Do you suffer from headaches? If so, you are not alone. They are one of the most common health issues faced by people today, and there is a lot to know about them. From the different types of headaches to the treatments that can help, this blog post will provide a comprehensive primer by breaking things down. We will also discuss when you should seek medical help, and why all the other tips within this blog will be helpful too. So, if you want to learn more, read on for everything you wanted to know!
What is a headache?
I am sure we are all familiar with what a headache feels like. But have you ever really thought about what it is… not just what it feels like? We talk a lot around here about chronic pain not being a great indicator of tissue damage. I think the common headache is an excellent example of this. They hurt like the blazes and can be 100% life-altering – and yet – damage to tissue isn’t usually the issue! While most headaches aren’t dangerous, certain types probably warrant some investigation.
A headache is a pain in your head or face that can be described as a pressure that’s throbbing, constant, sharp or dull. Headaches can differ greatly in regard to pain type, severity, location, and frequency. Cause we are all different and experience pain differently. Me, I’m a headache wimp and I know it.
The pain results from signals interacting among your brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. During a headache, multiple mechanisms activate specific nerves that affect muscles and blood vessels. These nerves send input signals to your brain, and the output is the pain. The pain occurs just like any other pain.
Understanding Different Types of Primary Headaches
According to Harvard, there are more than 300 types of headaches, but only about 10% have a known cause. The others are called primary headaches. Today we are going to be talking about the different types of primary headaches. Meaning when the headache IS the problem. Not secondary headaches which are symptoms of other conditions and situations. Mayo Clinic has an excellent list of secondary causes you can check out here.
Tension
Tension-type headaches, the most common primary headaches, can be categorized into two main types: episodic and chronic. Episodic tension-type occur less than 15 days per month, while chronic tension-type headaches occur 15 or more days per month for at least three months. They are often caused by muscle tension and stress, leading to a dull, non-throbbing pain. Triggers such as anxiety, fatigue, and poor posture can worsen tension-type headaches. Recognizing the differences between episodic and chronic tension-type headaches can help individuals seek appropriate treatment and management strategies.
Cluster
Cluster headaches are considered to be one of the most severe types of headaches. While they are uncommon, they can be extremely debilitating for those who experience them. And they occur about five times more often in men than in women. Fun, huh?
Unlike other types of headaches that may occur sporadically, cluster headaches come in clusters or groups.
During a cluster period:
- Headaches usually occur every day, sometimes several times a day
- A single attack can last from 15 minutes to three hours
- The attacks often occur at the same time each day
- Most attacks occur at night, usually 1 to 2 hours after you go to bed
The pain usually ends as suddenly as it began, with rapidly decreasing intensity. After attacks, most people are pain-free but exhausted.
In addition to the intense, one-side of the head/ face pain, there are several other symptoms that are often associated with clusters.
These can include:
- eye pain
- red and watery eye on the affected side
- a drooping eyelid
- a runny or blocked nose
- restlessness,
- agitation
- nausea
- sensitivity to light and sound.
Interestingly, inhaling high-flow oxygen soon after the onset of a headache can often stop the attack and provide relief.
It is worth noting that while cluster headaches are very painful, they are not life-threatening. We all know that they can greatly impact a person’s quality of life and ability to carry out daily activities. Seeking help from a medical professional is a really good idea for help with medical management.
Migraine with or without Aura
A migraine is a common neurological condition that causes a variety of symptoms, most notably a throbbing, pulsing headahce on one side of your head. Often making you wish you could remove your head… Your migraine will likely get worse with physical activity, lights, sounds, or smells. It may last at least four hours or even days. About 12% of Americans have this genetic disorder. Research shows that it’s the sixth most disabling condition in the world. Remember that next time you think you aren’t tough enough, ok!
About 20% of people get a warning light or symptom known as an aura. This can occur before or with the pain. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg and difficulty speaking.
