Due to the presence of multiple types of headaches, some people may be unaware of the correct treatment for the health condition they are experiencing, which can lead to worsening the problem and increasing its symptoms.
Especially since headaches are one of the most common health problems that may persist throughout a person’s life for various reasons, whether as a temporary symptom or a chronic one.
Therefore, through this article on evercare’s website, you can learn about the most common types of headaches, their main symptoms, and how to identify them, so stay tuned with us.
What is a headache?
A headache is a sensation of pain that occurs in one or several areas of the head and may extend to the neck or eyes.
It is considered one of the most common symptoms experienced by humans, with various causes behind it.
Headaches typically take several forms; they may occur as mild pain or strike with intense severity that may be unbearable.
The duration of a headache can range from a few seconds or minutes to an extended period.
Suffering from a headache can impair concentration and hinder the ability to perform daily tasks and activities.
It may also lead to mood swings that prevent engaging in any other activities.
How is a headache medically diagnosed?
Some individuals often neglect to seek effective treatment for headaches, even if they are recurrent, as long as they do not last for a long time.
This approach is considered improper, especially when the patient resorts solely to taking painkillers, which can have adverse effects on other parts of the body and the digestive system.
Therefore, if headaches are recurrent, you should consult your doctor directly to understand the underlying cause.
Doctors diagnose the condition through several factors, including the following:
- Reviewing the family’s medical history.
- Measuring blood pressure.
- Asking about the precise locations of the headache.
- Conducting necessary laboratory tests.
- Requesting skull imaging using X-rays.
- Performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the head.
- Conducting a lumbar puncture to detect bleeding cases.
The diagnostic methods mentioned above are among the most common approaches used by doctors, though they are not all performed simultaneously or during the initial patient evaluation.
Doctors usually begin by suspecting the simplest types of headaches, conducting the necessary tests, and then moving on to more advanced examinations for severe underlying causes.
In all cases, additional signs accompany the type of headache the patient is experiencing, which helps doctors determine the required diagnostic test.
Moreover, factors such as age, chronic diseases, and hereditary conditions play a crucial role in diagnosing the causes of headaches and determining their treatment methods.
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The most common types of headaches and their causes
Headaches are one of the common symptoms experienced by a large number of people, regardless of the underlying medical reason that caused them.
To classify headaches and understand their causes, it is important to differentiate between whether the headache is primary or secondary.
The causes leading to each type vary, and under each category, there are several types of headaches, each with its treatment method.
- Types of primary headaches:
The types that fall under primary headaches are some of the headaches that occur in the back of the head, which are caused by an imbalance in the chemical substances in the brain.
They also occur due to increased activity of the head and neck muscles, as well as blood vessels in the brain.
Some of the most common types that fall under primary headaches are the following:
- Tension headache:
This type of headache is usually caused by tension in the muscles located in the neck and scalp area.
It is one of the common types of headaches that result from incorrect head posture.
- Cluster headache:
One of the main symptoms of cluster headaches is persistent pain in the head in the form of a headache that can occur multiple times a day and typically lasts for several weeks.
Although there is no clear answer as to why this type of headache occurs.
Some speculate that it may be related to the hypothalamus gland located at the base of the brain, due to its sudden release of histamine and serotonin.
- Migraine headache (Shingles):
When experiencing continuous throbbing pain in a specific area of the head, this type of headache may be a migraine or what is commonly known as a "shingles" headache.
It occurs in the form of pain attacks that vary in duration or intensity, and it can affect both adults and children, being particularly common among women.
Migraine is one of the types of headaches that can be triggered by several factors, including hormonal fluctuations in the body.
- Types of secondary headaches:
The types that fall under the classification of secondary headaches usually occur as a result of a specific illness, with the headache being one of its symptoms.
Some of the most common types include the following:
- Meningitis headache:
Meningitis headaches occur when the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and lining the skull are infected, which is a dangerous condition that may lead to death.
- Sinus headache:
Sinusitis is a common condition whose main symptom is a headache, resulting from inflammation or swelling of the tissues in the sinuses.
- Hormonal headache:
Changes in the body’s hormones can cause headaches, with the most common changes occurring during pregnancy or when using birth control pills.
- Thunderclap headache:
This is considered a dangerous type of headache that requires immediate emergency attention, as it may be caused by a brain hemorrhage.
The symptoms of a thunderclap headache are sudden, severe pain in the head that lasts for a long duration, often up to 5 minutes.
- Headache due to a brain tumor:
When the brain or cerebrum is affected by a type of cancerous tumor, headache is one of the common symptoms accompanying the illness.
- Headache from head or neck injury:
When the head or neck is subjected to an injury or accident, a headache may occur, but it usually does not last long.
The intensity of the headache may vary from person to person depending on the severity of the impact.
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Main Causes of Headaches
The causes of headaches can vary depending on several factors, such as the patient’s age, medical history, or genetic background.
Chronic illnesses may also lead to recurring headaches.
In general, it is essential to understand that headache treatment begins with identifying its cause, especially if it is a secondary type of headache caused by another illness.
It is also possible for a person to experience more than one type of headache simultaneously, so in such cases, it is crucial to consult a doctor immediately.
Some of the most common causes of headaches include the following:
- Stroke
- Infections in the brain
- Increased blood flow to the head
- High blood pressure
- Head or neck injuries and impacts
- Viral infections attacking the immune system
- Sudden cessation of certain medications, especially antidepressants, without consulting a doctor
- Increased eye pressure
- Toothaches
- Dehydration
- Hypothyroidism
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How to Treat a Headache
As we mentioned, identifying the causes of headaches is one of the most important factors in treatment, and it may differ depending on whether the headache is primary or secondary.
In cases of secondary headaches, immediate relief can be achieved by treating the underlying illness causing it.
However, in general, some people resort to various methods of treating headaches, which can be classified as follows:
- Treating headaches with over-the-counter medications:
Some types of headaches can be treated with medications that do not require a prescription, known as analgesics.
It should be noted, however, that these may not be effective for some types of headaches as they do not address the root cause of the problem.
Common analgesics available without a prescription include medications containing paracetamol, aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
In cases where a headache is treated through a prescribed medication, the doctor will first determine whether the headache is a symptom or a disease.
The doctor may also prescribe treatments that include beta-blockers for patients suffering from migraine attacks, or medications for treating depression, epilepsy, or seizures.
- Treating headaches with alternative methods:
If you decide to opt for alternative treatments for headaches that do not involve consulting a doctor or taking medications, some of the most common treatments include the following:
- Biofeedback
- Acupuncture
- Cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy
- Stress management training.
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FAQs about Types of Headaches
When is a headache a danger signal?
Symptoms that may indicate a dangerous type of headache include weakness or numbness in the body, a headache that persists for a long period and increases in intensity to unbearable levels, and difficulty speaking or articulating words.
How can I identify the type of headache I have?
The type of headache you are experiencing can be identified through its symptoms.
What are the most dangerous types of headaches?
Cluster headaches are considered the most dangerous type of headache.