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TENSION TYPE
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This headache type has been also
called "muscle contraction headache" since many many researchers have cited neck and muscle pain as the
origin of the headache. Many physicians now believe that muscle
stiffness is the outcome of a chemical change in the brain. This
new theory makes sense since many agents used to treat migraine
(vascular headache) also work well to control and eliminate tension
headache pain. The typical features of tension headache are generally
a 2-sided, band-like, pressing pain that does not seem to get worse
with activity (unlike migraine). The pain is usually mild to moderate
in nature. The belief that stress is the underlying cause and once
eliminated, will discontinue the headache, has been proven false
by millions of people. Unquestionably, stress does play a role in
your ability to minimize and control headache pain. However, the
cause and effect of stress and it's overexaggerance among non-traditional
therapists is currently challenged by many headache specialists.
70-90% of the population suffers from the occasional tension-type
headache. |
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CLUSTER
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This type of headache has also been called "suicide
headache" or "ice-pick headache"
due to the extremely excruciating stabbing pain felt in the eyeball
area of the sufferer. The name "cluster" was chosen to
identify these headaches which come in a series or succession for
months at a time. Most cluster sufferers experience a period of
remission, where the headaches mysteriously disappear (months or
years)and then to only re-appear. Occasionally, the chronic form
develops referred to as "chronic cluster headache".
Cluster headaches have been connected to REM sleep and are caused
because of a lack of oxygen and dilated blood vessels. Cluster headache
pain is described as a red hot poker being pushed through the eyeball
of the sufferer. A teary eye and a blocked or discharged nostril
are also common symptoms. Due to the mysteriousness and ferocity
of these headaches, many sufferers suspect, or are advised, of a
pinched nerve, or neck injury. Nasal surgery has been incorrectly
performed in some cases of mistaken headache diagnosis. |
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REBOUND /
MEDICATION-INDUCED
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Many sufferers develop "rebound
headaches" from taking too much pain medicine,
too often. The daily or frequent use of over-the-counter (OTC)
medicines can often lead to this condition. Researchers suggest
medication with caffeine or ergotamine are particularly at fault.
The pain associated with rebound headaches is a pressing, dull,
diffuse pain that is typically felt all over the head (much like
tension-type). Rebound headaches are usually worse in the morning
hour and often can be felt on the front or top of the head. Typically,
a cycle of medication use, followed by partial headache relief,
followed by another headache, can be suggestive to "rebound
/ medication-induced headaches". |
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SINUS
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Many people falsely suspect they suffer from
"sinus headaches" since they
feel headache pain in the facial area. Similarly, a blocked nostril
or stuffy feeling leads many sufferers to self-diagnose the condition,
sinus headache. Most often this description does not prove to be
sinus headache. Headaches caused from sinus infection are usually
associated with a low grade fever and can be detected from an x-ray
of the sinus cavity. Antibiotic treatment will clear up the problem
if the headaches are caused from sinus infection. Migraine pain
typically causes pressure and headache in the facial area and can
be confused for sinus pain. Headache associated with allergies are
also quite uncommon. |
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HEAD
INJURY
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These headaches are typically felt as a steady
ache affecting both sides of the head and occurring daily or almost
everyday (similar to chronic tension-type headache). The pain is
usually of slight to moderate intensity. Bouts of severe or moderately
severe headache may also occur and these are often similar to, if
not identical, with "migraine"
(one-sided throbbing pain with nausea and sensitivity to light and
noise). Dizziness, ringing of the ears, vague blurring of vision,
depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance are only a few of the
associated complaints surrounding "head injuries".
Headache immediately following a head injury usually clears after
minutes or days, but occasionally "post traumatic
headaches" develop from months of headache suffering.
It is rare for a headache triggered from a bump on the head, to
be present 6 months after the closed head injury. |
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RARE
HEADACHES
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Rare headaches can be
secondary to some underlying disease or medical ailment. Usually,
once the condition is stopped - the secondary headache goes away.
Some examples of rare headaches may
include:
Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania
(cluster-like symptoms found almost always in females and highly
treatable with Indomethacin). It is normally short-lasting, multiple
attacks that may last 2-10 minutes several times a day.
“Ice-Cream Headache”
The official term for this type of headache is “cold stimulus”
headache because it occurs between the eyes after eating or drinking
something very cold. It does not last any longer than five minutes
and may be prevented by eating ice cream slowly, small amounts,
and by letting it melt in the mouth before swallowing.
Sex or Exertional Headache
(Coital Headache)
Mostly a male problem - this benign headache is usually a sudden,
severe, throbbing pain over the back of the head or over the entire
head. This condition usually only lasts for a few minutes and
can be associated with sexual exertion.
Ice-Pick like Pains or “Jabs
and Jolts”
These stabbing brief episodes of pain can be felt at anytime,
anywhere in the head area. The cause of these headaches remains
to be a mystery.
Migraine Equivalents
(Migraine without the headache)
These stroke-like symptoms can occur at any age. These headaches
are more common in children than in adults and therefore are difficult
to diagnose. People with the classical migraine (migraine with
aura), they may find that the aura symptoms continue to recur,
as they age, but often without the subsequent headache.
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