What kind of headache are you suffering? - Read 2015 Research

Source:greenacres

It's important to figure out what type of headache is causing your pain. If you know your headache type, you can treat it correctly. In one 2015 study, 90% of people who had a recent history of self-described or doctor-diagnosed sinus headache, but no signs of sinus infection, actually met the criteria for migraine.

Here are some tips that will put a name to your pain.

Migraine headaches

Migraines can run in families and are diagnosed using certain criteria.

• No less than five previous episodes of headaches
• Lasting between 4–72 hours
• No less than two out of these four: one-sided pain, throbbing pain, moderate-to-severe pain, and pain that interfere with, are worsened by, or prohibits routine activity
• No less than one associated feature: nausea and/or vomiting, or, if those are not present, then sensitivity to light and sound
• About 15% to 20% of people with migraines experience migraine may be foreshadowed by aura, such as visual distortions or hand numbness.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches, the most common type, feel like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. Not as severe as migraines, they don't usually cause nausea or vomiting, and they rarely halt daily activities.

Over-the-counter treatments, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are usually sufficient to treat them. Experts believe these may be caused by the contraction of neck and scalp muscles (including in response to stress), and possibly changes in brain chemicals

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Read More: Headache Cause by Muscle Weakness

Sinus headaches

When a sinus becomes inflamed, often due to an infection, it can cause pain. It usually comes with a fever and can be diagnosed by symptoms or the presence of pus viewed through a fiber-optic scope.

Headaches due to sinus infection can be treated with antibiotics, as well as antihistamines or decongestants.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches, which affect more men than women, are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. They appear suddenly and are characterized by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head, and are often accompanied by a watery eye and nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side of the face.

During an attack, people often feel restless and unable to get comfortable; they are unlikely to lie down, as someone with a migraine might. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but there may be a genetic component. There is no cure, but medication can cut the frequency and duration.

Rebound headaches

Overuse of painkillers for headaches can, ironically, lead to rebound headaches. Culprits include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), as well as prescription drugs.

One theory is that too much medication can cause the brain to shift into an excited state, triggering more headaches. Another is that rebound headaches are a symptom of withdrawal as the level of medicine drops in the bloodstream.

Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.National Headache Foundation