Podium

--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------

Headaches, Migraines, National Headache Foundation, US Headache Consortium, Women, Food, Smells, Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Massage, Herbs, Minerals, Vitamins, Muscle Tension, Brain Chemicals, Pain Messages, Trigeminal Autonomic Reflex Pathway, Sumatriptan Injections, Oxygen Therapy, Chronic Headache Sufferers

--------- EPISODE TITLE SUGGESTIONS ---------

- Demystifying Headaches: Causes, Types and Effective Treatment Options

- Grasping the Intricacies of Headaches

- A Deep Dive into the World of Headaches

- Navigating the Maze of Headache Management

- Understanding and Alleviating Headache Pain

- The Comprehensive Guide to Headache Relief

- Demystifying the Labyrinth of Headache Triggers and Treatments

--------- EPISODE SUMMARY ---------

Get ready to gain a profound understanding of the complex world of headaches! Join us and experts from the National Headache Foundation and the US Headache Consortium, as we unravel the intricacies of various types of headaches, their triggers and the best ways to manage and treat them. You'll be surprised to learn that migraines affect 70% of women and can be triggered by anything from food to strong smells. We'll delve into alternative forms of treatment too, including acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, and the use of herbs, minerals, and vitamins. We also take a detailed look at tension headaches, exploring causes like muscle tension and brain chemicals, and how these impact the pain messages your brain receives. 

Shifting gears, we dig deep into the realm of cluster headaches, whose origin can be traced to a region in the brain known as the trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway. We discuss in-depth how modern medicine like Sumatriptan injections and oxygen therapy can effectively combat these headaches. The aim? To reassure you that there are solutions for almost all headache types. Whether you're a chronic headache sufferer looking for relief, or just curious to learn more about this common health issue, this enlightening conversation promises to offer valuable insights. Tune in to educate yourself and learn how to effectively manage headaches.

--------- EPISODE SUMMARY ALTERNATIVE ---------

Ever wondered why a tiny headache often feels like a thunderstorm brewing in your brain? Are you one among the 70% of women who constantly battle migraines? We've got some life-changing information coming your way on our newest podcast episode. Together with leading experts from the National Headache Foundation and the US Headache Consortium, we dive headfirst into the fascinating and often misunderstood world of headaches. We scrutinize everything from the triggers of migraines to their treatments - examining everything from the food we eat to the scents we breathe. But it doesn't stop there. We also explore some groundbreaking alternatives to typical treatments, like acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, and even the use of herbs, minerals, and vitamins.

Does the term 'trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway' ring a bell? If not, it's about time you learn about it, especially if you're dealing with agonizing cluster headaches. We delve into this specific brain area's role in causing these excruciating headaches and discuss some cutting-edge treatments, including Sumatriptan injections and oxygen therapy. Not only do we discuss this often-overlooked type of headache, but we also shed light on the much more common tension headaches, discussing everything from their roots in muscle tension to their connection with brain chemicals. Tune in to our enlightening conversation for a deep understanding of headaches and their management. Say goodbye to debilitating headaches and take control of your health once and for all!

--------- EPISODE SUMMARY ALTERNATIVE ---------

Join us as we explore the world of headaches with experts from the National Headache Foundation and the US Headache Consortium. We unpack different types of headaches, focusing on the prevalence of migraines which surprisingly affect 70% of women. We go through an array of potential triggers, from food to strong smells, and share insights on how to manage and treat these debilitating episodes. Our discussion also covers alternative forms of treatment such as acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, and the use of herbs, minerals, and vitamins. We then shift our focus to tension headaches, examining potential causes from muscle tension to brain chemicals and their impact on pain messages sent to the brain. 

Venturing into the realm of cluster headaches, we discuss how this type of headache, whose cause is rooted in a brain area known as a trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway, can be treated. We talk about treatments like Sumatriptan injections and oxygen therapy, assuring you that modern medicine has ways to treat almost all of our headaches. Whether you're a chronic headache sufferer, or simply keen on understanding more about this common health issue, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Tune in to learn more about headaches and gain insights on how to manage them effectively.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:02) - Understanding and Treating Headaches

(0:12:21) - Treatment Options for Cluster Headaches

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:02) - Understanding and Treating Headaches

The National Headache Foundation and US Headache Consortium explore migraine prevalence, alternative treatments, and tension headache causes.

(0:12:21) - Treatment Options for Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are treatable with sumatriptan injections, oxygen, and modern medicine.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH FULL SUMMARIES ---------

(0:00:02) - Understanding and Treating Headaches (12 Minutes)

The National Headache Foundation and the US Headache Consortium explore different types of headaches and how to treat them. We examine the prevalence of migraine headaches, with 70% of sufferers being women, and potential causes ranging from food to strong smells. Alternative forms of treatment such as acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, herbs, minerals, and vitamins are discussed. Lastly, tension headaches are examined, looking at possible causes from muscle tension to brain chemicals and how they impact pain messages sent to the brain.

