Defining the Differences in Headaches
We’ve all been there, suffering through the day because of throbbing
discomfort in our heads. And while all headaches might be a pain, they’re
not all the same. There are a variety of headaches, but according to the
National Headache Foundation, every type falls into one of two basic categories: primary or benign and
secondary.Primary headaches are more common and occur for no obvious reason
while secondary headaches are relatively rare and usually the result of
an underlying disease on medical condition. Below, we take a look at four
of the most well known headache types and the symptoms of each.
1. Tension: The most common type of headache, tension-type headaches actually occur
in two forms: episodic and chronic. Both forms can affect both sides of
the head and can be described as dull, non-pulsating pain in the temples,
forehead, back of the head and/or neck. Episodic tension headaches tend
to be a result of temporary stress, anxiety, anger or fatigue. A chronic
tension headache, however, can occur daily or with varying levels of pain
throughout a 24-hour cycle and is usually a result of extreme anxiety,
depression and insomnia.
2. Migraine:Affecting more than 37 million people in the United States, migraines
can last anywhere from four to 72 hours and are typically described as
moderate to severe pain occurring in one side of the head. More than 70
percent of sufferers have a family history of migraines and they are commonly
misdiagnosed as tension or sinus headaches. One in five sufferers can
experience what’s called an “aura,” or changes in specific
nerve cells, which can cause visual (wavy lines or dots) or sensory symptoms
(numbness) or a disturbance in speech.
3. Cluster: Occurring more often in men than in women, cluster headaches, or a grouping
of attacks typically occurs on one side of the head around or behind the
eye. A cluster headache tends to last between 15 minutes and three hours
and can feel sharp and severe after minimal warning. Sufferers can experience
anywhere from one to four headaches per day during a clustering period
and many report feeling no pain at all between clustering periods. Cluster
headaches are known to occur early in the morning or during the middle
of the night, earning the nickname, “alarm clock headaches.”
4. Sinus:Pain from sinus headaches can be described as constant and dull and can
be exaggerated by head or neck movement. While a majority of people believe
they are experiencing a sinus headache, in actuality, over 90 percent
of patients are actually experiencing migraines. Actual sinus headaches
are quite rare and typically only occur in conjunction with acute sinus
infections.
While over-the-counter medication can be used to treat many headaches,
it’s important to consult with a medical professional before starting
any self-treatment.