Rashes Caused by Candida Infections
14 Types Of Headaches And How To Treat Them
There are many different types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraine headaches, ice pick headaches, and others. The cause, duration, and intensity can vary by type.
Many of us are familiar with some form of the throbbing, uncomfortable, and distracting pain of a headache. There are different types of headaches. The common types include:
Immediate medical attention needed
In some cases, a headache may require immediate medical attention. Seek immediate medical care if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms alongside your headache:
If your headache is less severe, read on to learn how to identify the type you may be experiencing and what you can do to ease your symptoms.
Primary headaches occur when the pain in your head is the condition. In other words, your headache isn't triggered by something your body is dealing with, like illness or allergies.
These headaches can be episodic or chronic:
The visual above is a general representation of where headaches may occur, but many can exist outside the areas noted.
Tension headacheIf you have a tension headache, you may feel a dull, aching sensation all over your head. Tenderness or sensitivity around your neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulder muscles also might occur.
Anyone can get a tension headache. Stress often triggers them.
Cluster headacheCluster headaches may occur with severe burning and piercing pain. They occur around or behind one eye or on one side of the face at a time. Symptoms may include:
These headaches occur in a series. Each headache can last from 15 minutes to 3 hours. During a cluster, people may experience headaches anywhere from one every other day to eight per day, usually around the same time each day. After one headache resolves, another will soon follow.
A series of cluster headaches can be daily for months at a time. In the months between clusters, people are symptom-free. Cluster headaches are more common in the spring and fall. They are also three times more common in men.
Doctors aren't sure what causes cluster headaches.
MigraineMigraine is a headache disorder that causes intense pulsing pain deep within your head. Migraine episodes may last between 4 and 72 hours untreated, significantly limiting your ability to carry out your daily routine. During one, you may experience:
About one-third of those with migraine experience visual disturbances before the headache phase starts. Known as migraine aura, it may cause you to see:
Auras can also include tingling on one side of your face or in one arm and trouble speaking.
Possible medical emergency
The symptoms of a stroke can also mimic a migraine episode. If any of these symptoms are new to you, seek immediate medical attention.
Migraine might run in your family, or the condition can be associated with other nervous system conditions. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), people assigned female at birth are three times more likely to develop migraine than people assigned male at birth. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also have an increased risk of migraine.
Common migraine triggers include environmental factors, such as:
Hemicrania continua is a moderate headache on one side of your head that lasts continuously for at least 3 months. You might feel periods of increased intensity a few times per day.
Researchers estimate it accounts for about 1% of headaches. It's most common in young adults.
This type of headache may also be accompanied by:
Primary stabbing headaches, or ice pick headaches, are characterized by short, intense stabbing pains in your head lasting only a few seconds.
These headaches can occur a few times daily and come on without warning. Ice pick headaches could feel like a single stab or multiple stabs in succession.
Ice pick headaches usually move to different parts of your head. If you have ice pick headaches that always occur in the same spot, it might be a symptom of an underlying condition.
Thunderclap headacheA thunderclap headache is a severe headache that comes on rapidly, reaching peak intensity in under a minute. It may be benign, but it could also be a symptom of a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
In some cases, a thunderclap headache could indicate:
The first time you experience a thunderclap headache, seek immediate medical attention. If a doctor determines that another condition does not cause your headache, you can discuss a treatment plan for possible future thunderclap headaches.
Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else that is going on in your body. If the trigger of your secondary headache is ongoing, your headaches can become chronic. Treating the primary cause generally brings headache relief.
Allergy or sinus headacheHeadaches sometimes happen as a result of an allergic reaction. The pain from these headaches is often focused in your sinus area and the front of your head.
Migraine is sometimes misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. People with chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis are susceptible to these headaches.
Hormone headachePeople who menstruate may experience headaches that are linked to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, using birth control pills, and pregnancy all affect estrogen levels, which can cause a headache.
Those headaches associated with the menstrual cycle are also known as menstrual migraine. These can occur between 3 days before your period to the third day of your period and during ovulation.
Caffeine headacheCaffeine affects blood flow to your brain. Too much can give you a headache, as can quitting caffeine "cold turkey." People who have frequent migraine headaches are at risk of triggering a headache due to caffeine use.