Did you know many people mislabel migraines as tension, sinus, or stress headaches?! Yup. In typical cases, the pain is on one side of the head, often beginning around the eye and temple before spreading to the back of the head. The pain is frequently severe and is described as throbbing or pulsating. Nausea is common, and many migraine patients have a watering eye, a running nose, or congestion. If these symptoms are prominent, they may lead to a misdiagnosis of sinus headaches. One way to remember the features of migraine is to use the word POUND
P is for pulsating pain
O for one-day duration of severe untreated attacks
U for unilateral (one-sided) pain
N for nausea and vomiting
D for disabling intensity.
Side note on Vestibular Migraines
Since I worked in a vestibular clinic for a while, I feel it necessary to point out that vestibular migraines are also a “thing”. Instead of pain, or sometimes with pain, the person experiences vertigo. Meaning ya get all dizzy and off balance and the world just ain’t right! If you are experiencing this – please go see a professional that treats it – a PT that specializes in vestibular issues is an excellent place to start. There are many treatments that can help and many of them are a cross-over for chronic pain.
What causes them?
Common triggers for primary headaches are often lifestyle choices. Including but not limited to:
- Consuming alcohol, particularly red wine, (Oh do I have a doozy of a story to share about this!)
- Fermented foods, chocolate, and cheese.
- Increase or decrease in caffeine
- Skipping meals
- Artificial sweeteners
- Experiencing changes in sleep patterns
- Exposure to allergens
- Second-hand smoke
- Strong odors
- Barometric pressure changes ( up or down)
- Certain Medications
- Increased blood flow from exercise or sex
- Stress can also be a major trigger for primary headaches, which include emotional stress.
Moreover, primary headaches tend to run in families, especially migraines. Children who have migraines usually have at least one biological parent who also experiences them. In fact, kids whose parents have migraines are up to four times more likely to develop them. (Ask my daughter, she’ll tell ya her Dad and Grandma both had them!)
For many people, it can be really helpful to keep a headache diary for a while to see patterns can be seen.
The University of Wisconsin has a good one on its website, and am I sure a quick Google search will help you find one you like.
When do I need to seek help?
Pain that is interfering with normal life always deserves intervention. There is a difference between needing a pain coach like me to help you manage and find new tools and when an MD needs to get involved.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, seek emergency care:
- Headache with a fever, mental confusion, speaking difficulties, shortness of breath
- Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
- A sudden, new, and severe headache.
- Getting a new type of headache after age 55.
- Dizziness/ loss of balance
- Weakness. Numbness or tingling.
- Seizures.
- Personality changes/inappropriate behavior.
- NEW Vision changes (blurry vision, double vision or blind spots).
These are your headache red flags and warrant a visit to the doc, if not the ER!
How do I get rid of it?
When it comes to alleviating headache pain, there are various approaches you can take. One of the most effective ways is to identify and avoid your triggers. By keeping a headache log, you can pinpoint specific triggers that may be causing your headaches. Once you know what triggers your headaches, you can take steps to avoid those triggers and reduce the frequency.
Stress management techniques can also be highly effective in relieving headache pain. Many people experience headaches when they are tense or anxious, so learning how to manage stress can significantly reduce the occurrence of stress-induced headaches. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques can all help in managing stress and reducing pain. Your shocked by this… right?
Biofeedback is another treatment option that can provide relief for headaches. This technique involves using sensors to monitor your body’s physiological responses and providing you with feedback on how to control them. By learning to control these responses, such as muscle tension or heart rate, you can effectively reduce headache pain. ( Body Scans are a great way to start this on your own!)
In some cases, medication may be necessary to alleviate headache pain. Your provider can prescribe appropriate medications based on your specific headache type and frequency. They know best, so ask them to help here.
Treating the underlying medical condition or cause of your headaches is also crucial in finding long-term relief. Identifying and addressing any underlying medical conditions, such as sinusitis or migraines, can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches.
Remember, not all headaches require medication, and there are various non-pharmacological treatments available. You can effectively alleviate headache pain and improve your overall quality of life. All the tools to calm a cranky nervous system work for headaches too. The good news here is there is hope, and as horrific as headaches can be, they too can be tamed.
Need some help figuring out how to help yourself best? Book a 1:1 consult with me and I’ll help get you sorted!
