Severe headache

[nicnicnic]

Somebody I know has recently started having very severe headaches. They started very suddenly and at first he was dianosed as having neuralgia. He was given medication, although this didnt help. On return to the doctor, he was immediatly signed off work and is having tests next week. He is over 40 and has a very stressful job, which means he is always on a mobile phone. He doesnt seem to have any other symptoms, but is not allowed to drive for the time being. I have looked into all of the serious conditions eg brian tumours etc, but was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced anything like this or if anyone knows what it could be? Please help!

[christie]

hi nicnicnic my mum suffered with these same symtoms and was told it was neuralgia the medication she took didnt work either but after having more tests she was assured it was neuralgia but she was also told she suffers with migrain which some people think is just a bad headache but can be really painful and totally knock you out if your friend works his headaches could be caused by stress tell him to slow down relax and take deep breaths to help the blood flow to get to his head better.i hope he feels better soon.

[Wisebird]

Hi nicnicnic. Try not to worry too much. It's very easy to worry about tumours etc when people have severe headaches. It could well be stress induced migraine and migraines can begin at any time of life. Migraines are absolutely dreadful and can't be compared with 'headaches'. Hopefully the tests will rule out anything more serious.

[woofgang]

nicnicnic, the most common cause of headaches is stress, the doc is probably playing it safe with the tests and if he is that stressed then stopping him driving temporarily is probably a good protection for him and everyone else.

[football]

The next best thing to self diagnosis is for someone else to do the research Then to take the new information to the doctors & tell them the reason for attending. The hospital has MRI scans & CAT scans not you. Leave the worrying to the doctors.

[Tha-Flash]

Get him to relax, see doctor... I'm not too sure about this but for normal headaches, I usually just go bed until they've gone.

[frenchy]

Did he describe the pain or location of the headache to you? I suffer from "cluster headaches" they are always on just one side , it feels like you have a burning poker in your eye, you are light and noise sensitive terrible to deal with until you get the right diagnosis- they are often diagnosed as migraines but are in a differnt class-there is wonderful medication to help- the best person to go to would be a neuroiogist . Good luck

[papia]

Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or neck. Headaches can be caused by minor problems like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more serious reasons like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can have harmful side effects, so it is better to modify your lifestyle. More information available at http://tinyurl.com/q8696