When you're used to exposing your brain to a certain amount of caffeine, a stimulant, each day, you might get a headache if you don't get caffeine. This may be because caffeine changes your brain chemistry, and withdrawal can trigger a headache.
Exertion headacheExertion headaches happen quickly after periods of intense physical activity. Weightlifting, running, and sexual intercourse are all common triggers for an exertion headache. It's thought that these activities cause increased blood flow to your skull, leading to a throbbing headache on both sides of your head.
An exertion headache shouldn't last too long. This type of headache usually resolves within a few minutes or several hours.
These headaches may also occur due to a secondary cause. If this type of headache is new to you or lasts longer, it may be best to seek medical attention for a diagnosis.
Hypertension headacheHigh blood pressure can cause a headache. This kind of headache signals an emergency. It occurs in some people when the blood pressure becomes dangerously high (greater than 180/120). In most cases, hypertension does not cause a headache.
A hypertension headache usually occurs on both sides of your head and is typically worse with any activity. It often has a pulsating quality.
Medical emergency
If you think you're experiencing a hypertension headache, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
You're more likely to develop this type of headache if you're treating high blood pressure.
Medication overuse headacheMedication overuse headaches, also known as rebound headaches, can feel like a dull, tension-type headache, or they may feel more intensely painful, like a migraine episode.
You may be more susceptible to this type of headache if you frequently use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Overuse of these medications leads to more headaches rather than fewer.
These headaches are likelier to occur anytime OTC medications are used more than 15 days a month. These OTC medications include:
They're also more common with medications that contain caffeine.
Post-traumatic headachePost-traumatic headaches can develop after any head injury. These headaches feel like tension headaches or migraine episodes. They usually last up to 6 to 12 months after your injury occurs. They can become chronic.
Spinal headacheA spinal headache results from low cerebrospinal fluid pressure following a lumbar puncture. For this reason, it's also known as a post-dural puncture headache. You might feel this headache in your:
Research estimates that spinal headaches follow a lumbar puncture between 10 and 40% of the time. Onset usually begins within 2 to 3 days but could start several months later. It can also occur following an epidural or spontaneously.
This headache typically worsens when you are upright and improves when you lie down.
Other symptoms of spinal headache include:
In most cases, episodic headaches will go away within 48 hours. If you have a headache lasting more than 2 days or increasing in intensity, consider talking with a doctor for help.
If you're getting headaches more than 15 days out of the month over 3 months, you might have a chronic headache condition. Even if you can manage the pain with OTC medications, consider talking with a doctor for a diagnosis.
Headaches can be a symptom of more serious health conditions, and some require treatment beyond OTC medications and home remedies.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.
You can expect your headache diagnosis to begin with a physical exam and medical history. If possible, keep a "headache journal" in the weeks leading up to your doctor's appointment. Document each of your headaches, including:
Because there are many types of headaches, many methods might be used to diagnose which type you are experiencing. Doctors must determine whether you have a primary or secondary headache to recommend effective treatment.
A primary care doctor might also refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist. You could require diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause for some headache types. These tests can include:
Different types of headaches are managed differently. Treatments could range from dietary adjustments to procedures performed by a medical professional.
Not everyone will respond to the same treatments, even for the same types of headaches. If you're experiencing headaches you cannot treat on your own, speak with a doctor about putting together a treatment plan.
Read on to learn more about common treatments for each type of headache.
Tension headacheAn OTC pain reliever may be all it takes to relieve your occasional headache symptoms. OTC pain relievers include:
If OTC medications aren't providing relief, a doctor may recommend prescription medication, such as:
If tension headaches become chronic, a doctor may suggest treatment to manage the underlying trigger.
Cluster headacheA doctor may recommend therapy or medication to provide relief for your symptoms. These may include:
After diagnosis, a doctor will work with you to develop a prevention plan. The following may put your cluster headaches into a period of remission:
MigraineIf OTC pain relievers don't reduce migraine pain during an attack, a doctor might prescribe triptans. Triptans decrease inflammation and change the flow of blood within your brain. They come in the form of nasal sprays, pills, and injections.
Popular options include:
Consider speaking with a doctor about taking a daily medication to prevent migraine episodes if you experience headaches that are:
According to a 2019 review, preventive migraine medications are significantly underused: Only 3 to 13% of those with migraine take preventive medication, while up to 38% may need it.
