UHAM063

46 * UNDERSTANDING HEADACHES AND M IG RAI N ES sources: television and Computer screens, and fluorescent lighting. Watching a lot of television, playing Computer games excessively, and being exposed to artificial lights, either at home or at work or in the form of neon lights in cities, all may contribute to light pollution headaches or migraines. Furthermore, it is very common for people at work to be using computers most of the day while sitting under fluorescent strip lights. The potential for a problem is therefore greater in these circumstances. In no circumstances should you use a fluorescent light when it starts to flicker. Investigate the problem immediately and correct it, or simply do not use the light. If a light at work flickers, report it immediately. Flickering lights are even morę of a problem, because they can trigger an epileptic seizure even in people who are not diagnosed as epileptic. It is relatively rare, but possible.

Neuralgia

This is pain generated from a particular nerve in the face; it is not strictly a headache, although some people may think it is. Others may confuse it for toothache. It is very strong and often occurs in response to a trigger such as wind on the face or putting your head on a pillow. People with neuralgia usually experience a ‘lightning strike’ of pain down one side of the face, mainly over the cheek. It can also be mistaken for a cluster headache.

Rarer causes

Altitude changes

One could argue that this is a rare cause for most readers of this book, sińce the majority will not live in mountainous areas or regularly travel up and down. However, a lot of people on earth do this, and tourists and sports figures also experience altitude sickness. Most people will be aware of some of the aspects of this, but may not be aware of the intense headache or migraine that can be brought on by changes in altitude. The following account best demonstrates what can happen.

^bb I experienced altitude sickness, in the form of severe headache, in the Peruvian Andes. Having never been at high altitude before, so having no idea whether or not I would be affected by altitude sickness, or in what way, I had taken recommended precautions to avoid it, such as drinking large amounts of water, sucking glucose sweets, and avoiding alcohol.