Headaches can be a nuisance, but they can also be a sign of something more serious. Knowing the different types of headaches and their symptoms can help you determine the best course of action for treating them. Cluster headaches are a type of primary headache that usually occur at night and tend to come back at the same time every day. They are characterized by intense pain on one side of the head, usually around the eye or temple area.
Your doctor may be able to connect you with support groups, give you medication, or arrange oxygen therapy, which has been shown to help reduce the number of cluster headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. Globally, about 46-78% of people experience it at some point. They often begin during a person's adolescence and are caused by muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, scalp or jaw.
Tension headaches are usually mild to moderate in intensity and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. Sinus headaches are usually a symptom of a sinus infection, which is usually bacterial in nature. If a doctor determines that your headache is not caused by another condition, you can discuss a treatment plan for possible thunder headaches in the future. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by an injury or dysfunction in the neck and radiate from your neck to the back of your head.
Experts estimate that about 18 to 58% of people with this type of brain injury experience a post-traumatic headache over the next year. You may be more susceptible to this type of headache if you use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers often. Migraines are a type of primary headache that is more severe than tension headaches and can last for hours or even days. People who have frequent migraines are at risk of triggering a headache due to caffeine consumption.
If the health professional finds an abnormality in the neurological examination, the diagnosis of tension headache should be discontinued until the possibility of other causes of headache is investigated. Learning what these headaches are by keeping track of your headaches can reduce the number of headaches you have. For chronic headaches, your doctor may prescribe medications based on the specific type of headache you have. The hypothalamus, an area located at the base of the brain, is responsible for the body's biological clock and can be the source of this type of headache.