Preventing migraine dramatically improves the quality of life and productivity.
Helpful preventive migraine medications include:
Hemicrania continuaOne of the defining characteristics of hemicrania continua is a complete response to indomethacin, a drug in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family. A low dose three times daily with meals usually relieves symptoms within 24 hours.
Indomethacin can cause side effects, especially at higher doses, so doctors recommend taking the lowest effective dose.
Ice pick headacheIce pick headaches can be challenging to treat because they last a short duration. Most ice pick headaches are over before you can do much about them.
Preventive measures may reduce the frequency or intensity of future headaches. Treatment could include:
Thunderclap headacheIf your thunderclap headache results from another condition, you must treat the underlying condition.
If your thunderclap headache is not caused by something else, it's a primary thunderclap headache. Treatments for thunderclap headaches include:
Allergy or sinus headacheSinus headaches are treated by thinning out the mucus that builds up and causes sinus pressure. Options include:
A sinus headache can also be a symptom of a sinus infection. Depending on the cause, a doctor may prescribe medication to help clear the infection and relieve your headache and other symptoms.
Hormone headacheOTC pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve) or prescription medications like frovatriptan (Frova) can work to manage pain.
Alternative remedies may have a role in decreasing overall headaches per month. The following may help:
Caffeine headacheKeeping your caffeine intake at a steady, reasonable level — or quitting it entirely — can prevent these headaches from happening.
Exertion headacheOTC pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil), typically ease symptoms.
If you develop exertion headaches often, consider talking with a doctor. In some cases, exertion headaches may indicate a serious underlying condition.
Hypertension headacheThese types of headaches typically go away soon with better blood pressure management. They shouldn't reoccur as long as high blood pressure continues to be managed.
Medication overuse headacheThe only treatment for medication overuse headaches is to wean yourself off the medication you've been taking to manage pain. Although the pain may initially worsen, it should completely subside within a few days.
Taking a daily preventive medication that doesn't cause medication overuse headaches may prevent them from occurring.
Post-traumatic headacheDoctors often prescribe the following medications to manage these headaches:
Initial treatment for spinal headaches usually includes pain relievers and hydration. It also helps to avoid being in an upright position. Symptoms typically go away on their own after a week or two.
In some cases, an epidural blood patch might be used. This is a procedure in which a small amount of blood is taken from your body and injected back into your epidural space. It can help stop cerebrospinal fluid from leaking, stopping the headaches.
Many headaches can be managed with preventive measures, but methods differ by headache type. Some headache types might be prevented with medication, while the same medication might cause others.
You can discuss preventive treatments with a doctor to find a plan that fits your needs. Headache prevention could reduce headache frequency or intensity or prevent headaches altogether.
Lifestyle changes that may prevent or improve headaches can include:
Migraine headaches may be prevented with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one CGRP medication, galcanezumab (Emgality), to prevent cluster headaches.
Your outlook depends on the type of headache you're having.
Primary headaches don't cause permanent disability or death. However, they could be debilitating temporarily if they are frequent and severe enough. These headache types can often be managed when diagnosed and treated.
The outlook for secondary headaches depends on the underlying cause. Some can be managed through simple routine changes, while others could be fatal without immediate medical assistance.
If you're experiencing recurring or severe headaches. An accurate diagnosis will be the first step in understanding and managing your headaches in the future.
Read this article in Spanish.
Neck Inflammation: The Hidden Culprit Behind Common Headaches
Recent research by Dr. Nico Sollmann has uncovered objective evidence linking neck muscle inflammation to primary headaches, paving the way for more effective and targeted treatments for conditions like migraines and tension-type headaches.
Researchers presenting at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) have discovered objective evidence showing the involvement of neck muscles in primary headaches. This breakthrough could pave the way for more effective treatments.
The distinct underlying causes of primary headaches are still not fully understood. The most common primary headaches are tension-type headaches and migraines.
"Our imaging approach provides first objective evidence for the very frequent involvement of the neck muscles in primary headaches, such as neck pain in migraine or tension-type headache, using the ability to quantify subtle inflammation within muscles," said Nico Sollmann, M.D., Ph.D., resident in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at University Hospital Ulm, and the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology at University Hospital Rechts der Isar in Munich, Germany.
