Headaches

Headache is one of the most common reasons patients seek the care of a physician.  Although not all headaches require medical attention, some types of headache may indicate more serious disorders.  Prompt medical attention should be obtained if any of the following occur:  sudden and severe headache; headache associated with a stiff neck; headaches associated with fever, convulsions, or loss of consciousness; headaches following trauma to the head, or associated with pain in the eye and/or ear; persistent headache in a person who was previously headache-free; and recurring headache in children.

Certain types of headaches have an allergic basis although most do not. Before you see an allergist-immunologist, you should first visit your primary care physician for evaluation and treatment to eliminate other more common causes of your headaches.  Two types of headaches may possibly be related to allergic disease - "sinus headaches" (facial pain) and migraines headaches.

Sinus headaches and pain occur when the sinuses are swollen and their openings into the nasal passages are blocked. Often the pain is localized over the affected sinus, perhaps causing facial pain rather than a headache.  Similar pain can also be caused by severe nasal congestion, particularly if you have a septal deviation or septal "spur" from a previous nasal injury.

Migraine headaches may be mild or very intense and painful. Migraines are aggravated by sunlight and are frequently accompanied by nausea.  Some data suggest that food allergy may trigger recurrent or persistent migraine headaches in a few patients.  Avoiding these foods can lead to complete or marked relief without the use of medications.  Some migraines are provoked by food additives or food chemicals such as monosodium glutamate (often added to oriental food and packaged foods), tyramine (found in many cheeses), phenylethylamine (found in chocolate) or alcohol.