Headache can be more complicated than most people imagine. Different types of symptoms can arise for personal reasons and may require different treatments. By knowing the type of headache, you and your doctor can choose the treatment that will work best for you and prevent it.
Types of Headache
Some of the different types of headaches include:
Tension headache
This is primarily a common form of headache. The pain usually develops slowly over the course of the day.
A person may feel:
It’s like you have a tight bandage on your head
Dull, constant pain on both sides of the head
Neck pain or neck pain
Tension headaches include:
Temporary: These attacks usually last for several hours, but can last for several days.
Chronic: these are tension headaches that occur more than 15 days per month for at least 3 months.
Learn more about tension headaches.
Migraine:
Migraines can be painful, throbbing, and throbbing. Often found on one side of the head, but the sides can be reversed.
Between episodes, you may also encounter:
Sensory disturbances such as vision changes called energetic
Sensitivity to light or sound
Nausea, possibly vomiting
Migraine is the second most common form of primary headache. They can have a huge impact on your quality of life.
Migraine episodes can last from several hours to 2-3 days. The frequency of episodes can vary widely. They can occur from once a week to once a year.
Headaches related to substance abuse
This was once known as a rebound headache. It happens when a person uses drugs too often to treat a headache.
Headaches associated with substance abuse are usually caused by taking opioid-based medications such as codeine and an anvil.
In addition to headaches, people may experience the following:
Neck Pain
Nervousness
Poor quality of sleep
Symptoms vary and the pain can change from day to day.
According to the British charity The Migraine Trust, people with migraines often have headaches from excessive drug use. They can cause migraine attacks that occur more frequently and get worse.
Paroxysmal headache
These headaches can usually occur 1 to 8 times a day for 15 minutes to 3 hours.
Cluster headaches often occur within 4 to 12 weeks and then go away. Typically, they occur at around the same time every day.
Groups can be asymptomatic. These periods of remission can last for months or years.
Cluster headaches often include:
Short-term but severe pain
Pain around one eye
Watery or red eyes
Droopy eyelids
Stuffy or runny nose
Small pupil in one eye
Sweat on the face
See Cluster headaches.
Thunder headaches
They are sudden, severe headaches, and people often describe them as “the worst headache of my life”. They reach their maximum intensity in less than a minute and last for more than 5 minutes.
Thunder headaches are secondary headaches that can indicate the following life-threatening conditions:
Aneurysm
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
Meningitis
Pituitary apocalypse
Bleeding in the brain
Coagulation of the brain
People suffering from these sudden and severe headaches should seek immediate medical attention.
What causes headaches?
The pain you experience with a headache is due to the mixing of signals between nerves near blood vessels in the brain. Certain nerves in the blood vessels and muscles in the head activate and send pain signals to the brain. However, it is not known how this signal is initially activated.
Common causes of headaches include:
Illness. These include infections, colds, and fevers. Headaches are also common for symptoms such as sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), throat infection, and otitis media. In some cases, the headache can be the result of a blow to the head or, in rare cases, a sign of a more serious health problem.
Tired. Emotional stress and depression, alcohol use, skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, and excessive drug use. Other causes include neck and back sprains due to poor posture.
Environment like second-hand smoke, strong smell of household chemicals and perfumes and foods that cause allergies. Stress, pollution, noise, lighting and climate change are other possible triggers.
Genetic. Headaches, especially migraines, tend to occur in families. Most children and adolescents (90%) with migraines have other families with migraines. If parents have a history of migraines, the chances are 70% that children will also suffer from migraines. If only one parent has a headache, the risk is reduced to 25-50%.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly what triggers migraines. The theory suggests that the problem of passing an electrical charge through nerve cells causes a series of changes that trigger migraines.
Too many physical works can also effects migraines in adults.
How are headaches treated?
Doctors sometimes recommend trying different treatments. They may also offer additional tests or refer you to a headache specialist.
The type of headache treatment you need depends on a number of factors, including the type, frequency, and cause of the headache that occurs. Some people don’t need medical attention. However, anyone who does can get medicines, electronic medical devices, counseling, stress management, and biofeedback. Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
What happens after starting the treatment?
When starting a treatment program, it keeps track of how it works. A headache diary helps you record mood patterns and changes. We wait patiently as we know it may take some time for you and your doctor to find the best treatment plan. Be honest with them about what works and what doesn’t.
Even if you are undergoing medical treatment, you don’t know that food or smells can cause headaches. It is also important to maintain healthy habits such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating. You can also schedule appointments with your doctor so the doctor can see you and change your treatment schedule if needed.
Home remedies
Some treatment strategies can help prevent headaches and relieve pain. So, anyone can:
Use a hot pack or ice on your head and neck, but avoid extreme temperatures and don’t apply ice directly to your skin.
Avoid stressors whenever possible and use healthy strategies to deal with inevitable stress.
Eat regularly while keeping your blood sugar level stable.
Follow your normal daily routine to get enough sleep while keeping your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
Exercise regularly to improve your overall health and relieve stress.
Limit your alcohol to take and drink plenty of water.
Take a break during your workout so you don’t strain your eyes.