Understanding Tension-Type HeadachesTension-type headaches affect two out of every three adults in the U.S. People with tension-type headaches often feel a tightening in the head and mild to moderate dull pain on both sides of the head. While these headaches are typically associated with stress and muscle tension, their exact origin is not fully understood.
Migraines are characterized by severe throbbing pain. Migraines generally occur on one side of the head, or the pain is worse on one side. Migraines may also cause nausea, weakness, and light sensitivity. According to the American Migraine Foundation, over 37 million people in the U.S. Are affected by migraine, and up to 148 million people worldwide suffer from chronic migraine.
Exemplary cases for trapezius muscle segmentations. (A) Segmentation masks of the bilateral trapezius muscles (red areas) in a 25-year-old female and (B) in a 24-year-old male. Credit: RSNA/Nico Sollmann, M.D., Ph.D.
Neck Pain and HeadachesNeck pain is commonly associated with primary headaches. However, no objective biomarkers exist for myofascial involvement. Myofascial pain is associated with inflammation or irritation of muscle or of the connective tissue, known as fascia, that surrounds the muscle.
For the study, Dr. Sollmann and colleagues aimed to investigate the involvement of the trapezius muscles in primary headache disorders by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to explore associations between muscle T2 values and headache and neck pain frequency.
The prospective study included 50 participants, mostly women, ranging in age from 20 to 31 years old. Of the study group, 16 had tension-type headaches, and 12 had tension-type headaches plus migraine episodes. The groups were matched with 22 healthy controls.
All participants underwent a 3D turbo spin-echo MRI. The bilateral trapezius muscles were manually segmented, followed by muscle T2 extraction. Associations between muscle T2 values and the presence of neck pain, number of days with headache, and number of myofascial trigger points as determined by manual palpation of the trapezius muscles were analyzed (adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index).
Findings from the MRI StudyThe tension-type headache plus migraine group demonstrated the highest muscle T2 values. Muscle T2 was significantly associated with the number of headache days and the presence of neck pain. The increased muscle T2 values could be interpreted as a surrogate of inflammation arising from the nervous system and increased sensitivity of nerve fibers within myofascial tissues.
"The quantified inflammatory changes of neck muscles significantly correlate with the number of days lived with headache and the presence of subjectively perceived neck pain," Dr. Sollmann said. "Those changes allow us to differentiate between healthy individuals and patients suffering from primary headaches."
Muscle T2 mapping could be used to stratify patients with primary headaches and to track potential treatment effects for monitoring.
Implications and Future Directions"Our findings support the role of neck muscles in the pathophysiology of primary headaches," Dr. Sollmann said. "Therefore, treatments that target the neck muscles could lead to a simultaneous relief of neck pain, as well as headache."
Dr. Sollmann pointed out that non-invasive treatment options that directly target the site of pain in the neck muscles could be highly effective and safer than systemic drugs.
"Our imaging approach with the delivery of an objective biomarker could facilitate therapy monitoring and patient selection for certain treatments in the near future," he added.
Meeting: 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America
Co-authors are Paul Schandelmaier, M.D., Gabby B. Joseph, Ph.D., Dimitrios C. Karampinos, Ph.D., Meinrad J. Beer, M.D., Claus Zimmer, M.D., Florian Heinen, M.D., Thomas Baum, M.D., and Michaela V. Bonfert. M.D.
Discover The Connection Between Migraines And Your Eyes: New Study Reveals Link And Potential Biomarkers
Girl with a headache
Image by stefamerpik on FreepikThis story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece is part of a series dedicated to the eye and improvements in restoring vision.
In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time to normal function. I include a full spectrum of chemical, gene, and protein-based medicines, cell-based therapies, and biomechanical interventions that achieve that goal.
A new study published in the journal Headache sheds light on the link between migraines and the eye, revealing new potential biomarkers for this complex condition. If you are one of the more than one billion people who suffer from migraines, you know they can come with a variety of sensations and pains. If you don't live with migraines, imagine this.
You're sitting at your desk, your eyes glued to the computer screen, and you feel a strange sensation creeping up on you. Suddenly, your vision becomes fuzzy and distorted, and despite your best efforts, the sensation persists.
In disbelief, you watch flashing lights and zigzag patterns dance before your eyes, accompanied by a tingling sensation that spreads across your face and hands. The aura envelopes you, making it hard to focus on your work. You realize this is a migraine aura, a warning sign that an overwhelming headache may be coming.
