Do you know why queues at the Home Office, potty training a toddler and traffic are considered total headaches? Because regardless of the type of headache you have, they all suck. Headaches interfere with many women’s daily activities, causing them to avoid work, social activities, or physical exertion. They are also more common in women, peaking in women between the ages of 25 and 55. Additionally, South African research has found that 39.2% of women in urban hospitals feel that migraines contribute to “severe psychological distress.”
But aside from being pain in the… er, brain, headaches can also indicate broader health problems, including mental health disorders, high blood pressure, or infections, especially if they’re accompanied by other symptoms. Here we go through the different types of headaches and provide tips on how to treat them – and when you should seek professional help.
Types of headaches
There are actually two types of headaches, and whatever pain you’re experiencing falls into one of the two camps. There are primary and secondary headaches.
Primary headache are independent disorders in which the headache itself is the main problem and is caused by dysfunction or overactivity of pain-sensing structures in the head without the presence of an underlying disease. They usually have a stable pattern, a long history, normal physical examinations and sometimes a family history.
Secondary headaches differ in that they are symptoms of an underlying disease or medical problem. These headaches occur due to another cause such as: B. Infections (sinusitis), high blood pressure (hypertension headache), medication effects (rebound headaches), trauma (post-traumatic headaches), hormonal changes (hormonal headaches such as menstrual migraines), caffeine withdrawal, exertion or leakage of spinal fluid (spinal headaches). Secondary headaches often have characteristics such as sudden onset, changes in headache pattern, associated systemic symptoms (fever, seizures), or abnormal physical findings, therefore urgent evaluation is required in many cases.
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Primary headache
migraine
Feels like: Headache on one side of your head
Migraines can last between four and 72 hours and typically occur on one side of the head. Migraines can pulsate and cause sensitivity to light and sound, as well as nausea. Before a migraine occurs, people may experience an aura, a type of warning sign that can include seeing things like flashes of light, bright spots, blind spots, or shimmering/zigzag patterns.
Treatment: Migraines are caused by complex factors, including environmental and genetic factors. In addition to medical treatment, treating migraines also involves identifying triggers and avoiding them if possible.
Tension headache
Feels like: a band-like pain over the head
Tension headaches are described as a feeling of pressure or tightness like a band around the head and are often associated with stress or problems with the neck muscles, usually mild to moderate, and can be episodic or chronic. It may also feel like a dull, non-throbbing pain.
Treatment: Prevention is better than cure here. For stress-related headaches, try relaxation techniques and, in serious cases, talk to your psychiatrist about antidepressants.
Cluster headache
Feels like: severe pain in a cluster
Cluster pain is categorized as a severe, brief headache that often occurs around or behind one eye. They can be accompanied by redness, watery eyes, nasal congestion and drooping eyelids. It is more common in men and often occurs more frequently over weeks or months.
Treatment: These may include inhaled oxygen, corticosteroids, and preventive medications.
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The hemicrania continues
Feels like: persistent pain on one side
This type of headache causes constant pain on one side of the head. In addition, you may experience nausea, sensitivity to light, a drooping eyelid, or a stuffy nose. It can last at least three months and feels constantly boring.
Treatment: To relieve inflammation, your doctor may prescribe indomethacin, an NSAID.
Ice pick headache
Feels like: short, stabbing pain
Imagine the iconic stabbing scene in Psycho, only this time it’s your head. They only last a few seconds but feel intense and can occur daily and without warning. You can also move to different parts of your head.
Treatment: For immediate relief, place a cold or warm compress on the head or neck, find a cool, dark place to rest, and drink water. If headaches occur frequently, see a doctor.
Secondary headaches
Sinus headaches
Feels like: Pain in a group around your sinuses
Sinus headaches are often accompanied by nasal congestion and fever. It is caused by a nasal infection that can block the sinus passages.
Treatment: Because this type of headache is caused by a stuffy nose, nasal rinses, decongestants, and antihistamines can help.
Hormonal headaches
Feels like: a migraine that starts a few days before your period
Before your period or during ovulation, hormonal fluctuations can cause a headache that feels like a migraine. Good to know: Using contraceptives and pregnancy can also cause hormonal headaches.
Treatment: Pain medications can help relieve your symptoms.
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Caffeine withdrawal headaches
Feels like: pulsating pain in both parts of the head
Quitting coffee cold turkey? Prepare for withdrawal headaches triggered by a caffeine deficiency.
Treatment: Go ahead if you’re serious about avoiding the hype. If you continue to drink caffeine, you should moderate the amounts to prevent withdrawal pain.
Headache on exertion
Feels like: Short, sudden pain
Whether you’ve been lifting too heavy, walking too much, or coughing or sneezing too much, they can all cause headaches.
Treatment: Take painkillers, but experts recommend seeing a doctor to find out the underlying cause.
Headache with high blood pressure
Feels like: pulsating pain on both sides of the head
If this sounds like you, drop everything and go to the emergency room. High blood pressure headaches signal an emergency and occur when your blood pressure reaches dangerous levels. Accompanying symptoms are:
- Changes in vision
- Numbness or tingling
- Nosebleeds
- Chest pain
- shortness of breath
Treatment: Hypertension headaches require medical attention to lower blood pressure.
Important: Do not drive yourself to the emergency room because of head trauma. Call 112 from your mobile phone or 10177 to call an ambulance.
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Rebound headache
Feels like: a dull or intense migraine
If you take aspirin like you do mints, you may be contributing to your headaches. Overuse of painkillers may increase the frequency of your headaches instead of treating them.
Treatment: Since painkillers no longer work, try prevention. Information about management strategies can be found in a document.
Post-traumatic headache
Feels like: a tension headache or a migraine
Traumatic headaches follow a head injury. So if you’ve hit your head, this could be the case. It can also be accompanied by dizziness, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, personality changes and insomnia. Additionally, they can last for months after the head injury.
Treatment: Painkillers and anti-inflammatories
