What Are The Types Of Headaches?

Types of headaches: Headaches are one of the most common health problems in the world. They affect around one-third of the population at some point in their lives and can take place due to a wide range of conditions. Headache is a general term that covers a variety of different headaches, including tension headaches, classic migraines, cluster headaches, supra-maxillary headaches (a more specific type of migraine), maxillary sinus headaches, and infrequent headaches.

Headaches can also happen due to substances such as caffeine or alcohol. Less commonly, headaches can be a sign of serious conditions such as meningitis or brain tumors. Despite this diversity, there are some key factors that are common to all headaches: they usually occur on one side of the head and get worse by pressure or stress.

Well, to help you in knowing about it more, here we are sharing different types of headaches that may affect people around you. Keep reading till the last to know for it.

Different types of headaches:

There are many different types of headaches, but they can generally be broken down into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are due to a single underlying cause like a headache disorder, while secondary headaches are caused by various factors like stress, fatigue, or food. Here's a quick overview of some common types of headaches:

· Migraine:

Migraine is a debilitating type of headache that usually lasts for four hours or more. It most often occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 44 and is caused by an imbalance in blood flow to the brain.

The pain is usually centred on one side of the head and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. One in 50 people suffer from migraine headaches at least once a month.

· Chronic migraine:

Chronic migraine is a chronic type of headache that lasts for days or weeks. It usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 65, but symptoms can also occur in men and younger adults. This migraine is usually episodic, occurring less often than once a month. It can be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. The exact cause of migraine is not known, but the pain is believed to be due to an abnormal nerve impulse (a headache) in the brain.

· Tension headache:

Tension headaches are common and often occur in the morning. The pain occurs in the forehead or around the eye and can cause severe headaches. It is usually associated with a feeling of tightness, pressure, or fullness on one side of the head.

· Cluster headache:

Cluster headaches are one of the worst types of migraines. They occur more than once a week and typically last about an hour. Often, cluster headaches are accompanied by vomiting and sensitivity to light.

· Allergy or sinus headache:

If you have a sinus headache, your symptoms may be similar to those of an allergy. These headaches can occur at any time of day and are usually accompanied by a stuffy nose. They are also more common in children than adults.

· Concussion headache:

If you have a concussion headache, it is more likely to be associated with a head injury than the other types of migraines. A concussion headache can follow a bump on the head or a blow to the head, but it can also occur without physical injury.

· Meningitis headaches:

Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord, which causes severe pain and fever. In meningitis, headaches are often a symptom that can accompany the infection.

· Caffeine headache:

Caffeine is the most commonly used food, beverage and drug in the world. It's also a common cause of headaches. In some cases, caffeine can even mimic one of the major types of migraines.

· Rebound headache:

A rebound headache is a pain that occurs after you stop taking over-the-counter pain medicine. It's also known as a drug withdrawal headache. 10.

· Haemorrhage headache:

Haemorrhage headaches can occur with an injury to the spine, such as a fracture or spinal surgery. They are also common after dental surgery and when a blood vessel in the brain is damaged by a stroke.

· Hypertension headache:

This type of headache is due to high blood pressure. It is an arterial headache because it occurs when blood vessels in the brain are compressed or blocked.

· Temporal arteritis headache:

This type of headache is due to an inflammation in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The pain is so severe that for a while, a person needs to take more medications to deal with it.

· Exertion headache:

Exertion headache is a type of headache that is due to overexertion. It usually occurs during or after physical activity, such as running or playing sports. Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness. Exertion headaches are more common in women than men and can be especially bothersome during periods of hormonal change (such as before menstruation). Treatment typically involves resting and drinking fluids to relieve the symptoms.

· Post-traumatic headache (PTH):

PTH is when someone experiences chronic headaches after experiencing a traumatic event. The pain can last for months or even years after the trauma has happened. The cause of PTH is still unknown, but it may be related to changes in brain chemistry and nerve activity. There are treatments available for PTH, but they haven't been very successful so far.

· Spinal headache:

Spinal headache is a type of headache that is due to pain or pressure on the spinal cord. This can happen when the spine is bent too sharply, when it's twisted, or when there's a tumour on the spine. The pain can be very severe and last for hours. There are treatments available to help relieve the pain, but it can be tough to get relief.

· Thunderclap headache:

Thunderclap headache is a type of headache that occurs as a result of one sudden, intense noise. The pain can last for minutes or hours and can be very severe. Thunderclap headaches are most common during concerts or other events where there is an unexpected burst of sound. There is currently no cure for thunderclap headaches, but treatment options include medications to relieve the pain, rest, and stress relief. In some cases, surgery may also be in consideration to remove the source of the noise that triggered the headache.

How to treat different types of headaches?

There are many different types of headaches, and each one requires a different approach to treatment. Here are some tips on how to treat common headache types:

• Headaches due to tension headaches are treatable with relaxation techniques and medication.
• Cluster headaches usually respond well to medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. If the headache is severe, a doctor may prescribe an antidepressant such as paroxetine or citalopram.
• Migraine headaches typically respond well to medication such as triptans such as sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig). Side effects from these medications can be mild and usually last about 12 hours.
• Headaches due to sinus headaches are treatable with medication such as antibiotics.
• Headaches due to tension headaches that are in link with a fever or flu may be due to an infection of the brain (meningitis). If so, the headache will typically respond well to antibiotics.

Conclusion

Here we have come to an end and discuss the different types of headaches. There are some other types of headaches as well, which a person must be aware of. If you are not sure whom to approach for the treatment and approach Dr. Himanshu Gupta.

He is one of the best doctors for headache treatment in Jaipur you can approach. Discuss the condition you are going through so that he can analyse the actual reason behind all the symptoms appearing and suggest the best medication. After approaching him, you will be able to get rid of the problem for sure!

FAQ: Types of Headaches

Q.1 - How long do headaches last with COVID?

Answer - Most people experience a headache for no more than 24 hours, but some headaches can last up to 72 hours. For most people, the headaches will eventually go away on their own. If the headache is severe or lasts for more than 72 hours, it may be worth considering seeking medical attention.

Q.2 - When should I worry about a headache?

Answer - Headache is a common symptom and one that most people will experience at some point in their lives. There are many different types of headaches, and each person experiences them differently. If you are experiencing a headache for the first time, or if it is worsening, there are some signs to watch for that could indicate that you should be worried.

Q.3 - What does a brain tumour headache feel like?

Answer - Brain tumours can cause a headache, which can be quite severe. The pain can be on one side of the head and may also include nausea and vomiting. The pain is typically worse when standing or walking and may last for hours or even days.

Q.4 - What are the red flags for headaches?

Answer - There are many different types of headaches, each with its own distinctive symptoms. Some people experience a single type of headache often, while others experience a variety of headaches over the course of their lifetime. Headache pain can be debilitating and cause great distress, so it's important to know the types of headaches and the associated symptoms.

Q.5 - Does a brain tumour cause headaches?

Answer - Brain tumours can cause pressure on the brain due to their size and location. This pressure can cause headaches as a result. Additionally, some other factors that could lead to headaches include dehydration, high blood pressure, and age.