Over 150 distinct kinds of headaches exist. Cluster, sinus, hypnic, migraine, and tension-type headaches are a few of the varieties. Even though headaches can occasionally be excruciating and incapacitating, most of them can be managed with basic painkillers. On the other hand, recurring episodes or particular kinds of headaches might point to a medical issue. Primary and secondary headaches are frequently separated into two major categories. There is no other cause for a primary headache. A secondary headache, on the other hand, has a different underlying cause, like a head injury or abrupt caffeine withdrawal. Eleven of the most prevalent headache types are examined in this article, along with information on their causes, prevention, treatments, and when to consult a physician.
Headaches are a prevalent problem. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 40% of people worldwide suffer from headache disorders. Across all age groups, headaches rank among the top three most prevalent neurological disorders. Intense throbbing pain on one side of the head is a common symptom of a migraine. A person may become more sensitive to smell, sound, and light. Vomiting and nausea are also frequent. About 25% of migraineurs report having an aura either prior to or during their headache.
Aura symptoms can also be signs of stroke or meningitis. These visual and sensory abnormalities usually last 5 to 60 minutes and include: seeing zigzag lines, flickering lights, or spots; partial loss of vision; numbness; tingling; muscle weakness; difficulty speaking or finding words; and more. If someone is experiencing these for the first time, they should get medical help immediately. Each episode of a migraine headache can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, and they are frequently recurrent. It is a chronic condition for many people.
The precise causes of migraines are not entirely understood by medical professionals. Nonetheless, it frequently runs in families and is more prevalent in those who already have certain medical conditions, like epilepsy and depression. Stress, anxiety, disturbed sleep, hormonal changes, missing meals, dehydration, certain foods and medications, bright lights, and loud noises are all possible migraine triggers.
The severity of the symptoms, their frequency, and whether or not the patient experiences nausea and vomiting are some variables that will affect the course of treatment. Treatment options include: antiemetics, like metoclopramide, to control nausea and vomiting; neurostimulation techniques, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen triptans, like sumatriptan, which need a prescription.
Resting in a quiet, dark area, applying a cold cloth or ice pack to the forehead, and drinking water are other ways to reduce migraine attacks. People who suffer from chronic migraines should consult a healthcare provider about preventive care. If a person experiences an episode for more than 15 days in a month or if symptoms appear at least 8 days a month for three months, they may be diagnosed with chronic migraine. Topiramate (Topamax) and propranolol amitriptyline are medication options for migraine prevention. Acupuncture, stress reduction, and dietary modifications are additional management options to take into account.
Most people experience tension-type headaches occasionally. These primary headaches are the most prevalent kind. According to research, approximately 78% of adults will at some point suffer from a tension-type headache. They start off as a dull, persistent headache on both sides. Additional symptoms may include: headaches lasting 30 minutes to several days; sensitivity to light and sound; a feeling of pressure behind the eyes; and tenderness of the face, head, neck, and shoulders. It’s unclear what specifically causes tension headaches. Nonetheless, common triggers include stress, anxiety, and depression. Dehydration, loud noises, lack of exercise, poor sleep, missing meals, and eye strain are additional possible triggers.
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are examples of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers that are typically very effective at halting or reducing pain. People should see a doctor if they have headaches more than 15 days a month, as this could be a sign of chronic headaches. Tension headaches may be avoided with certain treatments and lifestyle modifications. Acupuncture, stress, anxiety, and depression management, regular exercise, stretching, and better sitting and standing posture are a few examples.
Severe and frequent headaches are known as cluster headaches. Males are six times more likely than females to be affected, and they are comparatively rare, affecting 1 in 1000 adults. Cluster headache sufferers report a sharp, piercing pain behind or around one eye. Cluster headaches typically occur suddenly and without warning and last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Other symptoms may include watering eyes, swollen eyelids, a runny nose, or sensitivity to light and sound. Up to eight attacks may occur in a single day.
These attacks can last for weeks or months and typically happen in clusters every day. Additionally, they frequently begin at regular times, usually a few hours after going to sleep at night. These symptoms, which occasionally mimic hay fever, should be discussed with a healthcare provider by anyone exhibiting them. Cluster headaches are more common in smokers, though their exact cause is unknown. Alcohol should also be avoided when having an attack.
The goal of treatment is to lessen the attacks’ frequency and intensity. Deep brain stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation also show promise in treating cluster headaches that do not respond to medication. Other options include oxygen therapy, sumatriptan, verapamil steroids, melatonin, and lithium.
The following activities can cause exertional headaches: running, jumping, weightlifting, sexual activity, and coughing or sneezing. These headaches are typically very short-lived, but they can occasionally last up to two days. They are more prevalent in people with a family history of migraine and manifest as throbbing pain throughout the head. When exertional headaches occur for the first time, people should consult a healthcare provider because they may indicate a more serious condition.
OTC pain relievers and beta-blockers, like propranolol and indomethacin, are among the treatments for exertional headaches. Cardiovascular problems can occasionally cause exertional headaches. If so, a medical expert might suggest tests to assess a patient’s cardiovascular and brain health.
