Nearly everyone has had headache pain, and most of us have
had it many times. A minor headache is little more than a nuisance that's
relieved by an over-the-counter pain reliever, some food or coffee, or a short
rest. But if your headache is severe or unusual, you might worry about stroke,
a tumor, or a blood clot. Fortunately, such problems are rare. Still, you
should know when a headache needs urgent care and how to control the vast
majority of headaches that are not threatening to your health.
Headaches can be more complicated than most people realize.
Different kinds can have their own set of symptoms, happen for unique reasons,
and need different kinds of treatment.
Once you know the type of headache you have, you and your
doctor can find the treatment that’s most likely to help and even try to
prevent them.
What Are the Types of Headaches?
There are
150 different types of headaches. The most common ones are:
1.
Tension headaches
This is the most common type, feel
like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or
back of the head and neck. Not as severe as migraines, they don't usually cause
nausea or vomiting, and they rarely halt daily activities.
Anyone can get a tension headache,
and they’re often triggered by stress.
An over-the-counter (OTC) pain
reliever may be all it takes to relieve your occasional symptoms.
If OTC medications aren’t providing
relief, your doctor may recommend prescription medication.
When a tension headache becomes
chronic, a different course of action may be suggested to address the
underlying headache trigger.
2.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches, which affect
more men than women, are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. You
might get them one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may
last 2 weeks to 3 months. Each headache attack last 15 mins to 3 hours and
often waken the patient from sleep. They are characterized by severe burning
and piercing pain. They occur around or behind one eye or on one side of the
face at a time. Sometimes swelling, redness, flushing, and sweating can occur
on the side that’s affected by the headache. Nasal congestion and eye tearing
also often occur on the same side as the headache.
During an attack, people often feel
restless and unable to get comfortable; they are unlikely to lie down, as
someone with a migraine might. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but
there may be a genetic component. There is no cure, but medication can cut the
frequency and duration.
3.
Migraine
It’s an intense pulsing from deep
within your head. This pain can last for days. The headache significantly
limits your ability to carry out your daily routine. Migraines are throbbing
and usually one-sided. People with migraine headaches are often sensitive to
light and sound. Nausea and vomiting also usually occur.
Although a migraine can come on
without warning, it is often set off by a trigger. The things that set off a
migraine vary from person to person, but a migraine sufferer usually remains
sensitive to the same triggers. Here are the most common ones.
Ø
Changing weather: rising humidity, heat
Ø
Lack of sleep or oversleeping
Ø
Fatigue
Ø
Emotional stress
Ø
Sensory triggers: bright or flickering lights,
loud noises, strong smells
Migraines might run in your
family, or they can be associated with other nervous system conditions. Women
are three times more likely to develop migraines than men. People with
post-traumatic stress disorder also have an increased risk for migraines.
4.
Sinus headaches
With these, you feel a deep and
constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of your nose. They happen
when cavities in your head, called sinuses, get inflamed. The pain usually
comes along with other sinus symptoms, such as a runny nose, feeling of
fullness in the ears, fever, and swelling in your face. A true sinus headache
is from a sinus infection so the nasal discharge is yellow or green, unlike the
clear discharge in cluster or migraine.
5.
Hormone headaches
Women commonly experience headaches
that are linked to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, birth control pills,
and pregnancy all affect your estrogen levels, which can cause a headache.
Those headaches associated specifically with the menstrual cycle are also known
as menstrual migraines. These can occur right before, during, or right after
menses, as well as during ovulation.
6.
Exercise and sex
Sudden, strenuous exercise can
bring on a headache. Gradual warm-ups or treatment with an anti-inflammatory
medication before exercise can help. Sexual intercourse may also trigger
headaches; some men note only dull pain, but others suffer from severe attacks
called orgasmic headaches. Some people can prevent orgasmic headaches by taking
an NSAID 30 to 60 minutes before intercourse.
7.
Hypertension headaches
Except in cases of very high blood
pressure, hypertension does not cause headaches. In fact, most people with high
blood pressure don't have any symptoms at all. But that's no reason to neglect
your blood pressure. Hypertension leads to strokes, heart attacks, heart
failure, and kidney disease, so all men should have their pressure checked, and
then take steps to correct abnormalities.
8.
Rebound headaches
Many drugs number headaches among
their side effects. And although it seems paradoxical, many medications used to
treat headaches can also cause medication overuse headaches or rebound
headaches. Migraine sufferers are particularly vulnerable to a vicious cycle of
pain leading to more medication, which triggers more pain. If you have frequent
headaches and use medication, OTC or prescription, or both, for more than 10 to
15 days a month, you may have medication overuse headaches. The way to find out
is to discontinue or taper your medication but always consult your doctor
first.
When to see your doctor
In most cases, episodic headaches will go away within 48
hours. If you have a headache that lasts more than two days or that increases
in intensity, you should see your doctor for assistance.
If you’re getting headaches more than 15 days out of the
month over a period of three months, you might have a chronic headache
condition. You should see your doctor to find out what’s wrong, even if you’re
able to manage the pain with aspirin or ibuprofen.
Headaches can be a symptom of more serious health
conditions, and some do require treatment beyond OTC medications and home
remedies.
Last word
For most of us, an occasional headache is nothing more than
a temporary speed bump in the course of a busy day. Even so, most of us can
ease the problem with simple lifestyle measures and nonprescription
medications. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga, and acupuncture may also
help. But for some of us, headaches are a big problem. Learn to recognize
warning signs that call for prompt medical care. Work with your doctor to
develop a program to prevent and treat migraines and other serious headaches.
And don't fall into the trap of overusing medications; for some gents, rebound
headaches are the biggest pain of all.
Disclaimer:
The contents on this site are for
informational purposes only. The Content is not meant to be an alternative for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ensure to seek the
advice of your physician or a qualified health professional before starting any
new program.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com
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