Occasional headaches are a common occurrence and usually don't require medical attention. Taking a pain reliever for headaches most days is a good idea. Migraines, however, are a type of severe headache that can last for days, or even weeks, at a time. They often start with a feeling of general illness that manifests itself a day or two before the headache begins.
Some people experience changes in the aura or bright, flashing vision before the pain starts. Tension headaches are the most common of all headaches and occur in about three out of four adults. Most of the time, they are mild to moderate in severity and occur infrequently. However, some people have severe tension headaches and some people get bothered three or four times a week.
If you have two or more headaches a week regularly and symptoms interfere with your daily activities, it is important to seek medical attention as there are many possible underlying causes that range from simple tension headaches to serious problems with the brain. Tension headaches can last a few hours, several days, weeks, or even months. Headaches are one of the most common pain conditions in the world and up to 75% of adults worldwide have had a headache in the past year. Having a headache is a pain literally and figuratively. Whether the pain is heartbreaking, throbbing, or all-encompassing, headaches can wreak havoc on your life.
And it's even worse when your headaches seem constant, as if the pain is bothering you all the time. Unfortunately, there is a surprisingly long list of causes of constant headaches; some reasons behind chronic headaches aren't serious while other causes may mean that a deeper health problem is at stake. A persistent headache is not automatically a sign of a serious underlying condition but it can be an indicator of a headache disorder. Because tension headaches recur in some people for years and because continued use of medications can cause serious side effects, prevention is key in the treatment of tension headaches. In addition, cluster headaches are usually not triggered by certain factors such as stress or hormonal changes like tension headaches and migraines. If you have what you would describe as the worst headache of your life, you should seek medical help immediately.
Learning what these headaches are by keeping a headache log can reduce the number of headaches you have. Most headaches are not life-threatening but occasionally a headache is a sign of a very serious condition. Because cervicogenic headaches can be caused by neck injuries or problems, the underlying cause must be addressed to relieve the headache. Ask your health care provider alternative treatment options for headaches and migraines such as antidepressants for chronic tension headaches. Even so, you should know when a headache needs urgent care and how to control the vast majority of headaches that do not threaten your health. Once you know the type of headache you have, you and your doctor can find the treatment that is likely to help you and even try to prevent it.
If headache symptoms get worse or occur more often despite treatment, ask your doctor to refer you to a headache specialist. To relieve a short-term headache during your period, typical headache remedies may help such as using ice or a cold pack, practicing relaxation techniques, or taking an over-the-counter pain relief medication. A true sinus headache is the result of an infection of the sinuses so the dirt that comes out of the nose will be yellow or green unlike clear discharge in cluster headaches or migraine headaches. As Mayo Clinic explains, hormonal birth control can have an effect on headache patterns; and for some people, hormonal contraception can make headaches less frequent and severe because they reduce the decrease in estrogen that occurs during the menstrual cycle. Your seasonal headache may be a cluster headache in spring, a summer migraine, or an allergy headache.