(0:12:21) - Treatment Options for Cluster Headaches (2 Minutes)

The cause of cluster headaches is in a brain area known as a trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway. Sumatriptan injections and breathing oxygen are two of the treatments available. Modern medicine has ways to treat almost all of our headaches.

--------- HIGHLIGHTS ---------

0:02:22 - Managing Migraines With Medication (113 Seconds)

0:11:07 - Understanding Cluster Headaches and Treatment Options (124 Seconds)

--------- HIGHLIGHTS WITH TRANSCRIPT ---------

* Managing Migraines With Medication | 0:02:22 - 0:04:15 (113 Seconds)

0:02:22 Speaker 2

One migraine sufferer is Curtis Crowley of Ellicott City in Maryland. He had head pain as a child. Mr Crowley says he does not know what kind of headaches they were, but when he suffered severe headaches as an adult, doctors identified the problem as migraine. Today Mr Crowley produces and directs films and videos. He says months can pass without a headache, but then he will have three migraines within a month. If he takes the medicine his doctor ordered early in his headache, it controls the pain in his head. If not, the pain becomes extremely bad. Sometimes he has had to be treated with a combination of drugs in a hospital.  

0:03:30 Speaker 1

Some people take medicine every day to prevent or ease migraine headaches. Others use medicine to control pain already developed. Doctors treating migraine sufferers often order medicines from a group of drugs known as tryptans. Most migraines react at least partly to existing medicine And most people can use existing medicine without experiencing bad effects. Doctors sometimes use caffeine to treat migraine headaches. Interestingly, caffeine can also cause some migraines.  

----------------------------------------------

* Understanding Cluster Headaches and Treatment Options | 0:11:07 - 0:13:11 (124 Seconds)

0:11:07 Speaker 1

The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio says the cluster headache can be many times more intense than a migraine. Cluster headaches usually strike young people. Smokers and people who drink alcohol often get such headaches. Men are about six times more likely than women to have them. The Cleveland Clinic says this is especially true of younger men. Doctors say cluster headaches often strike during changes of season. Cluster headache patients describe the pain as burning. The pain is almost always felt on one side of the face. It can last for up to 90 minutes. Then it stops, but it often starts again later the same day. 80 to 90 percent of cluster headache patients have pain over a number of days to a whole year. Pain-free periods separate these periods.  

0:12:21 Speaker 2

The Cleveland Clinic says the cause of cluster headaches is in a brain area known as a trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway. When the nerve is made active it starts pain linked to cluster headaches. The nerve starts a process that makes one eye watery and red. Studies have shown that activation of the trigeminal nerve may come from a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The Cleveland Clinic says injections of the drug Sumatriptan can help. Many other drugs could be used. For example, doctors say breathing oxygen also can help.  

----------------------------------------------

NOTE: There were 2 speakers identified in this transcript. Podium recommends using "Find and Replace" to change the speaker label to the appropriate name. Speaker separation errors can arise when multiple speakers speak simultaneously.

0:00:02 - Speaker 1

From VOA Learning English. this is Science in the News. I'm Steve Ember Today, barbara Klein and I tell about headaches, the pain that strikes almost everyone at some time. 

0:00:24 - Speaker 2

Have you had a headache recently? If your answer is yes, you are like many millions of people worldwide who experience pain in the head. The pain can be temporary, mild and cured by a simple painkiller like aspirin, or it can be severe. The National Headache Foundation says more than 45 million people in the United States suffer chronic headaches. Such a headache causes severe pain that goes away but returns later. Some headaches may prove difficult and require time to treat, but many experts today are working toward cures or major help for chronic headaches. 

0:01:22 - Speaker 1

The US Headache Consortium is a group with seven member organizations. They are working to improve treatment of one kind of headache, the migraine. Some people experience this kind of pain as often as two weeks every month. The National Headache Foundation says about 70% of migraine sufferers are women. Some people describe the pain as throbbing, causing pressure in the head. Others compare it to someone driving a sharp object into the head. Migraine headaches cause Americans to miss at least 150 million workdays each year. A migraine can be mild, but it also can be so severe that a person cannot live a normal life. 

0:02:22 - Speaker 2

One migraine sufferer is Curtis Crowley of Ellicott City in Maryland. He had head pain as a child. Mr Crowley says he does not know what kind of headaches they were, but when he suffered severe headaches as an adult, doctors identified the problem as migraine. Today Mr Crowley produces and directs films and videos. He says months can pass without a headache, but then he will have three migraines within a month. If he takes the medicine his doctor ordered early in his headache, it controls the pain in his head. If not, the pain becomes extremely bad. Sometimes he has had to be treated with a combination of drugs in a hospital. 

0:03:30 - Speaker 1

Some people take medicine every day to prevent or ease migraine headaches. Others use medicine to control pain already developed. Doctors treating migraine sufferers often order medicines from a group of drugs known as tryptans. Most migraines react at least partly to existing medicine And most people can use existing medicine without experiencing bad effects. Doctors sometimes use caffeine to treat migraine headaches. Interestingly, caffeine can also cause some migraines. 

