Some Diseases That Induce Headaches - Part 2

Apart from anemia, hypertension, hypoglycemia and depression, there are a few other diseases like arthritis, bruxism, glaucoma and lupus which might seem quite unrelated to headaches yet are a major source of headaches. Know more about them... 

Arthritis
It might seem strange but yes, arthritis and headaches have been found to be interlinked. Arthritis can be of two types: rheumatoid and osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis may begin at any age. It is the condition in which the body starts recognizing its own cells as foreign particles and starts attacking them. Consequently, the bony areas around the joints are destroyed and the hands and the fingers start appearing to be deformed. Sometimes, the first and the second vertebra of the spine might also be involved.

But osteoarthritis is the more common form of arthritis. However, it does not produce any deformity of the joints. Rather, in this condition, it is the ligaments which get weak. But it is usually more painful than rheumatoid arthritis. It affects the fifth, sixth and the seventh vertebra in the neck region.

Headaches in arthritis are usually experienced when the first, second or the third vertebra is involved. This is because the nerves in this area are connected with the scalp. To treat arthritis, of any type, a horde of medications and physical therapies are available. So, go ahead and choose one in accordance with your doctor’s advice.

Bruxism
You might be waking up in the morning with a pain in your jaw or head almost everyday. This pain might be a result of clenching or grinding your teeth every day and every night consciously or unconsciously.

Clinically known as bruxism, this habit puts undue pressure on your jaws, tissues, and the muscles in your face and near your head. It can lead to jaw joint disorders, soreness, jaw pain, headaches, earaches and damaged teeth.

The causes for bruxism are not well- documented but it is felt that it may be due to stress. The constant clenching and grinding may lead to soreness of the muscles in the face and the jaw. In that case, it is important to see the doctor as soon as possible.


Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye in which extra pressure builds up in the eyeball, which can not be drained. This may happen because the fluid in the eye does not get drained properly or because it is getting over-produced.

  If proper treatment is not taken on time, it may also lead to a loss of vision.

Headache due to glaucoma may be felt in and around the eyes or the forehead and may vary in intensity from mild to severe. Nausea and vomiting may also be a regular feature of this disease. It is important that a correct diagnosis of glaucoma be made as it is often confused with migraine.

It is very important that you be in knowledge of your disease and take regular medication under the supervision of a doctor. Over-the-counter medications should not be taken as they may further worsen glaucoma. Even headache preventive therapies must be taken only after the doctor's recommendation.

Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Headache just might be one of its symptoms. Because it mimics the symptoms of other diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and because there is no single test to conclusively prove the existence of this condition, diagnosis may prove to be difficult. Lupus, currently, has no cure.

The symptoms of lupus are extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle ache, anemia, listlessness and even the destruction of vital organs.

As for headaches, lupus patients are twice as likely to suffer from migraine-like headaches as the rest of the population. The treatment is the same as that for migraine using painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines, vasoconstrictors, beta blockers and tricyclic antidepressants. A 1 week trial of prednisone may be quite useful unlike in the case of migraine sufferers.
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