HEALTH MATTERS FOR STUDENTS presents It has been

HEALTH MATTERS FOR STUDENTS presents

It has been estimated that 47% of the adult population have had a headache at least once within last year.

Common? Yes Normal? NO!

Often times “triggers” are what causes headaches. So what are possible triggers?

COMMON TRIGGERS Stress Foods and drinks: chocolate, citrus fruits, nuts, food additives like MSG or nitrates, beer, red wine, caffeinated drinks, etc. Odors: perfumes, smoke, fumes from cleaning agents, etc. Skipping meals

OTHER COMMON TRIGGERS Dehydration Lack of sleep Eye strain Strong or flickering lights Excessive noise Muscle tension Certain medications

Do you have re-occurring headaches? Start taking notes…

RECORD: When the headache started What you were doing when it began What you ate or drank that day (or night before) How long it lasts What brought relief

WAYS TO CONTROL HEADACHES: Avoid food and environmental triggers Keep stress under control Get adequate rest Eat healthy foods, don’t skip meals Stay well hydrated Use heat or ice, massage, and/or relaxation techniques

Occasionally a headache is a sign of a serious medical condition.

IF YOUR HEADACHE… Is sudden and severe Is accompanied with a fever, stiff neck, vomiting, numbness, weakness, or vision loss Is persistent, when you normally are headache free

Requires medication more than two days per week Begins after a head injury or other trauma Keeps you from functioning normally

See your doctor!

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Massage Therapy Can Help Relieve headaches Use your fingertips to gently apply pressure and rub your temples. Using firm pressure and in a tiny circular motion, gradually move your fingers up along your hairline until they meet in the middle of your forehead, massaging your entire forehead and scalp as you move along.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT HEADACHES CONTACT: Health Services Wells Hall 270 -809 -3809 In the case of emergency call: Public Safety 270 -809 -2222 To use an on campus phone to dial a campus number dial the last 4 digits of the phone number

References: headaches. org; Mayo. Clinic. com; http: //www. who. int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs 2 77/en/