Types of Headaches and Reasons: A Complete Guide
We all experience different types of headaches, and it’s quite handy for individuals to treat themselves by taking over-the-counter medicines, drinking more water, resting, or just waiting for a headache to go away on its own. However, headaches can be uncomfortable and disabling, and occasionally individuals worry that they may have a significant underlying cause.
There are different types of headaches, and it can be challenging to determine their location and symptoms in order to differentiate between them. It is also crucial to know what kind of discomfort you are experiencing. The types of headaches and their causes, as well as the reasons why you are experiencing them, are discussed in this article to help you. So let’s have a look.
Types of Headaches and Reasons
The International Headache Society has classified approximately 200 different forms of headaches into two categories: primary and secondary.
Primary Headaches
Tension headaches and migraines are the two most common types of Primary Headaches.
Tension Headaches
A tension headache, the most typical variety, typically begins later in the day and lasts for at least 30 minutes. Common tension headache symptoms, which are frequently accompanied by tightness in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, include:
1. Your head may experience pressure, tightness, or a band around it; this usually happens on both sides.
2. A dull, non-throbbing headache that may be felt across the head, behind both eyes, on the forehead, in the cheeks, or at the back of the neck
3. Muscle aches, impatience, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating are common symptoms in sufferers.
While the exact source of tension-type headaches is unknown, stress and lack of sleep are the most often cited triggers. When tension headache symptoms are still minor, it is recommended to start treatment as soon as they appear.
Migraine
Moreover, migraines are fairly typical. A typical migraine throbs on one side. Indeed, migraines are more likely to be the cause of throbbing, one-sided headaches, and headaches that make you feel ill than any other type of headache. Movement or sound can often make them worse. Even when the pain isn’t too bad, patients frequently feel or vomit nauseous. Many people discover that TV and bright lights exacerbate their headaches. Some of the common symptoms of migraine headaches are; pain in the face or neck, throbbing in one area, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and distorted vision.
Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches are a sign of another health issue in your body. Your headaches may become chronic if the secondary headache’s trigger persists. In most cases, treating the underlying cause relieves headaches.
Allergy or Sinus Headache
An allergic reaction might occasionally result in headaches. These headaches frequently target the front of your head and the area around your sinuses.
Hormone Headache
Headaches in women are frequently brought on by hormonal changes. Estrogen levels are impacted by menstruation, birth control use, and pregnancy, which can result in headaches. Menstrual migraine is another name for those migraines that are only related to the menstrual cycle. These can happen during ovulation as well as just before, during, or shortly after your menstruation.
Exertion Headache
Running, weightlifting and sexual activity are all frequent causes of an exertion headaches. These activities are believed to increase blood flow to your skull, which can result in a throbbing headache that spreads to both sides of your head.
The Location of your Headache Tells you
Numerous areas are linked with particular headaches as well. Finding the source of your pain makes it easier for you to manage your suffering and get medical care. Find out what your headaches might be trying to tell you by headache location and causes;
1. A migraine headache is one that just affects one specific area of your head, therefore if you only experience that headache in that area, it may be a migraine.
2. If the pain is near your eye, this is a classic symptom of a cluster headache.
3. If your position is behind your nose and eyes, you are most likely suffering from sinus headaches.
There are numerous ways to diagnose the headaches types and causes you are having because there are so many different forms of headaches. To receive successful therapy, it’s critical to determine if you are experiencing a primary or secondary headache.