Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 29, 1987, edition 1 / Page 38
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1 Page 6E - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Tliuwdaf fcctoW 39. it ^ Eye Doctors And Types Of 1 By Dr. Raleigh Bynum Optometrists must be aware of the various implications of the different types of head aches in order to best serve their patients. Eye doctors dealing with patients complain- “ ing of headaches must rule out optometric problems, determining the type of headache and the mechanism causing it, and perform an examination that will assist the next doc tor in evaluating the patient if referral is ne-. cessary. A key point for the doctor to remem ber is that finding an ocular abnormality in a headache does not necessarily establish causality. Eye care practitioners should be aware of the various mechanisms that can trigger headaches and be able to differentiate between those that are trivial and those that I are significant The primary mechanisms that cause headaches include muscle con tractions, dilation of vessels on the surface of the brain, traction on vessels by expanding masses, and inflammation or dysfunction of extraeranial structures, such as the eyes, si nuses, ears, and cervical spine. I prefer the term "muscle contraction head aches” as opposed to tension headaches when speaking of the first type, and always use the ! latter term when talking with the patient Muscle contraction pain or tension head aches usually produce a dull ache, are usual ly located in the back of the head, and are symmetrical, bilateral process that occurs af ter activity or stressful circumstances. It is usually relieved by massage and heat A migraine is a vascular headache due to dilation of the blood vessels and is unilater al, characterized by pulsating or throbbing. If you suspect this type of headache, it is impor tant to establish a preceding neurologic event such as an increasing blind spot - or recog nize a nausea component Women are more prone to this type of headache, and there may be a history of motion sickness in early childhood. Traction headaches can be caused by trac tion pulling on the vessels by mass lesions such as brain tumors that cause increased pressure in the brain and traction on the ves sels. This is considered the most significant headache, because pain from a traction head ache can be surprisingly mild but it can be progressive and is most likely to occur at ,-‘ "Eye caucepn^^anerseJbovdd be that can triicgg headaAeaa^lw that are those that are significant.1 j_ night or upon awakening. .i-There can be changes in behavior, neurologic deficits, vis ual fields defects, or abnormalities in vision or double vision. A sinus headache is often described as a ' * dull aching, is worse in the morning and im proves with erect posture. The headache is made worse by cold weather, bending over, or • shaking of the head and is often alleviated by taking nose drops. The eye practitioner when checking you should check for inflam . jj mation of the eye and Kd. , *> ;,\s Your eye doctor should be concerned with the elderly patient complaining of a soreness in die temporal areas who describes head ache pain as a severe throbbing, stabbing, or burning. This suggests a vascular inflam mation of the vessels in and around the head. If unrecognized, it can progress to neuropa thy and irreversible blindness. It is, howev - er, an uncommon but not rare condition. The optometrist's responsibility lies not " only in ruling in or out visual correctable causes of headaches, but also in identifying - patients at risk for .having another type of headache and referring them for further test ing and confirmation. ^ v ^ 1 Give Plasma ma ia approaching that for whola blood. This is what wa mean when wa say. *Halp Us Help Peo ple Who Naad Plasma.* On the first viat donors ars given a firs# physical examination by the staff medical personnel.' Oth er routine teste are also performed to determine the suitability of a don er's health. The proce dure normally takes sbout two hours and an extra 30-45 minutes on at the physical exam and data collection. Internal Medicine Ggstroenteriogf Doctors i_in fir 1012 S. King* Drum Suite 224 Charlotte, NjC. By Appointment Only 372-0638 Come By To See Marie Today Far Your Home Furnishing And Appliances ;i Furniture City , 4524 So. Boulevard Ope. Marie Leary II Sale* Representative II Dr. Ronald V. Firtwnmn DISORDERS AND SURGERY N.C. FEDERAL CENTER vi m SOUTH TRYON STREET | a*3-4014 Dr. Rocamuol Dawkhts A"«i MJD*r PjIu Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology (704) 377-3427
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 29, 1987, edition 1
38
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