Articles by Kathryn Senior on The Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Migraines and Headaches
Migraine Patches: Do They Work and Where Do I Get One?
Migraine patches deliver medication through your skin like nicotine patches, with early trials showing they work as well as nose sprays and injections.
29th March 2026
Can Oxygen Treatment Help Headaches?
Breathing high levels of oxygen can relieve some headaches, particularly cluster headaches, though research remains limited.
21st October 2011
My Sinus Headaches Were a Real Pain: A Case Study
How sinus headaches kept Debbie grounded for years and what finally made flying possible again.
5th January 2011
Why Eyestrain Leads to Headaches
Constant screen time and close-up work strain your eyes and trigger headaches on one or both sides of your head.
4th January 2011
Migraine Classification
Migraines fall into six main types, and knowing which one you have helps you manage the pain and symptoms more effectively.
4th January 2011
Does Stroke Cause Headaches?
Yes, strokes typically cause severe headaches, especially when bleeding occurs in or around the brain tissue.
4th January 2011
Coping with Holiday Headaches
Holiday stress, travel disruptions and changes to your routine can trigger headaches, here's how to prevent them and stay well during your break.
4th January 2011
Butterburr: Pros and Cons
Butterbur reduced migraine frequency by nearly half in clinical trials, but limited research since then makes it hard to know if it's worth trying.
4th January 2011
Aura in Headaches: What Causes It?
Migraine aura causes visual disturbances and other symptoms before headache pain starts, though scientists still don't fully understand why.
4th January 2011
Deep Brain Stimulation and Cluster Headaches
Deep brain stimulation offers hope for cluster headache sufferers when other treatments fail to provide relief.
4th January 2011
You Can Now Get Botox for Migraine
Botox injections are now approved to prevent chronic migraines in people who get headaches at least 15 days a month.
27th September 2010
Scalp Pain: What Causes It?
Scalp pain feels sharp and tingly at the skin's surface, and several conditions including nerve inflammation can cause it.
27th September 2010
I Suffered Whiplash Headaches: A Case Study
Sue's car was hit from behind at a roundabout, leaving her with severe whiplash headaches that lasted years and changed how she manages pain.
27th September 2010
Can Neuromuscular Dentistry Prevent Headaches?
Jaw misalignment might be causing your headaches, here's how neuromuscular dentists approach chronic head pain.
27th September 2010
Do Children Get Migraines?
Yes, children get migraines too, and they often look different from adult migraines with shorter duration but more aura symptoms.
24th September 2010
Trigeminal Neuralgia: Does It Cause Headaches?
Trigeminal neuralgia causes sharp, stabbing pain that can feel like headaches depending on which nerve branch is affected.
24th September 2010
How to Recognise a Concussion Headache
A blow to the head can cause concussion even without losing consciousness, so watch for headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and difficulty concentrating.
24th September 2010
Sleep Apnea and Morning Headaches
Waking up with a headache most mornings could mean you have sleep apnea, especially if you're also snoring and exhausted during the day.
23rd September 2010
Rebound Headaches Nearly Ruined My Life: A Case Study
How overuse of painkillers turned Joel's tension headaches into a chronic condition that nearly destroyed his life.
28th June 2010
Hydrocephalus Caused My Headaches: A Case Study
Mark's severe headaches after meningitis turned out to be hydrocephalus, a fluid buildup in the brain requiring emergency surgery.
22nd June 2010
Why Don't Doctors Prescribe Ergotamines Now?
Ergotamines were once the go-to migraine treatment, but newer drugs have largely replaced them due to harsh side effects and less precise action on the brain.
22nd June 2010
How Do Triptans Treat Migraines?
Triptans work by narrowing dilated blood vessels and rebalancing brain chemicals to relieve severe migraines that don't respond to standard painkillers.
21st June 2010
Can Avoiding Perfume Prevent Migraine?
Strong perfume smells can trigger migraines and allergic reactions in some people, even when you're not wearing it yourself.
18th June 2010
Tension Headaches and the Alexander Technique
How the Alexander Technique tackles tension headaches by fixing your movement habits instead of just taking painkillers.
18th June 2010
Are Migraines Linked with Stroke?
People with migraines, especially those with aura, may have a higher stroke risk, but scientists are still figuring out exactly why.
18th June 2010
Are Sleep Headaches Rare?
Headaches that wake you from sleep are uncommon, but they can signal conditions like hypnic headaches or sleep apnea that need attention.
17th June 2010
What Is a Spinal Tap Headache?
Spinal tap headaches affect about 30% of people who get the procedure and happen when fluid leaks from the spine after the needle is removed.
12th April 2010
How I Cope with Menstrual Headaches: A Case Study
One woman shares how she managed migraines tied to her menstrual cycle after years of being dismissed by doctors.
12th April 2010
What Causes Allergy Headaches?
Sinus congestion and allergies can trigger headaches, but the link to migraines remains unclear and hotly debated.
