Types of headaches

Do you suffer from headaches? If so, you are not alone.

Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints in the world. There are many types of headaches, each requiring a different treatment approach. Here, we will discuss the different types of headaches and how to treat them. We will also provide some helpful tips for preventing headaches.

  1. primary headaches 
  2. secondary headaches. 

Primary headaches are clinical conditions that must be diagnosed through examination or imaging studies. A migraine is a primary headache. 

A secondary headache is because of another health problem.

The most common types of headaches are:

  • Tension-type headache
  • Cluster headache
  • Sinus Headache
  • Migraine headache

Tension headache

Tension headaches are a type of headache that is mild to severe and characterized by a constricting band around the head.

Symptoms of a tension-type headache include

  • Dull, aching head pain
  • Feeling tightness across the forehead
  • Pressure on the sides of the head
  • feeling headache back of head
  • Tenderness in the scalp and neck.

Treatment of tension headache

Tension-type headaches can be treated with various therapies. Managing a tension-type headache generally helps in achieving a healthy lifestyle. Different medicines are used to treat tension headaches like Antidepressants, triptans, and pain killers as prescribed by the doctor.

Cluster Headache

Sinus headaches are characterized by a severe throbbing, itching, or pressure in the sinuses (sinusitis). Pressure may be felt around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs.

Symptoms of sinus headache 

The most common symptoms of sinus headaches may include:

Treatment of Sinus headache

  • Pain or pressure or fullness in the cheeks, eyebrows, or the forehead
  • Worsening bad pain when you bend forward or lie down
  • Stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Achy feeling in the upper teeth
  • Apply a heated compress to painful areas of the face
  • Use a decongestant to thin mucus and allow it to drain.
  • Saline nasal spray or drops can be used to reduce swelling in the sinuses.
  • Warm, humid air may help with sinus congestion.
  • Decongestants and Antibiotics are given by the doctor

Cluster headaches are one type of headache that can be particularly debilitating. Cluster headaches typically occur in cycles, with periods of pain followed by remission. Cluster headaches are often brought on by specific triggers, such as alcohol or stress.

If you suffer from cluster headaches, it is essential to identify your triggers and avoid them if possible.

 Symptoms of Cluster headache

  • Pain behind or around one eye that can radiate to the face, head, and neck
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive tearing
  • Eye redness on the affected side
  • Stuffy or runny nose on the side which is affected.

Treatment of Cluster headache

Treatment typically involves medication, such as painkillers or triptans. Cluster headache sufferers may also find relief from acupuncture or other alternative therapies.

Sinus headaches

Is it Sinusitis or migraine?

Migraine and sinusitis head pain are sometimes confused due to the overlapping symptoms between the two types of headaches. When you bend forward, both migraine and sinusitis headache worsens. Nausea, vomiting, facial pressure, congestion, and a watery nasal discharge are signs of a migraine headache. Sinusitis, on the other hand, is not connected with nausea or vomiting. A thick nasal discharge because of a sinus headache shows infection and causes fever.

What Is a Migraine headache? What does it feel like?

Migraine headaches are painful types of headaches. Migraines often occur in conjunction with specific triggers, such as weather changes, bright lights, or strong smells.

A migraine is a throbbing headache that can be severe or a pulsating sensation on one side of the head, which is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

What is Aura?

Auras are a set of sensory, motor, and speech symptoms that appear to act as warning signals that a migraine headache is near to start. The sign may occur before, during, or even after the pain associated with a migraine. Auras last between ten and 60 minutes, on average. Around 15% to 20% of people who have migraines experience aura symptoms.

Auras are reversible, which means they may be terminated or cured.

 Symptoms of the aura are:

  • Seeing bright flashing dots, sparkles, or lights.
  • Blind spots in vision.
  • Speech changes.
  • Ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
  • Temporary vision loss.
  • Seeing wavy or jagged lines
  • Changes in smell or taste.

Types of migraines?