Migraines can be debilitating, affecting approximately 12% of the population globally. Intense headaches often characterize them but can cause visual disturbances, such as flashing lights or blurry vision. A lesser-known aspect of migraines is their potential impact on the retina, the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye.
Exploring Migraine MechanismsOver the years, multiple theories have been proposed to explain the mechanisms underlying this debilitating condition. One of the most well-accepted hypotheses is the neurovascular theory, which proposes that both neural and vascular components interact to trigger a migraine attack. The theory suggests that an initial neuronal event within the brain leads to a cascade of events culminating in a neurovascular headache.
Another theory that holds considerable clout is the neurogenic theory, which maintains that migraines are primarily a neurogenic process with secondary changes in cerebral perfusion. This robust theory suggests that neuronal hyperexcitability, neurogenic inflammation, and neurovascular disorders all play a role in the development and maintenance of migraines.
While still theoretical, emerging research investigating the molecular and genetic bases of migraines may, in time, provide us with even more insights into the complex physiological mechanisms underlying this enigmatic and enervating condition. For now, it's essential to explore the types of migraine and how we can "see" them in the retina.
Types of MigrainesMigraines are a type of headache that can be debilitating and affect people's quality of life. They are classified into two main types: migraines with and without aura. An aura is a sensory experience that precedes or accompanies a migraine episode and can manifest differently in different people.
Visual auras are the most common type of aura experienced by people with migraines. These can include seeing flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or blind spots in their vision. Some people may see bright lines or spots that move across their field of vision. Visual auras can last for several minutes to an hour and can be followed by a headache.
Types of Migraine Auras
By Migraine CanadaVarious types of auras can cause sensory disturbances such as tingling or numbness in the face or hands. This sensation can be similar to pins and needles or an electric shock. During an aura, some individuals may experience difficulty speaking or expressing themselves. They may also have trouble remembering words or names. Migraines associated with these symptoms are commonly referred to as hemiplegic migraines.
It's important to note that not everyone with migraines experiences auras. However, for those who do, they can be a helpful warning sign that a headache is on its way.
Migraines and the RetinaThe relationship between migraines and the retina has been a research topic for several years, with evidence pointing to reduced blood flow and abnormal vascular function in the retina during migraine episodes. However, the traditional methods for studying the retina are limited in their ability to capture these phenomena, leading researchers to explore new imaging technologies such as optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
The study published in Headache used technology called OCTA to look at the tiny blood vessels in the eyes of people who get migraines. They compared people with migraines during and between attacks, as well as healthy people. The study found less blood flow to the retina during migraine attacks. This was true for both migraines, with or without an "aura."
A Headache-free ComparisonThe interictal analysis, performed when the patient is not experiencing a migraine episode, revealed a significant difference in the blood perfusion of the foveal region between patients with migraines with aura and those without aura. The fovea is a small, central retina area that provides sharp and detailed vision.
Visualization of the interictal foveal vessel flux index (VFI) in a representative healthy control ... [+] (HC), migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) participant.
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Headache Society.The study suggests that distinct retinal vascular signatures might be potential biomarkers for migraines. The finding of lower blood perfusion in the foveal region in patients with migraines with aura compared to those without aura suggests that there might be a correlation between this particular region of the retina and the occurrence of migraines with aura.
These findings have important implications for diagnosing and treating migraines, as they suggest that different types of migraines may have distinct physiological characteristics that can be identified through retinal imaging. This could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans for migraine patients.
Limitations and Significance of the Research The study's sample size is small, including only 37 patients with migraines with aura, 30 with migraines without aura, and 20 healthy controls. Regardless of this limitation, the study's findings are significant, and they have the potential to lead to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for migraines. Finding biomarkers to distinguish between migraines and track their progression over time could be a breakthrough. It's essential to continue research in this direction. The researchers acknowledge that the mechanisms underlying migraines and their relationship with the retina are not fully understood. However, their study provides new clues and evidence for further exploration. In the future, doctors and researchers can use OCTA to track changes in the retina and adjust treatment plans accordingly. This could lead to a brighter future for those affected by migraines, offering new hope for relief and a better quality of life. To learn more about the eye, read more stories at www.Williamhaseltine.Com
Comments
Post a Comment