types of headaches and how to treat them

according to the international headache society, there are more than 150 different types of headaches, from sinus and exercise headaches to fasting and whiplash headaches. however, each of these can be sorted into one of three distinct groups: primary headaches, secondary headaches and ‘other’ headaches.

primary headaches
primary headaches are not caused by any other condition, they are the condition. primary headaches can occur constantly for long periods of time (chronic) or come and go every once in a while (episodic).

within this category there are several types of headaches, but the three most common are migraine, tension headaches and cluster headaches, according to healthline .

cluster headaches are non-life threatening and rarely happen, but they can be extremely painful and typically occur in cycles or ‘clusters’ that can last from weeks to months. during the cluster, headaches can occur once every day, often at night and at the same time every day. the causes of cluster headaches are unclear, but symptoms include pain behind or around one eye, excessive tearing, redness, stuffy nose and swelling on the affected side.

according to the mayo clinic , “unlike migraine and tension headache, cluster headache generally isn’t associated with triggers, such as foods, hormonal changes or stress.”

tension headaches are far more mild than the other two common types. they are generally characterized by a dull ache, a feeling of tightness or pressure around in different places on the head.

migraine pain is the most notorious of the three common types of primary headaches and there are several subcategories under the migraine umbrella. migraine attacks can last for hours to days and can be completely debilitating. extreme sensitivity to light and sound are common, sometimes accompanied by vomiting or nausea.

secondary headaches
secondary headaches are a symptom of some other ailment or injury such as a head trauma or injury, withdrawal from substances like alcohol or caffeine, and changes in altitude. allergies, hypertension, and hormones are some of the most common causes of secondary headaches. treatment varies depending on the underlying issue and they can become chronic if the underlying problem is ongoing.

the ‘other’ headaches
the third group of headaches is wide ranging, but is characterized by head pain associated with cranial nerve issues such as lesions , or disease of the trigeminal (the nerve responsible face sensations).

the scary headaches
it can be hard not to think the worst when you experience an intense or ongoing headache, but before jumping to conclusions, know that most headaches are not because of a brain tumour . in fact, according to healthline , fewer than 900,000 people in the united states are diagnosed with brain tumours each year. that said, if you experience head pain that doesn’t respond to pain relieving medications, causes pressure in the back of the head, double or blurred vision, you should see a doctor quickly.

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types of headaches and how to treat them

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