Different Types of Headaches

A headache is a pain that is felt in the head, between the eyes and ears, behind the head, and sometimes even at the back of the upper neck. Pain in the head should never be treated lightly and should be considered as seriously as chest pain or dizziness. Headaches are of two types, namely: primary and secondary.

Primary ones are not caused by any other diseases. These include migraines, tension, and cluster headaches. Secondary ones, on the other hand, are caused because of another disease. These may be associated with a disease that is serious, minor, or sometimes life-threatening.

☛ Tension headache is the most common type of primary headache affecting people. More than 90% of the total adult population suffers from it. Women are more prone to it than men.

☛ Migraine headache is the second most common type. In fact, it has been found that nearly 28 million people in the United States, i.e., 12% of the population has experienced migraines.

☛ Adult women are more prone to migraines than men. Very often, people confuse this type with sinus or tension type, therefore, migraines don't receive the treatment they should.

☛ Cluster headache, on the other hand, is rare, and only about 0.1% of the population is affected by it. This type is more prominent in men than in women.

☛ Secondary ones are comparatively much more complex. This is because they have different causes that range from brain tumors, stroke, meningitis, and even hemorrhages.

☛ Most people suffer from mixed headaches, which means that they initially suffer from sinus or tension type that later on leads to migraine headache.

This type normally begins at the back of the head and upper neck, and it feels like someone is putting immense pressure around the eyebrows with the help of a tight band. This type is mild and does not affect both the sides of the head. It sometimes causes nausea and vomiting, and one may also become sensitive to light, sound, and movement. It does not show a fixed pattern, is not very painful, and is a type people can manage very easily.

Migraines are chronic headaches. These are more intense and normally attack one temple, and sometimes, the pain seems to radiate in the forehead, near the eye, and behind the head. This type normally affects one side of the head but at times can affect both.

A migraine can affect people to such an extent that it can hamper day-to-day activities. In this, people become prone to nausea, vomiting, and cold hands and feet. They even become more sensitive to light, sound, and movement.

As the name suggests, in this type, the pain in the head lasts for a few weeks or months together followed by a headache-free period. When a person is afflicted with this type, he/she will sometimes suffer from pain in the head twice a day. The pain can last for about 30 to 90 minutes, and it is unbearable and occurs on one side of the head near or behind the eye. The nose can also get congested and runny when suffering from this type.

There are several treatment options available, depending on the root cause, to provide relief from pain in the head. It is always better to seek the advice of a health expert if the consumption of any general headache-relieving medication does not provide relief.

Disclaimer: This Story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.