Many of us are familiar with the throbbing, painful, and distracting pain of a headache. Although, not many of us know that there are various kinds of headaches. Headaches can be characterized as pain “in any region of the head,” the reason, duration, and severity of this pain might vary depending on the type of headache. In rare situations, a headache may require immediate medical assistance. These are the various types of headaches and suitable treatment tips.
Migraines
One of the most common types of headaches is migraines. A severe pulsing from deep within your skull is referred to as a migraine. This discomfort can linger for several days. Migraines are throbbing headaches that are frequently one-sided. Migraine sufferers are often light and sound-sensitive. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms.
Sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, certain foods, hormone fluctuations, and chemical exposure are typical migraine triggers. An over-the-counter pain treatment, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, might be all you need to relieve your occasional symptoms. However, you should also know the difference between paracetamol and ibuprofen, as paracetamol might be a less effective treatment for this kind of severe headache.
If over-the-counter pain medicines don’t relieve your migraine pain, your doctor may prescribe triptans. Triptans are medications that reduce inflammation and alter blood flow in the brain.
Tension Headache Are One of the Common Types of Headache
Tension headaches are another common type of headache. A dull, painful sensation may be felt all over your head if you have a tension headache. And there is generally no throbbing. Tenderness or sensitivity in the muscles of the neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulders is also possible. Tension headaches can affect anyone, and they’re frequently brought on by stress. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen might be sufficient. Although, you can also apply pressure to pressure spots on the head, neck, and sinus to relieve tension headaches.
Cluster Headache
Another type of headache is cluster headache. Cluster headaches cause excruciating burning and piercing pain. At a time, they appear around or behind one eye or on one side of the face. On the side of the head that is impacted by the headache, edema, redness, flushing, and sweating can occur. On the same side cluster headaches, nasal congestion and eye tears are common.
Each headache can last anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours. During a cluster, most patients get one to four headaches per day, usually at the same time each day. After one headache subsides, another will appear soon after. Doctors don’t know what causes cluster headaches, but they know how to treat them effectively. To relieve discomfort, your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy, sumatriptan, or a topical anesthetic.
Allergy Or Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches are another of the most common types of headaches. An allergic reaction might cause headaches in certain people. The pain from these headaches is usually concentrated in the area around your sinuses and at the front of your head. Sinus headaches are also a sign of a sinus infection. These headaches are sometimes misdiagnosed as migraine headaches.
When your nasal canals become infected, bloated, and inflamed, you have a sinus infection. Sinusitis is caused by a virus and can last for weeks or months after other upper respiratory symptoms have subsided. A sinus infection and sinus headache can be brought on by allergens, bacteria, or, in rare situations, fungus.
Short-term relief from sinus infection symptoms and headaches can be achieved using a nasal decongestant spray such as oxymetazoline. However, you should only utilize it for three days at a time.
Hypertension Headaches
Hypertension headaches are a very serious type of headache. High blood pressure can produce these types of headaches, which should be treated as an emergency. When your blood pressure rises to concerningly high levels, these headaches occur. A hypertension headache usually affects both sides of your head and is exacerbated by physical exertion. It has a pulsing quality to it. Changes in eyesight, numbness or tingling, nosebleeds, chest pain, or shortness of breath are all possible symptoms. This type of headache requires medical attention.
Home Remedies
For many types of headaches, there are home remedies. Drink plenty of water; dehydration might cause headaches. Also, take some magnesium supplements since prolonged deficiency in magnesium can cause trouble with long-term health and increase the likelihood of chronic diseases.
Limit your alcohol intake, get enough sleep, and stay away from histamine-rich foods, as well. You can also take a B-complex vitamin and use a cold compress towel or ice pack to relieve pain.
Reflexology is also a great natural technique to relieve head pains. Begin by pinching this area firmly, using the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand for 10 seconds. Then, for 10 seconds each, create little circles with your thumb in one way and then the other on this spot.
There are various types of headaches. While you can use ibuprofen and methods of easing the pain to seek relief, you should always consult your family doctor if your headaches persist with home treatments and over-the-counter pain relievers.