There are several types of migraines:
  • Around 15% to 20% of people experience migraine headaches with an aura.
  • This is a common type of migraine headache.
  • It starts without the warning signs of aura.
  • Symptoms of both migraines are the same, but that phase of aura doesn’t happen in this type.
  •  
  • This is called “Silent migraine” or “acephalgic migraine,”
  • This type involves the aura symptom but involves no headache.
  • This type of headache involves temporary paralysis (hemiplegia) or neurological or sensory changes on one side of your body.
  • Headache starts with temporary numbness.
  • The patient feels extreme weakness on one side of his body.
  • A tingling sensation or a loss of sensation
  • Dizziness or vision changes.
  • It may or may not be accompanied by head pain, depending on the situation.
  •  
  • There is a temporary, partial, or complete loss of vision in one of the eyes, along with a dull ache behind the eye spread to the rest of the head.
  • Vision loss may be for a minute or as long as months.
  • You should visit a doctor if you have a retinal migraine since it might indicate something worse.
  • A migraine with at least 15 days of occurrence per month is called chronic migraine.
  • The symptoms may vary, and the pain may fluctuate in intensity.
  • Those suffering from chronic migraines might take headache pain medications ten to fifteen days each month
  • You’ll have dizziness, slurred speech, double vision, or loss of balance before the headache with this migraine.
  • The throbbing pain in your head may arise in the back of your head.
  • These symptoms are generally sudden and can be linked to a loss of voice function, hearing difficulties, and vomiting.
  • This severe, rare migraine can last more than three days.
  • The pain and nausea might be severe.
  • Certain medicines or stopping drug therapy can trigger this type of headache.

Who gets migraines? What are the risk factors?

It’s tough to forecast who will get a migraine and who won’t, but there are several risk factors:

Genetics:

 People who have a family member with migraine headaches have an 80% chance of acquiring the condition.

Gender:

Women are more affected by migraine headaches as compared to men, especially those aged 15 and 55. It's more prevalent in women since hormones have an impact.

Stress level:

If you're under stress, you might get migraines more often. A migraine may be caused by stress.

How often does it happen?

The frequency of migraine might vary from once a year to once a week or any value in between. The most typical occurrence is two to four migraine attacks each month.

What are the symptoms of migraines?

A headache is the most common symptom of migraine. Pain is said to be pounding or throbbing. A dull pain may progress into pulsating discomfort, which might be light, moderate, or severe in intensity. Your pain might become mild to severe if it is neglected. The pain can move from one area of the head to the other side, or it can radiate across your whole head.

Some people experience discomfort in their face, sinuses, jaw, or neck due to migraine.

Other symptoms of migraine headaches include:

  • Sensitivity to light, noise, and odors.
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Feeling very warm (sweating) or cold (chills)
  • Pale skin color (pallor)
  • Feeling tired
  • Dizziness and blurred vision
  • Tender scalp
  • Diarrhea (rare)
  • Fever (rare)

The length of migraine varies; however, severe ones may last much longer. Each phase of migraine has different symptoms.

What triggers a migraine?

Different factors can trigger migraine. Common triggers include:

1. Emotional stress

One of the most typical causes of migraine headaches is emotional stress. Certain chemicals in the brain are discharged to combat a stressful situation (known as the "flight or fight" response). These chemicals can trigger a migraine. Anxiety, worry, and excitation might increase muscular tension and dilate blood vessels, worsening your condition.

  • You are missing a meal. A migraine headache might be caused by delaying a meal.
  • Sensitivity to specific chemicals 

2. Preservatives in foods

Foods and drinks like aged cheese, alcoholic beverages, chocolate,

3. Caffeine

When the caffeine content in your system drops suddenly, you may get headaches due to too much coffee. When you don't consume coffee, your blood vessels appear sensitized to it, and a headache can occur. Healthcare professionals sometimes advise caffeine to treat acute migraine attacks, but it should not be used daily.

4. Daily use of pain-relieving medications

A rebound headache can occur if you use pain medications for headaches too frequently.

