Holiday Headaches and holiday illness

Headaches are no joke. They involve mild to severe pain, in one or more parts of the head and neck. Most headaches are mild, but cause irritation amongst sufferers. Severe headaches need to be treated with drugs and possibly life-style changes.

For more information how to make a no win no fee no obligation compensation claims phone 08000 154321 or click here for www.roseclaims.co.uk


What causes headaches?

There is no single cause of headaches, but a number of causes have been identified and fall into two main categories. These are:

Tension headache

Tension headaches result from the contraction of head and neck muscles, and account for more than 70% of all headaches. Headaches occur in people of either sex and at any age but are most common in adults and teenagers. Tension headaches usually occur as a result of stress, fatigue, poor posture, eye strain, and too much tobacco and alcohol. Women are also prone to tension headaches before and after a menstrual period.

Migraine headache

Migraine is the cause of 20% all headaches. This type of headache occurs when blood vessels in the head and neck constrict, and result in a decrease of blood flow in the head. Migraine can cause severe pain on one side of the head, causing sufferers to feel sick and sensitive to light and sound. Chronic migraine affects more men than women. Factors associated with migraine headache are prolonged muscle tension and stress, a family history of migraine, excessive alcohol use, smoking, a lack of sleep and the use of oral contraceptives. Certain foods including chocolate, nuts and cheese, red wine and smoked fish, plus food containing artificial sweeteners can all contribute to migraine headaches. Migraine headache can last from few hours to a few days.

Migraine headache - when should you consult a doctor?

Most headaches can be cured by over-the-counter pain relief tablets, or a good night´s sleep. If you suffer chronic headaches, however, you should seek the advice of your GP, who will discuss possible causes and prevention with you. You should contact your doctor immediately if your headache is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, loss of memory, tiredness, a high fever, a stiff neck, convulsions, vision disturbances, loss of balance, loss of feeling in your arms and legs and difficulty communicating.

If you have suffered headaches after a fall or accident on holiday, you may be able to claim compensation when you return to the UK if the accident was not your fault. If you think you have a claim, contact a personal injury solicitor who specialises in holiday accident and illness claims to see if you are eligible to make a claim for compensation. Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors can help. We work on a no win no fee basis and we specialise in holiday accident and injury compensation claims.

How does the doctor make a diagnosis?

If you suffer severe headaches or migraine headaches, your doctor will ask you about your family medical history and also assess your diet and lifestyle, and decide whether to carry out further more detailed tests, including possible head scans (CT scan), an X-ray on the head, a temporal artery biopsy or even a lumbar puncture by a specialist.

What kind of treatment is available for a migraine headache?

If you suffer regular severe headaches, your doctor will decide what treatment to administer. Keep a note of the dates and times of headaches over a period of 3 months. Note when the pain started and how long it lasted, whether you had eaten or drunk anything just previously to the headache starting and whether you were taking any particular medicines before the onset of the headache. Also note weather conditions and, if you are a woman, how close to your menstrual cycle you are when the headaches are at their worse. By process of elimination you may be able to avoid certain foods/medicines which cause the headaches. For milder headaches, paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen are usually effective for pain relief. Prescription medicines are more effective for chronic migraines and severe headaches. Some over-the-counter medicines for migraine also contain anti-sickness drugs.

Your doctor may prescribe a preventive treatment if migraine attacks are especially frequent. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor.The above mentioned medicines should never be given to children unless you are advised to do so by your GP.

If you suffer from headaches what can you do to help yourself?

If you suffer from regular headaches:

• Avoid excessive use of alcohol and tobacco.

• Always consider your posture while sitting and working. The type of chair you use is important, and should be one that maximises comfort and good posture, and should be adjusted to a comfortable position that supports you.

• Perform regular relaxation techniques.

• Take plenty of fresh air and regular exercise.

• Many people find that taking natural herbal treatments is very effective at reducing or preventing headaches. Most herbal treatments and remedies needs to be taken daily – even if no headache is present – to have an effect. For migraine headaches, symptoms can be reduced by:

• Relaxing in a quiet room with the lights turned off.

• Avoiding food or drink in your diet that have been identified as having possible factors associated with migraine headaches, and avoiding noisy environments and loud music.Holiday illness abroad can be a nightmare. If you have suffered a holiday illness or accident that was not your fault, contact Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors when you return to the UK. We will help you claim compensation for a holiday package nightmare, food poisoning on board a cruise ship or any type of holiday accident or illness that was not your fault. Contact us free on 080001 54321 or fill in the online claim form.Holiday illness constipation