What are the Common Types of Headaches?

Headaches are most commonly categorized by pain and tenderness in the head. People can experience it in any part of the head, and it mostly doesn’t show signs of serious illness. There might be times when headaches can occur due to disease or injury, and consulting a doctor is crucial.

Rooting to the cause of the headache, they can be classified into two different segments: primary and secondary. The primary issues are minor cases that are not caused by any other condition. At the same time, the secondary problems result from other considerable health problems. 

There can be exceptional cases where secondary headaches can range from harmless to dangerous. Sometimes these issues can resolve and diminish with over-the-counter drugs. But if it remains persistent and doesn’t improve, patients need to seek medical help from professional health practitioners.

Different Types of Headaches

There are a wide variety of headaches that vary with symptoms and causes. While most of them are short-lived, some remain persistent for a prolonged time. Recognising the kind of headache a patient is experiencing will inform them of the best ways to treat it.

This article scouts some of the most common headache types with their source, treatment and prevention. Read through.

• Cluster Headache

Sometimes, severe and recurrent headaches might occur, resulting in cluster headaches. This issue is most commonly found in males more than females. Patients complain about extensive piercing and burning pain around the eye.

This pain comes like an attack suddenly and lasts from fifteen minutes to three hours. It is likely to occur mainly in smokers, and people should avoid consuming drugs and alcohol.

Ways to Cure

Medicated drugs like steroids, melatonin, sumatriptan, oxygen therapy, etc., can help in reducing the severity of attacks. If medication doesn’t improve the same, patients must acquire vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation.

Prevention

People experiencing cluster headaches should detox themselves from consuming alcohol, drugs and tobacco. This will help in preventing the disorder from coming time and again.

• Tension-Sort Headache

This type of headache occurs to almost every person at least once in their lifetime. A constant dull pain remains persistent on both sides of the head. Sometimes people feel tenderness on their head, face, shoulders and neck. People also experience sensitivity to light and sound, creating pressure behind the eyes.

Ways to Cure

The most common way of curing this kind of headache is by consuming over-the-counter medicines. 

Prevention

By maintaining a proper diet, getting sufficient sleep, and exercising regularly, patients can overcome this disorder.

• Hangover Headaches

The throbbing pain inside the head is caused due to excessive consumption of alcohol. It remains persistent on the same day and even later the following day. This headache usually occurs on both sides of the head and worsens with significant movement. People might also experience sensitivity to light and nausea at the same time.

Ways to Cure

There are no medication cures for hangover headaches. However, eating sugary food and drinking lemon water might relieve the symptoms.

Prevention

Make sure to consume moderately and not on an empty stomach. Drinking loads of water will dilute the solution, thereby helping to manage the hangover headache.

• Migraine

A thumping pain usually experienced on one side of the head is migraine pain. Patients with this disorder experience a heightened sensitivity to sound, smell and light. Besides, vomiting and nausea are also expected, along with visual and sensory disturbances. 

In the worst case scenario, the aura symptoms might also indicate signs of meningitis or stroke.

Ways to Cure

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the treatment options for migraine headaches vary. Patients can use over-the-counter NSAIDs drugs like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen. However, patients can also consult with general physicians and seek medical attention if required.

Prevention

Patients can consider changing their diets, managing stress, and acupuncture to prevent migraine headaches. They can also consume drugs like propranolol, topiramate, and amitriptyline.

• Head Injury

A significant head injury might lead to a considerable headache. Patients can always use over-the-counter medicines for curing the same. But if the pain doesn’t resolve and worsens with time, one needs to seek immediate medical attention.

If there is a severe head injury, people can experience seizures, unconsciousness, memory loss, vomiting, etc. So it is recommended to call an ambulance and get it treated in a hospital by professionals.

To Conclude

Headaches are common issues, and OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen can cure them. But if the headache is recurrent, persistent and worsens over time, seeking medical assistance is always recommended. So, it is best to consult with the doctors of Apollo Hospitals. They can diagnose the actual issue, and suggest medications depending on the exact condition. As a result, it would be easier for you to find the best treatments and solutions to the problem.