headaches are some of the most mysterious ailments the human body can experience. sometimes they are predictable — like when you have too much wine or too little water — but often, they come out of nowhere, in a variety of locations and severities.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.”oxygen therapy and some doctor prescribed drugs (lidocaine) can be used to treat clusters. cluster headaches are more common in men, people with a family history of cluster headaches and smokers.
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.often brought on by stress, tension headaches are usually treated with over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen (advil) or acetaminophen (tylenol). though they are usually episodic, if your tension headaches become chronic, it could be a sign of an underlying trigger that should be explored with a doctor.
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.people experiencing migraine pain often get a warning sign — or aura — that occurs with, or before, the onset of the migraine. auras often manifest as flashes of light, blind spots or other visual disturbances and migraine pain is usually classified as either with, or without aura.
migraine pain is more common in women, and can run in the family and be brought on by a number of different triggers, such as diet, hormonal fluctuations, environmental factors, and sleep problems. migraine pain is often treated with over-the-counter drugs but may require something stronger in some instances.you should see a doctor if you have a severe headache that comes on suddenly or if headaches are accompanied by trouble speaking, numbness, seizures or double vision.
secondary headachessecondary 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).cranial nerves connect the brain to the other parts of the head and neck, and any diseases, trauma or other issues with these nerves can cause headaches, among a host of other serious problems. these headaches differ from secondary headaches as they do not originate from an outside source. instead, they are brought on by other internal issues.when attempting to figure out the cause of your headache, consider the location, severity, duration and symptoms associated with it. some signs that your headache may be something to worry about include a change in the pattern of your headaches, an unusually severe headache or headaches that prevent daily activities.
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.
if you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, the brain tumour foundation of canada offers family and caregiver support as well as disease awareness.
4 minute read
