years of headaches

[dudabug]

my husband has been suffering from major headaches for years.  He is now starting with dizzy spells quite often, and a new symptom just came up.  He has a swollen place on the back of his head that brings him to tears if anyone or anything touches it.  I am trying to get him to the doctor but he will not go.  He says, I know my body and I will go when I feel I need to.  What other signs does he need?  what could this be?

[DrRakeshMD]

Hi Dear

Removal of fluid from the back is called lumbar puncture. The watery substance removed is the cerebrospinal fluid which exists in the brain and spinal cord. The analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is done to diagnose certain disorders that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) including viral and bacterial infections, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barr syndrome (an inflammation of the nerves) etc.


Best..

[dudabug]

my husband is now in the hospital, they have ruled out migraine, vertigo, and inner ear.  They say he has failed some of the neurological testing his left eye is very slow, he can not touch his nose, and other things.  They say the results of the mri are not letting them rule out ms, and a few other things, they are going to do a Lumbar puncture today to get some brain fluid to test some more things.  What are they looking for and what could the other things be?

[DrRakeshMD]

Hi

Your husband may be suffering from a condition called migraine. Usually migraine causes episodes of severe or moderate periodic headache (which is often one-sided and pulsating) lasting from four to 72 hours, and accompanied by gastrointestinal upsets, such as nausea and vomiting. Patients often experience dizziness too. Migraine attacks may be triggered by bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes, physical or emotional stress, dehydration, alcohol or caffeine  foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods etc. How frequently has he been suffering from episodes of headaches? Incase the episodes are frequent, he may have to begin with the prophylactic therapy for migraines. Please visit a physician to find out the appropriate cause. Also, the swelling at the back of the hand is not related to the headaches, and might be an acute inflammatory boil which needs treatment with antibiotics.

Best..