8th April 2010
Does Using Electronic Devices Cause Headaches?
Research reveals whether heavy screen time and gaming actually trigger headaches in teenagers and young adults.
7th April 2010
What Is the Headache Impact Test?
The Headache Impact Test is a six-question tool that measures how much headaches affect your daily life and activities.
6th April 2010
Watching 3D Films Gives Me a Headache: A Case Study
Jake's repeated 3D cinema trips triggered severe headaches, revealing an eye muscle imbalance his optician diagnosed.
6th April 2010
Can Magnetism Treat Migraines?
Researchers are investigating whether magnetic devices could help reduce migraine pain and frequency, offering hope for people with severe, disabling headaches.
6th April 2010
My Glasses Made My Head Hurt: A Case Study
Rebecca ignored her eye doctor's advice about quality lenses and ended up with headaches, here's what she learned.
24th March 2010
Types of Headache: Facts and Figures
Learn how doctors classify the main types of headaches from migraines to tension headaches and what causes them.
5th October 2009
The Cost of Headaches in the UK
Migraines and headaches cost the UK economy £7 billion a year through lost work days and reduced productivity.
5th October 2009
My Headaches Were Due to an Aneurysm: A Case Study
Claire ignored early warning signs of headaches until a ruptured brain aneurysm nearly killed her, and why those initial symptoms shouldn't have been dismissed.
5th October 2009
I Had a Cough Headache: A Case Study
John's intense headaches triggered by coughing made him fear winter colds for years until he finally sought help.
2nd October 2009
I Get Migraines but No Headache: A Case Study
Rhoda experiences migraine symptoms without head pain after childbirth, leading doctors to initially suspect a stroke.
29th September 2009
My Sports Injury Lead to My Headaches: A Case Study
How a rugby shoulder injury from years ago turned out to be the hidden cause of Keith's chronic headaches.
29th September 2009
Constant Head Pain and Tingling: What Could It Be?
Persistent headaches and tingling sensations need proper medical investigation to rule out underlying causes like eye strain or other conditions.
10th June 2009
Numbness in Head with Pain and Dizziness: What Can It Be?
Head numbness with pain and dizziness can stem from stress, pinched nerves, or hyperventilation, here's what might be causing it.
21st May 2009
Headache with Pins and Needles: Is This Serious?
Pins and needles with your headache could be a migraine symptom, but see your doctor to rule out other causes.
7th April 2009
Pain in Left Temple: What Could It Be?
Left temple pain can stem from migraines, tension, or other causes, here's what might be triggering it and when to see a doctor.
7th April 2009
Do Headache Remedies Make False Claims?
Some painkiller makers have faced regulatory challenges over exaggerated claims about how fast their products work.
3rd April 2009
I Had Acupuncture for Migraine: A Case Study
One woman's migraine attacks improved dramatically after trying acupuncture instead of relying on medication alone.
3rd April 2009
Preventing Migraines with Vitamins
Some migraine sufferers find relief by taking vitamin B and folic acid supplements to reduce attack frequency and severity.
3rd April 2009
Head Injury: Signs That There Could Be Brain Damage
Even minor head injuries can cause serious internal bleeding, so know the warning signs that shouldn't be ignored.
1st April 2009
Telcagepant: A Promising New Migraine Treatment
Telcagepant shows promise as a new migraine treatment that works differently than existing drugs and may be safer for people with heart conditions.
30th March 2009
Can Surgery Relieve Migraine?
A plastic surgeon claims surgery can relieve severe migraines by cutting nerves in the head, but mainstream medicine hasn't accepted the approach.
30th March 2009
Facts and Figures About Headaches
Headaches affect 45 million Americans yearly, with migraines hitting one in ten adults worldwide, here's what the numbers reveal.
27th March 2009
I Took Part in a Clinical Trial: A Case Study
One woman's experience volunteering for a migraine drug trial and why she decided to help advance medical research.
19th January 2009
Living with Cluster Headaches: A Case Study
A history teacher shares what it's really like to live with cluster headaches and how he copes with the debilitating attacks.
16th January 2009
Could My Headache Mean a Brain Tumour?
Most headaches aren't caused by brain tumours, but here's when you should see a doctor about yours.
15th January 2009
My Food Caused My Headaches: A Case Study
How one man discovered his daily headaches weren't caused by stress but by what he was eating.
14th January 2009
Living with Migraine: A Case Study
How a car accident triggered chronic migraines for a 31-year-old accountant and changed his life.
14th January 2009
When to Suspect Meningitis
recognise the warning signs of meningitis, a serious infection that can progress dangerously fast and needs immediate medical attention.
14th January 2009
What Is a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage?
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is bleeding in the space around the brain that requires emergency treatment to prevent permanent damage.
14th January 2009
Hypnotherapy Worked for Me: A Case Study
Laura's tension headaches vanished when she tried hypnotherapy instead of medication, prompting a complete career rethink.
13th January 2009