Hello,
This sounds like a migraine
headache.
Your description of the
headache as well as your positive family history makes it the most likely diagnosis. Migraine is very common, and is one of the most debilitating
headaches.
Migraine is a chronic condition of recurrent attacks of
headache. Most (but not all) migraine attacks are associated with
headaches. Migraine
headaches usually are described as an intense, throbbing or pounding
pain that involves one temple.
Sometimes the
pain can be located in the forehead, around the eye, or the back of the head. The
pain usually is unilateral (on one side of the head), although about a third of the time the
pain is bilateral. The unilateral
headaches typically change sides from one attack to the next.
Migraine
headache may be preceded by an Aura of migraine, in which people may have numbness in one side of the face, flashes of light,
nausea etc
Tension
headaches to the contrary often begin in the back of the head and upper neck as a band-like tightness or pressure. Tension
headaches also are described as a band of pressure encircling the head with the most intense
pain over the eyebrows.
The
pain of tension
headaches usually is mild (not disabling) and bilateral (affecting both sides of the head). Tension
headaches are not associated with an aura and are seldom associated with
nausea,
vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Tension
headaches usually occur sporadically (infrequently and without a pattern) but can occur frequently and even daily in some people. Most people are able to function despite their tension
headaches.
B blockers like (propranolol) is usually prescribed to treat migraine, however, it is more functioning when used before the onset of the
headache. It also causes other neurologic symptoms like light-headedness, mental
depression manifested by insomnia, and weakness.
Other causes to be excluded are chronic sinusitis, ear problems, and
epilepsy. There is unexplained variable association between migraine and
epilepsy, in some reports migraine proceeds
seizures development, or coexist together. They both are induced by the same factors like hormones,
anxiety, stress and alcohol. EEG is helpful.
ENT examination would be useful to exclude sinus and ear problems.
If these are excluded then neurologic consultation for exclusion of
epilepsy would be helpful.
I would advise you to follow up with your doctor and to discuss with him your concerns.
Hope you find this information useful.
Please keep us updated.
This answer does not substitute for direct medical consultation.
Dr. Safaa Mahmoud.
MB BCh, MSc Internal Medicine. MD Medical Oncology.
PhD Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science.