A rare condition known as a hypnic headache typically first appears in people in their 50s. It may, however, begin earlier. They are also known as “alarm clock” headaches, and they cause people to wake up in the middle of the night. Mild to moderate throbbing pain, typically on both sides of the head, is the hallmark of a hypnic headache. Along with other symptoms like light and sound sensitivity and nausea, it can last for up to three hours. A person may have multiple attacks in a given week. There are no recognized triggers for hypnic headaches, and their exact cause is unknown. Even though hypnic headaches are usually benign, older adults should consult a doctor if they have any unusual headaches for the first time. A medical practitioner might want to rule out cluster headaches and migraines. Hypnic headaches can be treated with caffeine indomethacin lithium.
Medication-overuse headache A common form of secondary headache is medication-overuse headache (MOH), also referred to as a rebound headache. About 1-2 percent of the general population has them. MOH headaches typically affect those who suffer from tension-type headaches or migraines. MOH headaches usually occur as soon as a person wakes up in the morning. Each person experiences the pain and location differently. Additionally, they might feel queasy, agitated, and have trouble focusing.
Taking medication for headache disorders regularly causes these headaches. However, if a person’s pain is not improving, they might take them more frequently or in greater quantities. If a patient has a headache condition and has taken painkillers for at least 15 days in a month, a doctor may diagnose MOH. NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen, opioids, and acetaminophen-triptans, like sumatriptan, can all result in MOH when they wear off.
Stopping the medication that is causing the headaches is the only way to treat MOH. But anyone who wants to stop taking medication should only do so under a doctor’s supervision. To facilitate the withdrawal process, they can offer alternative medication prescriptions and assistance in creating a plan. The following symptoms are likely to occur after stopping the drug: worsened headaches, nausea, vomiting, elevated heart rate, low blood pressure, sleep disturbance, restlessness, anxiety, and nervousness.
A doctor may prescribe antiemetics or other medications to help manage nausea and vomiting. Although they can linger for up to four weeks, the symptoms typically last two to ten days. After a MOH is resolved, a medical expert will provide advice on appropriate painkillers to take. MOH can be avoided by limiting the use of painkillers for headaches, avoiding codeine and opioids, and taking preventive medication for chronic migraines.
Sinus headaches Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses, is the cause of sinus headaches. Usually, an allergy or infection is the cause. A dull, throbbing ache around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead is one of the symptoms. Movement or straining may make the pain worse, and it occasionally spreads to the jaw and teeth. Facial pressure or pain, decreased sense of smell, nasal discharge, a blocked nose, fever, exhaustion, poor breath, coughing, dental pain, and a general feeling of being ill are some additional possible symptoms. Seldom do sinus headaches occur. This type of headache is more likely to be a migraine episode if there are no nasal symptoms.
Usually, sinusitis goes away on its own in four weeks. OTC pain relievers, salt water nasal sprays or solutions from the pharmacy, antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, available with a prescription, antibiotics, rest, and fluids, and if there is a bacterial infection, people should consult a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or do not go away after three weeks. A medical practitioner may recommend a patient to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to determine the underlying cause of sinusitis. To clear the sinuses, minor surgery might be required in certain situations. Avoiding smoking and other known allergens or triggers is one way to prevent sinusitis.
Headaches can occasionally result from consuming four cups of coffee a day, or more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. Withdrawal symptoms may include migraine-like headaches in those who have consumed more than 200 mg of caffeine per day for more than two weeks. These usually appear 12 to 24 hours following an abrupt cessation of caffeine use. They can last for 2 to 9 days and peak between 20 and 51 hours. The effects of caffeine vary from person to person, but cutting back on intake may lower the risk of headaches. Other potential symptoms include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decreased mood or irritability, and nausea. Reducing caffeine intake may also benefit those who suffer from persistent migraines.
Headache After a Head Injury Sometimes a person experiences a headache right after or shortly after a head injury. This is frequently resolved by OTC pain relief. However, a person should get medical help right away if their symptoms are severe or get worse over time. In the event of a severe head injury or if any of the following symptoms appear after a head injury: unconsciousness, seizures, vomiting, memory loss, confusion, vision, or hearing issues, always call an ambulance. Post-traumatic headaches can also appear months after the initial head injury, making diagnosis challenging. They can last for up to a year and occasionally happen every day. Traumatic brain injury can occur from even minor head trauma.
Menstrual Headaches: The origin of such headaches is predominantly associated with shifts in hormone levels. During the menstrual cycle, migraines may manifest due to alterations in estrogen levels. In the pre-menstrual and post-menstrual phases, or during ovulation, hormone-related headaches typically manifest, with symptoms akin to migraines without an aura, although these may persist for a prolonged duration.
A throbbing headache the next day or even later that day can result from consuming too much alcohol. Both sides of the head typically experience these migraine-like headaches, which can get worse with movement. Symptoms of a hangover headache include light sensitivity and nausea. Hangovers cannot be cured, but they can be lessened by eating sugary foods and drinking lots of water. Over-the-counter pain relievers may lessen or eliminate headaches. Hangover symptoms usually disappear in 72 hours. Drinking in moderation, avoiding empty stomachs, and drinking water before bed and in between alcoholic beverages are all strategies to lower the chance of getting a hangover.
Timely lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, cognitive training).