2007-02-01 20:34:13 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
Headaches are generally caused by vaso-dilation. That is when the blood vessels of the brain open up and let an increased amount of blood flow through the brain. The increase in size of the veins and arteries puts added pressure inside the skull and causes pain. Headaches can also be caused by the pain of swollen sinuses, injury, drugs, and dehydration (like during a hangover).
Fevers are the body's response to infection. The infection can be either bacterial or viral. The human body's immune system has several mechanism it uses to kill the pathogens. One is phagocytosis. That's when white blood cells engulf and destroy the germs. Most germs that infect humans have an ideal operating temperature (usually 98'6 degrees). They thrive at this temperature and are able to multiply. Fever is caused when the body increases its normal temperature in order to kill, or stop the germ from increasing in number.
It is actually not a good idea to take an antipyretic (fever reducer), like Tylenol or Aspirin, the moment one detects a fever. They bring down the temp. and make you feel more comfortable, but they also increase the length of time it takes to get the 'bug' out of your system. On the other hand, running a high fever for long periods of time can result in damage to certain organs. You've got to use discretion, keep a thermometer handy, and watch for fevers over 101 degrees.
2007-02-01 20:57:00 · answer #1 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hypochondria, nothing else.
2007-02-01 20:42:22 · answer #2 · answered by ErikWithBrain 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