Headache

It’s relatively easy to feel that you have a headache. However, there are different pains associated with different types of headaches, some ranging from mild to severe and lasting over a long period of time.

Most people from time to time have pain in the head, throbbing above the forehead and between the eyes. It may just be a mild, dull ache that can be cured easily with rest or an over-the-counter pain reliever. These common headaches are called tension headaches. Tension headaches are part of what doctors call “primary headaches” and are not associated with any type of disease. They are caused by stress or muscle tension, changes in diet or fatigue. They don’t usually last very long and are just a minor inconvenience for many. People can usually go about their normal activities with a tension headache.

If you have headache pain that feels like a throbbing and burning ache on one side of the head and occur consistently over a period of time, these are called cluster headaches. They can last for days or months if not treated correctly. Men more often than women have cluster headaches. The pain can sometimes shift from one side of the head to the other during a cluster headache period. The pain from a cluster headache is often described as a stabbing feeling on one side of the head that comes and goes with intensity. Cluster headaches can be extremely painful and unlike other headaches, it can cause a sense of restlessness rather than fatigue. You may feel swelling on the affected side, as well as irritation to the eye and sinuses.

For those people who have migraine headaches, it is very easy to identify the pain associated with migraines. They often begin with what is called an “aura” which is usually a disruption in your vision, like “seeing stars,” tunnel vision and general sensitivity to light. Some migraine suffers say they experience a “brain freeze” moment where their head and sinuses become tense and uncomfortable. Unlike cluster headaches, migraine suffers feel an urge to rest, most often in a cool, dark room. The pain associated with migraines can also lead to nausea, vomiting and irritability. Muscle tension and general aches are also affiliated with migraine headaches. Migraines can also last for a long period of time if not treated. Often, prescription medicine is needed to relieve the pain of a migraine headache.

Stress headaches are also another common primary headache. Stress headaches, as indicated by their name, are brought on my increased stress levels and the tensing of the muscles and body caused by stress. Relaxation and exercise are effective to fight off stress headaches as they lower the tension level in the body. Stress headaches are often minor, and can be treated with pain relievers or by rest.

What doctors call “secondary headaches” are more severe and may be a sign of some type of serious health condition like stroke, cancer or meningitis. While less common, severe headache pain that mixes the symptoms of migraines and other headache pain may warrant a doctor’s attention. Doctors may do a number of tests to determine if your severe headache pain is a symptom of a more serious problem.
However, for the most part, headache pain is a minor annoyance that can be remedied with a little rest and relaxation, and maybe a simple pain reliever. Some people rely on more homeopathic remedies like herbs or aromatherapy to reduce their headache pain. Exercise, a natural stress reducer, has also been successful in helping to remedy the common headache.