I don't really know much about it. I think it can mess with circulation problems by affecting blood pressure. You do not need to be overweight to have diabetes, which is what most people think.

Periods also affect blood pressure I think.

[Kira-Kira]

well i have this but not for yrs like past months and i havent found anything to make it go away my dad has the same problem and he got an mri thing they say lack of protien or fiber and chlostol was high but this isnt always the case just an idea

[TargetMascot]

I had constant headaches like that for about 4-5 months and I went to every doctor I could think of. Someone gave me the idea of my wisdom teeth being the problem. After I got them taken out, my headaches went away. The oral surgeon told me he sees it all the time.

[BDF]

I'm 20 and my wisdom teeth have only started coming out in the past few months lol. I didn't think it could be the reason for someone 16 yrs old. Though yea wisdom teeth coming out can cause headaches.

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

I don't have wisdom teeth yet.

[BDF]

I just noticed in the original post you said they make you feel sick. I'm more convinced it's something to do with blood pressure now. One of the reasons periods can make you feel sick is because of sudden changes in blood pressure. Variable blood pressure messes with your head, can make you dizzy and stuff.

See a doctor about your blood pressure, maybe record it yourself when doing different activities, record it when you get a more severe headache etc.

Do you find your headaches get hell at lot worse when your heart rate increases? Your heart rate might increase for example when you go up a staircase, get up suddenly from a sofa or from bed, seeing something stressful in the news etc...

You also said you're sensitive to caffeine. In what way? Does it also give you a headache?

Two good links I found through google that might help you understand:

http://highbloodpressure.about.com/o.../headaches.htm
http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/he...extBlock264861

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

Originally Posted by BDF

Do you find your headaches get hell at lot worse when your heart rate increases? Your heart rate might increase for example when you go up a staircase, get up suddenly from a sofa or from bed, seeing something stressful in the news etc...

No, I don't think. It's usually light that affects me.

Originally Posted by BDF

You also said you're sensitive to caffeine. In what way? Does it also give you a headache?

Yes, it usually does.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a read through them.

[The Morrigan]

If they make you feel sick then they could be migraines especially if light also makes them worse.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Migrain...roduction.aspx

That link has pretty useful information about migraines so you could see if your headaches are similar to the descriptions on there.

Also, if they've been occurring frequently definitely go see a doctor about this so they can rule out any serious issues.

Have you had your eyes tested recently? When I started getting migraines it was because I need glasses.

[Littlebylittle]

I suffered with childhood migraines;
Light, especially light from energy efficent bulbs, chocolate, cheese, caffeine, sugar made them all worse, i went to the doctor and he gave me tablets to take 3 times a day, and now i don't get them. Although when im out in the sun itry to wear a hat or stay in the shade as much as possible as the sun and heat ha a massive effect on me.
Go to the doctors - migraines are horrible and completley over run my life when i was younger, and the fact you feel sick makes it sound even more like migraines; me and my friend both get sick, and feel sick when we get them.