Our body works in complex ways and all our actions have potential consequences; headache is the one among them.
They’re the most common form of pain and are a major reason cited for days missed at work or school, as well as visits to healthcare providers.
Headache !! What does it mean?
“A headache is a pain in your head or face that’s often described as a pressure that’s throbbing, constant, sharp or dull.”
Headache pain results from signals interacting among your brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves.
Common Causes (Etiology) of Headache
Headache disorders are painful, with discomfort felt in the head, neck, and shoulders. A headache occurs because of a primary or secondary cause.
Primary
This type of headache isn‘t a symptom of any disease but a disease on its own. It is a “primary“ headache because it is the main concern.
Often, stress, anxiety and disruptions in your sleep patterns cause these headaches.
Secondary
Secondary headaches manifest as a symptom of another health disorder. Different types of illnesses and disorders can cause a headache, including:
- head injury (trauma)
- high blood pressure
- mental health conditions
- infections
- stroke
- medication overdose
- brain tumors (malignancy)
- nerves disorders
- sinus congestion
Most common headache
Many of us are familiar with some form of the throbbing, uncomfortable, and distracting pain of a headache. There are different types of headaches. The common types of headaches include:
Tension Headache
If you have a tension headache, you may feel a dull, aching sensation all over your head. It isn’t throbbing. Tenderness or sensitivity around your neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulder muscles also might occur.
Anyone can get a tension headache. Stress often triggers them.
Cluster Headache
They occur around or behind one eye or on one side of the face at a time. Symptoms may include:
- swelling, redness, flushing, and sweating on the side that’s affected by the headache
- nasal congestion and eye tearing on the same side as the headache
A series of cluster headaches can be daily for months at a time. In the months between clusters, person is symptom-free.
Migraine
It is an intense pain pulsing from deep within your head. This pain can last for days. Migraine headaches significantly limit your ability to carry out your daily routine.
Migraine pain is throbbing and usually one-sided. People with migraine headaches are often sensitive to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting also usually occur.
Some migraine headaches are preceded by visual disturbances (visual aura) such as….
- flashing lights
- shimmering lights
- zigzag lines
- stars
- blind spots
Auras can also include tingling on one side of your face or in one arm and trouble speaking.
Migraine headaches might run in your family, or they can be associated with other nervous system conditions.
Women are THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY to develop migraine than men.
Diagnosis
Because there are many types of headaches, there are many methods that might be used to diagnose which type of headache you are experiencing. It’s important to figure out whether you’re having a primary or secondary headache to receive effective treatment.
You can expect your headache diagnosis to begin with a physical exam and a thorough medical history including:
- duration
- intensity
- location
- possible trigger
For some headache types, you could require diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause. These tests can include:
- MRI or CT scan
- Lumbar Puncture
- Blood test
Treatment
Different types of headaches will be managed differently. Treatments could range from simple dietary adjustments to invasive procedures performed by a medical professional.
Not everyone will respond to the same treatments, even for the same types of headaches. If you’re experiencing headaches that you’re not able to treat on your own, speak with a doctor about putting together a treatment plan.
Read on to learn more about the most common treatments for each type of headache.
Tension headache
An OTC pain reliever may be all it takes to relieve your occasional headache symptoms. OTC pain relievers include:
- aspirin
- ibuprofen
- naproxen (Aleve)
- acetaminophen (paracetamol)
If OTC medications aren’t providing relief, your doctor may recommend prescription medication, such as:
- indomethacin
- meloxicam (Mobic)
- ketorolac
When a tension headache becomes chronic, a different course of action may be suggested to address the underlying headache trigger.
Cluster headache
A doctor may recommend the following to provide relief for the symptoms:
oxygen therapy
- oxygen therapy
- sumatriptan (lmitrex)
- local anesthetics (lidocaine)
Migraine
If OTC pain relievers don’t reduce migraine pain during an attack, a doctor might prescribe triptans. Triptans are drugs that decrease inflammation and change the flow of blood within your brain. They come in the form of nasal sprays, pills, and injections.
Speak with a doctor about taking a daily medication to prevent migraine headaches if you experience headaches that are:
- debilitating more than 3 days a month
- somewhat debilitating 4 days a month
- lasting longer than 6 days a month
Preventive Measures
Many headaches can be managed with preventive measures, but the methods will differ by headache type. Some headache types might be prevented with medication, while others might be caused by the same medication. For this reason, it’s important to know what works for you.
In general, many headaches can be prevented or improved with lifestyle changes including:
- getting enough sleep on a regular schedule
- getting enough to eat, and eating balanced meals
- stay hydrated
- getting adequate regular exercise
- managing stress
Migraine headaches may be prevented with calcitonin , gene-related peptide (CGRP) medication.
Outlook
If you’re experiencing recurring or severe headaches, get medical assistance right away. An accurate diagnosis will be the first step in understanding and managing your headaches going forward.