| Types of Headaches |
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TENSION-TYPE HEADACHES This type of headaches is described as pressing or tightening in quality, of mild or moderate intensity, bilateral in location, without associated nausea, photophobia or phonophobia. It is not made worse by routine physical activity as may be the case with migraine headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and have many precipitating factors. Removal of identifiable causes and precipitating factors is the ideal way to treat this type of headache. Although the most common precipitating factor - stress - is often difficult to alleviate, reducing the physical effects of stress can be achieved through both non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods MIGRAINE HEADACHES Article to come. SINUS HEADACHES Article to come. REBOUND HEADACHES These headaches usually occur only in patients with chronic tension headaches or migraines. When painkillers (even just 1000 mg of aspirin or acetaminophen) are taken daily, the drug loses effectiveness and the headaches can become more frequent. Almost any painkiller can cause headaches when overused, but medications containing caffeine are most likely to cause a rebound headache, even over-the-counter products such as Excedrin, Excedrin-Migraine or Anacin. Rebound headaches are also frequently caused by dietary caffeine. As little as 2 cups of coffee per day can cause rebound headaches in a susceptible individual. CERVICOGENIC HEADACHES Elderly patients Cervicogenic headaches are very common in elderly patients due to arthritic changes in the cervical spine. Pain described as radiating from the neck or occipital in location suggests this diagnosis. Pain originating in this are can sometimes, however, be felt in the front of the head. Loss of sensation over the occipital area, often on one side can accompany occipital neuralgia. Neck muscles are tender, frequently in spasm, and their movement can aggravate the pain. POST-TRAUMATIC HEADACHES In many patients post-traumatic headaches will subside in a few weeks or months without any treatment. Chronic post-traumatic headaches, however, may be very resistant to treatment. CLUSTER HEADACHE Cluster headaches are the most intense headaches of all, leading some patients to thoughts of suicide. Symptoms Headaches occur in clusters, frequently during the same season each year, with each episode lasting for several weeks or months. The pain often wakes the patient from sleep - sometimes at the same time - every night and usually lasts for 30 to 90 minutes. Such regular occurrence, however, is not always present. The pain is described as retro-orbital, unilateral and is associated with agitation, nasal congestion, conjunctival injection and lacrimation. HEADACHE TRIGGERS (Hormonal, Dietary and Environmental): Article to come |
