Many have experienced it - the pain of a throbbing headache.
It could be after a long day at work, an argument with a lover or stressing over tomorrow's exam, everyone can relate to the sharp pain of a headache.
In fact, according to a Global Health survey conducted by the Nielsen Company, 61% of South African respondents claimed to have suffered headaches in the last four weeks. Some have it worse; the Migraine Research Foundation also found that every 10 seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room with a headache or migraine due to its severity and pain.
Like most of us, we have no idea what causes them. Yet, everyone has a theory. Some say depending on where the headache hits you, you can determine the exact cause.
For example, some people say if it hits you between the eyes, you stared too long at your computer screen at work. Some say if your temples are throbbing, it's a sign of severe stress.
When a headache hits, most people usually pop a painkiller and go on with life.
Six out of the seven people Sowetan spoke to said they do not take a headache seriously, and mostly rely on headache powders to get rid of it.
But according to Dr Elliot Shevel of The Headache Clinic, popping a pill to dull the pain may not always be the best solution.
TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
For Omphile Tshetlhe of Mogwase, Rustenburg, Shevel's words need to be heeded as a headache needs to be taken seriously. Tshetlhe recalls how she lost her older sister - a high school teacher - after she complained of a mere headache.
"She started having frequent headaches in late 2002. Every single day she would complain about having a headache, and even carried pain killers in her bag. We attributed it to her work stress, and told her she just needed a holiday away from the school kids.
"Then in May of 2003, after one evening of complaining about a headache, she simply did not wake up," Tshetlhe recalls.
She says the family were left baffled by how a simple headache could kill someone.
"Since then I now know that if a headache persists, you need to see someone about it, and fast!" Tshetlhe says.
Can headaches be fatal?
"The vast majority cannot, but if the headache is caused by a brain tumour or infection, or bleeding into the brain, it can be fatal. That is why it is always vital to do a neurological assessment first to make sure there is no life-threatening condition if you suffer from recurrent headache spells," Shevel says.
Here is another sobering thought. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines and headaches rank in the top 20 of the world's most disabling medical illnesses.
Shevel explains the side-effects of taking any pain medication.
"Pills and medication are the worst solution to a headache - the best solution is to have a diagnosis by experts to find out where the pain is coming from, and treat the cause. In some patients a head massage does help, but it will only help during an attack - it will not prevent attacks. At The Headache Clinic we emphasise preventive treatment so that medication and pills are no longer necessary."
Shevel also tackles the issue of people who are addicted to headache medication, a condition that, surprisingly, most people suffer from.
DON'T BECOME ADDICTED
Lindiwe Mathebula of Dobsonville, Soweto, says her aunt is a fan of Grand-Pa headache powder and she is convinced that she is addicted.
"She started taking it years ago, and now she literally takes it every day, even without having a headache. It's like she gets a headache from not consuming the headache medication, which is ironic. I know a neighbour like that too," she says.
Shevel says this is very common and that most people are not aware that the constant use of headache medication leads to the depletion of endorphins (the body's happy hormones), and eventually kills the body's ability to fight pain.
"People should be careful of all headache medications. There is a condition called Medication Overuse Headache, which means that the pain medication you take for the pain, actually - in the long run - causes the headaches to become worse and more and more frequent," Shevel says.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
That throbbing headache - what's the best thing to do
Many have experienced it - the pain of a throbbing headache.
It could be after a long day at work, an argument with a lover or stressing over tomorrow's exam, everyone can relate to the sharp pain of a headache.
In fact, according to a Global Health survey conducted by the Nielsen Company, 61% of South African respondents claimed to have suffered headaches in the last four weeks. Some have it worse; the Migraine Research Foundation also found that every 10 seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room with a headache or migraine due to its severity and pain.
Like most of us, we have no idea what causes them. Yet, everyone has a theory. Some say depending on where the headache hits you, you can determine the exact cause.
For example, some people say if it hits you between the eyes, you stared too long at your computer screen at work. Some say if your temples are throbbing, it's a sign of severe stress.
When a headache hits, most people usually pop a painkiller and go on with life.
Six out of the seven people Sowetan spoke to said they do not take a headache seriously, and mostly rely on headache powders to get rid of it.
But according to Dr Elliot Shevel of The Headache Clinic, popping a pill to dull the pain may not always be the best solution.
TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
For Omphile Tshetlhe of Mogwase, Rustenburg, Shevel's words need to be heeded as a headache needs to be taken seriously. Tshetlhe recalls how she lost her older sister - a high school teacher - after she complained of a mere headache.
"She started having frequent headaches in late 2002. Every single day she would complain about having a headache, and even carried pain killers in her bag. We attributed it to her work stress, and told her she just needed a holiday away from the school kids.
"Then in May of 2003, after one evening of complaining about a headache, she simply did not wake up," Tshetlhe recalls.
She says the family were left baffled by how a simple headache could kill someone.
"Since then I now know that if a headache persists, you need to see someone about it, and fast!" Tshetlhe says.
Can headaches be fatal?
"The vast majority cannot, but if the headache is caused by a brain tumour or infection, or bleeding into the brain, it can be fatal. That is why it is always vital to do a neurological assessment first to make sure there is no life-threatening condition if you suffer from recurrent headache spells," Shevel says.
Here is another sobering thought. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines and headaches rank in the top 20 of the world's most disabling medical illnesses.
Shevel explains the side-effects of taking any pain medication.
"Pills and medication are the worst solution to a headache - the best solution is to have a diagnosis by experts to find out where the pain is coming from, and treat the cause. In some patients a head massage does help, but it will only help during an attack - it will not prevent attacks. At The Headache Clinic we emphasise preventive treatment so that medication and pills are no longer necessary."
Shevel also tackles the issue of people who are addicted to headache medication, a condition that, surprisingly, most people suffer from.
DON'T BECOME ADDICTED
Lindiwe Mathebula of Dobsonville, Soweto, says her aunt is a fan of Grand-Pa headache powder and she is convinced that she is addicted.
"She started taking it years ago, and now she literally takes it every day, even without having a headache. It's like she gets a headache from not consuming the headache medication, which is ironic. I know a neighbour like that too," she says.
Shevel says this is very common and that most people are not aware that the constant use of headache medication leads to the depletion of endorphins (the body's happy hormones), and eventually kills the body's ability to fight pain.
"People should be careful of all headache medications. There is a condition called Medication Overuse Headache, which means that the pain medication you take for the pain, actually - in the long run - causes the headaches to become worse and more and more frequent," Shevel says.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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