UHAM070

THE CAUSES OF HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE * 53

HELPFUL TIPS

HELPFUL TIPS! HELPFUL TIPS! HELPFUL

Take precautions when stripping or sanding down old paints, sińce the dust you are creating could be highly toxic.

Bacterial and viral infection

Meningitis can be caused by both bacterial and viral infection, but it is the bacterial form that is morę łiarmful. In the worst cases it progresses extremely rapidly and causes death. However, this is not what usually happens, and there is a very good recovery ratę. Meningitis is very rare, but there are ‘outbreaks’ at certain times which can cause concern, especially when they are sensationalised in the press. The symptoms include headaches, but also a fever, neck stiffness, vomiting, hypersensitivity to light and a rash of pink or purple blemishes which do not recede when pressure is applied to them. Meningitis usually affects children and younger people, but can affect anyone. Again, it is extremely rare, but if you do know someone who starts to have a fever, stiff neck, headaches, a rash, nausea and cannotbear light (or a smaller set of these symptoms) then contact a doctor immediately. Please bear in mind, however, that migraines themselves can also be associated with photophobia (dislike of light). If you have orńy a strong headache and a desire to sit in the dark, you are almost certainly experiencing a migraine rather than signs of meningitis.

Benign tumours

These are essentially lumps of tissue in thebrain which will not spread. Because they are not likely to grow, in many ways the worst has already happened. Surgery can be performed to remove the tumour, sińce it is a distinct object that can be found within the brain. Sometimes, the tumour can be left where it is, if the doctors are satisfied that it is not causing any significant problems for the patient. The signs and symptoms are similar to those listed below for malign ant tumours.

Malignant tumours

These are also lumps in the brain, but this time they are likely to grow and spread. They are what most people cali cancer, although strictly speaking