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  3. Headaches Explained A headache is a symptom, not a disease. A headache is rarely the symptom of a serious illness, but sever

Headaches Explained A headache is a symptom, not a disease. A headache is rarely the symptom of a serious illness, but sever

admin2013-02-05  41
问题                                        Headaches Explained
    A headache is a symptom, not a disease. A headache is rarely the symptom of a serious illness, but severe or frequent headaches can be exhausting and can affect daily life. There are three basic types of headaches: vascular headache, muscle contraction headache, and inflammatory headache.
Vascular headaches
    The vascular headache occurs when blood vessels in the head enlarge and press on nerves, causing pain. The most common vascular headache is the migraine(偏头痛). One theory about migraine headaches is that they occur when the blood vessels in the head expand and press on the nerves, causing pain. Another theory is that they result from the blood vessels constricting and thus blocking blood flow to parts of the brain; this may cause the visual suffering that often accompany or precede a migraine headache. The blood vessels then become full of blood and press on surrounding nerves, causing pain.
    Women are more easy to suffer migraines than are men, and a certain personality type compulsive, perfectionist, and very success oriented seems to be more likely to be affected with migraine headaches.
Causes
    A number of physical and emotional factors may contribute to migraine headaches. Migraines may be triggered by a sharp reduction in caffeine intake or by allergies to certain foods. Emotional stress can also cause migraine headaches, as can drinking alcohol,　smoking,　or an interruption in routine eating and sleeping habits (all of which may be responsible for "weekend" headaches suffered by some patients). Cyclical, seasonal, or emotional factors may also be associated with the tendency to develop migraine headaches. A tendency to develop this type of headache may be inherited.
Symptoms
    The predominant symptom of a migraine headache is a sharp pain on one or both sides of the head. Paleness, sweating,　and sensitivity to light may accompany the pain. A warning sensation may indicate an approaching migraine headache. Before the pain begins, some individuals may see flashing lights or "shooting stars", hear noises, or have an uncomfortable feeling in the arms or legs.
Diagnosis
    Vascular headaches are diagnosed by a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the headaches as well as by a physical examination to rule out any other disorder that might be causing the symptoms. Elimination tests may be done to identify the exact cause of migraines suffered by people who seem to react to certain foods or changes in eating and sleeping habits. In an elimination test, all the substances that are suspected of causing the trouble are eliminated and then reintroduced one at a time to identify the specific cause of the migraine headaches.
Treatment
    Treatment of a migraine already in progress usually consists of a drug therapy program chosen from a variety of painkillers, tranquilizers, and special prescribed medications.
Prevention
    Prevention of migraines is possible with several types of medication. Antidepressant drugs and beta-blockers have been shown to prevent migraines in some patients. These drugs work in the body to block what are called the beta effects, one of which is expansion of the blood vessels. While it is not yet known exactly how these drugs provide relief research suggests that they act by preventing the initial constriction of blood vessels that causes migraine.
Muscle Contraction Headaches
    A muscle contraction headache occurs when muscles of the face, neck, or scalp remain tightened for long periods of time. These muscles are then said to be in spasm(痉挛). A tension headache is an example of a muscle contraction headache.
Causes
    A muscle contraction headache usually occurs after a specific event that has caused the muscles to tense. The tension is then translated into physical discomfort in the form of a clenched jaw, aching neck, and tightened muscles of the face and head. Muscle contraction headaches can also be brought about by abnormalities in the eyes, neck, teeth, or jaws or by poor posture-especially by holding the head at an awkward angle while reading, driving, or watching television.
Symptoms
    The major symptom of these headaches is a tight, squeezing pain in the forehead or jaws or around the back of the head or neck. This constant, dull pain usually occurs on both sides of the head.
Diagnosis
    Diagnostic evaluation involves a review of the events that usually precede the headaches, as well as a physical examination to rule out any other disorder that might he causing them. A psychological examination may also be conducted to detect any emotional problems that may be contributing to the headaches.
Treatment
    Treatment usually begins with eliminating the tension or correcting the physical problem that is causing the headaches. Painkillers, muscle relaxants, and-tranquilizers may occasionally be used to treat muscle contraction headaches. Also, antidepressant drugs may be effective in preventing the headaches in those individuals who suffer from them regularly.
Inflammatory Headaches
    An inflammatory headache is caused by pressure within the head, due to any of a variety of disorders.
Causes
    Clogged sinuses(窦) and sinus infections are probably the chief cause of this type of headache. The sinuses are the cavities within the facial bones. When mucus(粘液), which normally flows freely through the sinuses and drains down the nasopharynx(鼻咽) or out the nose, cannot drain properly, it collects in the sinuses and causes excess pressure un the surrounding tissues, leading to headache.
    Other causes of inflammatory headaches include a brain tumor. Brain tumors are usually associated with swelling in the surrounding tissues, which may cause increased pressure within the skull and, as a result, a dull, constant painful headache. Anyone who experiences the abrupt onset of a severe headache or "the worst headache of my life" should seek medical evaluation immediately.
    High blood pressure, which causes blood to rush through the vessels with too great a force; infectious, which inflame sensitive tissue; and fever, which may enlarge the blood vessels, can also cause headache due to excess pressure within the skull.
Symptoms
    The symptoms of an inflammatory headache are a dull, aching pain, often occurring early in the day,　accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the head. The pain is heightened by sneezing, coughing, bending over, or doing anything that increases the amount of blood in the head.
Diagnosis
    This type of headache is diagnosed by determining first whether sinus problems are causing it. If not,the doctor may order an electroencephalogram(EEG), which is a visual record of electrical activity in the brain; X-ray studies; a computed tomographic(CT) scan, which provides a cross-sectional picture of the brain; or a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) study, which yields images comparable to those obtained with CT but without  the use of X-rays. These tests can detect the presence of a tumor, or other abnormality in: the brain that may be responsible for causing the headache.
Treatment
    Inflammatory headaches are treated according to their causes those triggered by a sinus infection can be treated with painkillers, antibiotics to fight the infection. Headaches resulting from more serious disorders, such as a brain tumor, will almost certainly require further evaluation and treatment.
Prevention
    Prevention of these headaches is sometimes possible if the cause is as simple as a sinus infection. For example, if you suffer from frequent sinus headaches, you should stop smoking. Smokers seem particularly prone to sinus infections.
    The inflammatory headache is some whit different from the migraine and muscle contraction types, but all three obviously have this in common: They can be extremely painful.
选项 A、Y
B、N
C、NG
答案B
解析 由题干中的not a disease和daily life定位到文章首段第1、2句A headache is a symptom，not a disease…but severe or frequent headaches can be exhausting and can affect daily life．题干中的cause serious influence on our daily life与原文中的affect daily life属同义转述；题干中的it will not cause serious influence on our daily life和原文中的can be exhausting and can affect daily life相矛盾，故题干表述错误。
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