After
been harassed by a nasty headache for the last week, I decided to do some
research on what different types of headaches there are and how each one can be
treated. The only way to get rid of a headache quickly is to know what type of
headache you have:
Tension headache
A tension headache is one of the most
common types of headaches. You will feel a constant pressure or aching on both
sides of your head or at the back of your head by your neck.
Possible causes: bad posture, clenching
your jaw, anxiety and stress.
Treatment: over-the-counter pain
medication, such as miprodol, aspirin or ibuprofen.
Rebound headache
If
you overuse medication to relieve pain, you may experience rebound headaches.
Possible causes: possible medication
that may cause rebound headaches include aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Treatment: visit your doctor to
find out the best way to treat the pain.
Dental headache
Dental-related
issues can trigger face pain or headaches.
Possible causes: bruxism (teeth
grinding) or TMJ, which is caused by bad jaw alignment, poor posture, stress or
arthritis.
Treatment: hot or cold packs,
stress relievers, biting guards or stretching of the jaw.
Migraines
Migraines
are a lot more common in women than in men. These types of headaches often run
in families. A person suffering from a migraine may experience the following:
·
Previous episodes of headaches
·
Head pain lasting for a couple days
·
Throbbing head pain, usually located to one side of
the head, worsened by activity
·
Nausea and/or vomiting
·
Sensitivity to sound and light
Possible causes: hormones, stress and
irregular sleeping or eating patterns.
Treatment: the doctor can
prescribe medication for the pain, but to prevent and reduce the pain
naturally, make sure you eat well and get sufficient sleep.
Cluster headache
Cluster
headaches last anything between 15 minutes to 3 hours, and range from moderate
to intense pain. They can occur multiple times a day, causing red and tearing
eyes.
Possible causes: smoking cigarettes,
drinking alcohol, eating certain foods and being at high altitudes.
Treatment: there is no specific
treatment; however, painkillers can help cut down the frequency and duration of
the headache.
Sinus headache
Symptoms
of a sinus headache includes sinus pressure, nasal congestion and watery eyes.
Possible causes: sinus infection, where
the sinus becomes inflamed and causes pain.
Treatment: antibiotics are
usually used to treat the infection. Antihistamines and decongestants also help
relieve sinus pain.
Chronic daily headache
Headaches
that occur more than 15 days per month over more than three months are called
chronic daily headaches.
Possible causes: overuse of pain
medication, head injury or, in very scares cases, tumors or meningitis.
Treatment: beta blockers, such as
metoprolol or propranolol may help as well as anti-seizure medications and pain
relievers such as naproxen.
Caffeine daily headache
Caffeine
headaches are usually caused by withdrawal symptoms from caffeine.
Possible causes: if your body is used
to receiving a lot of caffeine every day and you suddenly deprive yourself from
it, you may get a caffeine headache.
Treatment: quitting coffee
altogether will reduce headaches in the long run.
When to seek emergency care
Seek emergency care if you
experience a headache accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
·
Fainting
·
High fever
·
Weakness, numbness or paralysis
on one side of your body
·
Trouble speaking
·
Trouble seeing
·
Trouble walking
·
Stiff neck
·
Nausea or vomiting
·
Confusion
When to see a doctor
Consult with your doctor if
your headache:
·
Is more severe than
usual
·
Occurs often
·
Doesn’t improve even
after using appropriate medication
·
Affects your work,
sleep or activity schedule
·
Causes you distress
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