5. Hormonal changes in women

During their menstrual cycles, women are more likely to get migraines. The abrupt fall in estrogen that triggers menses can also induce headaches. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy might cause hormonal changes as well. Because these estrogen swings don't occur in children and post-menopausal females, migraines are generally worse during puberty and after menopause. Hormonal alterations do not appear to trigger migraines in males.

6. Light

Flashing or fluorescent lights, TV or computer lights, and sunshine may all irritate you.

  • Other possible triggers include:
  • A change in weather like strong wind or storms also triggers migraine because of a change in barometric pressure.
  • Excess fatigue or Exertion.
  • Not drinking enough water.
  • Some medications cause swelling of blood vessels.
  • Loud noises.
  • Changes in your regular sleep pattern.
  • Smoke, fragrances, or other smells.

Migraine in children

Kids can suffer from the same types of migraine as adults. Children may be more likely to experience symptoms on both sides of the head until they are older. It’s uncommon for children to have headache pain in the back of their heads. On average, migraine episodes last 1-2 hours 3 days in children. 

Migraine home remedies

Many pregnant women find that their migraine episodes improve during pregnancy. However, they may become worse after childbirth due to rapid hormonal changes. During pregnancy, attacks must be treated with particular care to determine the cause of the episode. A recent small study revealed that women with migraines during pregnancy had a higher incidence of having:

  • Early delivery  
  • Preeclampsia
  • Low birth weight of the baby

It’s essential to avoid specific migraine treatments during pregnancy. Aspirin, for example, is not advised. If you experience a migraine throughout pregnancy, work with your doctor to discover methods to manage your condition without harming the developing baby.

Migraine home remedies

You may attempt a few things at home to help with migraine pain:

  • Relax in a peaceful darkroom.
  • Massage your scalp or temples with this method.
  • Use a cold cloth to drape over your forehead or around your neck.

When to see a doctor

Migraines are usually undiagnosed and remain untreated. If you have migraine regularly, keep track of your symptoms. Make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your headaches.

If the pattern changes or your headaches become more severe, seek medical attention even if you have a history of headaches. If you notice any of following signs then seek medical visit :

  •  Headache following a head injury
  •  A persistent headache worsens when you suddenly cough, strain, or strain.
  • A new headache pain after age 50

What’s a migraine journal?

Keeping a migraine diary is essential for you and your healthcare practitioner during the diagnosis process. Before, during, and after a migraine attack, keep notes on as much detail as possible in your journal.

 Keep track of the following:

  • Note down when the migraine begins? Keeping notice of how much time has passed is a good idea. 
  • When did the aura phase begin?
  • What are the various symptoms you’re experiencing? 
  • Take a look at the amount of sleep at night before it occurs and your stress level. What is causing your stress?
  • Keep an eye on the weather and note it.
  • Keep track of your meal and water consumption. What food caused the migraine? Is there a gap in your diet?

How are migraines headaches treated?

A migraine headache is a long-term condition. They cannot be cured, but they may be controlled and improved. 

Two main treatment strategies of migraine medications are:

1. Abortive migraine medicines

According to the American Headache Society, migraine medicines are most successful when used as soon as a migraine begins. When pain is minimal, take them. Abortive migraine medicines help stop or decrease your symptoms, including pain, nausea, light sensitivity, and more, by possibly halting the headache mechanism. Some abortive medications restrict blood vessels, bringing them back to normal. 

2. Preventive migraine medicines (prophylactic)

When your headaches are severe, occur more than four times per month, and severely interfere with your everyday activities, migraine medications may be given to you. Preventive migraine medicines help stop the headaches from recurring and getting worse. To prevent migraines, most people take medications regularly every day.

See your doctor immediately; if you experience these signs:

If you feel any of the symptoms which might indicate a more significant medical issue, then go to the doctor immediately :

  • A thunderclap-like, severe headache
  • A headache with a fever, neck stiffness, confusion, seizures, binocular vision or double consciousness, numbness, or weakness in any body part indicates a stroke.