Headache

Headache – probably the commonest complaint a doctor hears – is a symptom, not a disease, and such is almost always accompanied by other signs and symptoms that help point toward the underlying causes. Sometimes the explanation is obvious – for example, a severe blow on the head (concussion headache), or a recent shocking emotional experience. But usually less obvious causes have to be traced down and treated for permanent relief from headache and its recurrence. Temporary relief is often easy to accomplish.

Getting rid of a headache. An occasional mild headache can be treated at home. A good night’s sleep or even a few hours’ nap are often enough to relieve a simple headache, especially one induced by fatigue. Eating and drinking sometimes relieves a headache, especially if brought on by skipping a meal. A cup of coffee helps some people, but increases headache in others. A warm (not too hot!) bath or cold shower, two forms of hydrotherapy, may also work. Change of position sometimes helps; sitting up may be more comfortable than lying down. Quietly reclining is generally valuable.

Other maneuvers that may be safely tried for immediate relief of an occasional headache include:

Dousing the face with cold water. Applying mild astringent lotions (e.g. after-shave lotions) to the face. Gently massaging the scalp. Combing and brushing the hair. Comfortably massaging the muscles at the back of the neck. Applying a cold compress (even a wet handkerchief or washcloth) to the forehead. Applying an ice bag to the front, side, back, or top of the head. Taking aspirin, if you know you are not sensitive to aspirin. Younger children should not be given aspirin without a doctor’s specific order. Aspirin should be followed by at least a few swallows of water, preferably more.

Headache remedies. Numerous headache remedies are on the market, sold in drugstores without medical prescription. Some fizz; some do not. The fizz is no therapeutic advantage. Few, if any, of these remedies are more effective than plain aspirin; they just cost more. Their active ingredient is usually the same as that in aspirin, a form of salicylic acid. Caffeine, the active drug in coffee and tea, is sometimes added. Some so-called headache remedies contain sedative drugs, like salts of bromine (bromides), whose continued use in excessive doses can be harmful.

Assignments.

1. Define ing-forms. Translate the sentences:

1) His being sent to the Congress of Anatomists was useful to him.

2) I remember having been reported this interesting case.

3) On having received the necessary findings of our experiments we summarized them in the article published recently.

4) The initial diagnosis must be made before the patient’s being directed to the in-patient department.

2. a) Choose the appropriate participle from those given in brackets. Translate the sentences:

1) … the necessary fluid we could continue our experiments. (having obtained; having been obtained; being obtained)

2) … for a prolonged period of time the patient made a complete recovery. (being treated; having been treated; having treated)

3) … by the physician the patient was complaining of an acute pain in the substernal area. (having been examined; being examined; having examined)

b) Choose the appropriate gerund from those given in brackets. Translate the sentences:

1) The results of the treatment of the patient depend on his … in time. (having been operated on; being operated on; having operated on; operating)

2) I want my electrocardiogram … by 3 o’clock. (being taken; having been taken; having taken)

3. a)* Substitute subordinate clauses for the gerund:

1) The physician remembered that he had treated such a case of bronchitis.

2) We are interested how moist rales are determined in case of bronchitis.

3) I don’t mind if you operate on me.

b) Use the appropriate participle from the Infinitive given in brackets:

1) (to make) the discovery of filterable viruses Dmitry Ivanovsky determined the cause of the tobacco mosaic disease.

2) The book “The Anatomy of Cardiac Blood Vessels” (to compose) by S. Samoylova after her numerous investigations was published in 1970.

3) On having performed the operation the surgeon must carry out all the procedures (to prevent) from the infection.

4) (to relieve) of all the painful symptoms the male patient fell asleep.

c) Translate paying attention to the prepositions before the gerund:

1) On changing the administered treatment the physician considered that the patient’s condition would become better.

2) In making scientific observations one must be particularly careful.

3) Cardiac impairments are revealed by taking electrocardiograms.

4) Blood cannot be transfused without its group determined first.

d) Choose the appropriate verb. Translate the sentences:

1) When does the physician (expect, wait for) to discharge this patient from the hospital?

2) Please (wait for, expect) the doctor a little. He will be back soon.

3) The scientist (expected, waited for) that his investigations would enable him to determine the origin of the infectious process.

V. Переведите текст со словарем, обращая внимание на перевод герундия.