We’ve all had a headache at some point in our lives. Headaches are common and are categorized based on pain, tenderness, or discomfort in the head. There are many different types of headaches, with varying symptoms, sternness levels, and treatment choices. But is your headache just a transitory pain or a sign of an additional serious medical problem?
1. Tension Headache
Tension headaches are common headaches that are often triggered by stress. The pain can vary from person to person, but it is typically felt throughout the body as a dull, aching sensation. Tenderness or discomfort may also occur around the neck, forehead, or shoulder muscles. Most tautness headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve symptoms.
2. Sinus Headaches
According to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF), sinus headaches occur when the cavity becomes inflamed due to allergies, illness, or dry weather. They are related to deep, persistent pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bond of the nose. The pain often upsurges with sudden head movements and happens with other sinus symptoms, such as a runny nose, fever, and facial swelling.
Sinus headaches are treated by thinning the buildup of mucus that causes sinus pressure. Over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines, and prescription steroid nasal sprays can help dismiss symptoms. A sinus headache might be a symptom of a sinus contagion, requiring a prescription for antibiotics to treat the disease and help reduce the headache and other symptoms.
3. Exertional Headaches
Exertional headaches can occur directly after periods of intense physical activity. Running, lifting weights, and having sex are common triggers for exertional headaches. These passing, throbbing headaches can occur on both sides of the head and are easily preserved with over-the-counter pain relievers and melatonin.
4. Migraines
For 12% of Americans, migraines are debilitating and can cause severe, disabling pain that disrupts daily life. Migraines are linked to constricted blood vessels and other brain changes and are often triggered by environmental or weather changes, stress, or lack of sleep. They can last as little as 30 minutes or several days.
Unlike regular headaches, migraines can cause sore pain on unique or both sides of the head, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, and compassion to light, noise, or smells. Migraines may be preceded by visual turbulences, such as halos, flashing lights, zigzag lines, or shade spots.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can usually help relieve migraine pain. Your doctor may prescribe medications that reduce inflammation and alter biochemical pathways for people with chronic migraines.
5. Hormonal Headaches
Many women frequently experience headaches related to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal birth control affect estrogen levels, causing headaches. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 60% of women who suffer after migraines also experience menstrual migraines, headaches associated with any portion of the menstrual cycle.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, relaxation techniques, yoga, acupuncture, and dietary changes can help reduce or prevent hormonal headaches.
6. Cluster Headache
Given to the AMF, cluster headache is an infrequent disorder consisting of severe, burning, or throbbing pain around or behind one eye or one side of the face, often accompanied by facial swelling, flushing, sweating, nasal congestion, loose eyelids, watery eyes that occurs on the same side as the headache.
This type of headache, three times more common in men than women, presents with severe discomfort that lasts 15 to 180 minutes and happens up to eight times a diurnal for four to six weeks.
Cluster headaches can be treated with preventive and acute medications, such as oxygen therapy, steroid injections, oral steroids (usually prednisone), and melatonin.
7. Hypertension Headaches
A high blood pressure headache occurs when your blood pressure becomes too high (above 180/110). These headaches usually cause a throbbing sensation on both sides of the head and are accompanied by blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds. See a doctor immediately if you have a high blood pressure headache. A high blood pressure headache can be treated by lowering your blood pressure.
When you have a severe headache, it’s easy to worry. Don’t worry. Many types of headaches are episodic and go away within a day. However, contact your doctor if you have a headache that lasts more than two days, increases in severity, or occurs regularly.