0:04:17 - Speaker 2

Medical experts have long recognized the work of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, minnesota. The Mayo Clinic says several foods are suspected of being triggers that start migraines. They include cheese and alcoholic drinks. Food additives like salt and monosodium glutamate also may be triggers. The Mayo Clinic tells patients to avoid strong smells that have seemingly started migraines in the past. Some people react badly to products like perfume, even if they have a pleasant smell. The clinic's experts say aerobic exercise can help migraine sufferers. Aerobic exercise increases a person's heart rate. It can include walking, swimming or riding a bicycle, but a sudden start to hard exercise can cause headaches. So it is a good idea to perform some mild exercises before beginning activities that require more energy. The experts advise that people should plan to exercise, eat and sleep at the same times each day. 

0:05:48 - Speaker 1

The Mayo Clinic also has advice for women who suffer from migraines. The female body makes estrogen. Drugs like birth control pills contain a version of this chemical. Such drugs may produce headaches or cause them to worsen the clinic warns, but they can also cause an easing of headache pain. The same is true for estrogen replacement drugs for women. Doctors sometimes order estrogen replacement for women who are no longer able to have children. 

0:06:27 - Speaker 2

The Mayo Clinic says there are alternative or non-traditional ways to treat migraine. Among them is acupuncture, in which thin needles are placed below the skin at defined areas. The clinic says another method, biofeedback, is especially effective for migraine, And biofeedback patients use special equipment to learn how to observe and control physical reactions linked to stress. Some people get help from massage, systematic rubbing of the body. Others use herbs, minerals or vitamins. More people suffer tension headaches than migraines, But most tension is the cause of the headache. 

0:07:18 - Speaker 1

Events that start tension headaches may include emotional pressure and the deeper than normal sadness called depression. Other people suffer tension headaches than migraines, But most people get tired from the normal sadness called depression. Other tension headaches can start from something as simple as feeling tired. Common changes in atmospheric conditions also can be responsible. The Mayo Clinic says you may feel a tension headache as tightness in the skin around your eyes or you may feel pressure around your head. Episodic tension headaches strike from time to time. Chronic tension headaches happen more often. A tension headache can last from a half hour to a whole week. 

0:08:29 - Speaker 2

The Mayo Clinic says the pain may come very early in the day. Other signs can include pain in the neck or the lower part of the head. Scientists are not sure what causes tension headaches. For years researchers blamed muscle tension from tightening in the face, neck and the skin on top of the head. They believed emotional tension caused these movements, But that belief has been disputed. The International Headache Society began organizing a system for identifying differing forms of headaches in 1985. The society says there is no evidence that tense muscles are the only cause of pain, So it suggests that tension headaches be called tension types. 

0:09:32 - Speaker 1

Some scientists now believe that tension headaches may result from changes among brain chemicals such as serotonin. These changes may start sending pain messages to the brain. The changes may interfere with brain activity that suppresses pain. Whatever the cause of a headache, people do not enjoy the experience. Treatment can be as simple as aspirin or other pain killers, but if your pain is too severe you will need a doctor's advice. 

0:10:11 - Speaker 2

A website called FamilyDoctororg provides information from the American Academy of Family Physicians. It offers suggestions to ease or end a tension headache. For example, it says putting heat or ice on your head or neck can help. So can standing under hot water while you are getting washed in the shower. The group also advises exercising often. Another idea is taking a holiday from work, but you had better ask your employer first. 

0:11:01 - Speaker 1

Ask anyone with a cluster headache and they will tell you that the pain is terrible. The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio says the cluster headache can be many times more intense than a migraine. Cluster headaches usually strike young people. Smokers and people who drink alcohol often get such headaches. Men are about six times more likely than women to have them. The Cleveland Clinic says this is especially true of younger men. Doctors say cluster headaches often strike during changes of season. Cluster headache patients describe the pain as burning. The pain is almost always felt on one side of the face. It can last for up to 90 minutes. Then it stops, but it often starts again later the same day. 80 to 90 percent of cluster headache patients have pain over a number of days to a whole year. Pain-free periods separate these periods. 

0:12:21 - Speaker 2

The Cleveland Clinic says the cause of cluster headaches is in a brain area known as a trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway. When the nerve is made active it starts pain linked to cluster headaches. The nerve starts a process that makes one eye watery and red. Studies have shown that activation of the trigeminal nerve may come from a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The Cleveland Clinic says injections of the drug Sumatriptan can help. Many other drugs could be used. For example, doctors say breathing oxygen also can help. Thankfully, modern medicine has ways to treat almost all of our headaches. 

0:13:26 - Speaker 1

This program was written by Gerilyn Watson. Our producer was June Sims. For Barbara Klein, i'm Steve Ember. Visit us at learningenglishvoanewscom, where you can find transcripts and MP3s of our reports. Join us again next week for more news about science on The Voice of America.