Headache (Mild) Topic Guide

There are five main types of headaches including migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and mixed headaches. Knowing what kind of headache you have is the first step in identifying how to get rid of a headache. There are several treatments for headaches depending on the type of headache you have and your headache triggers. The worst headache of your life could signal a medical emergency and you should seek immediate evaluation.

Migraine headaches are intense, recurring headaches that are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. Alternative therapies that have proven successful for some include: spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and homeopathy. It is important to do research on the practitioner and make sure alternative therapies don't do harm.

Cluster headaches are different that typical headaches or migraines in that they begin intensely and last from 5 minutes to an hour. They may come several times during the day, punctuated by painless periods. The cause is unclear, but competing theories trace this type of headache to either a malfunctioning vascular system in the brain, or a malfunctioning neurological symptom in the brain. A variety of drugs is used to treat cluster headaches.

Migraine is one of over 150 types of headaches. Other common types of headaches include tension, cluster, sinus, and hormonal. Pain is the most common symptom of all headaches, and the severity of the pain depends upon the type of headache. Migraine pain is severe, pulsating, and is located only on one side of the head. Other symptoms and signs of a migraine headache are eye pain, sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine is more common in women, and may increase in frequency and severity during menopause.Signs and symptoms of other common types of headaches. Tension headaches: The pain of a tension headache starts at the back of the head and upper neck. The pain is described as a band-like tightness or pressure on both sides of the head that may spread over the entire head. The pain and pressure is felt over the eyebrows, is sporadic, and usually varies in intensity. Tension headaches are not disabling. Cluster headaches come in groups or clusters that are separated by pain free periods of months to years. The episodes of pain last from 30 to 90 minutes, occur around the same time of day, and the pain is excruciating around or behind one eye. Men have cluster headaches more often than women. Sinus headaches are caused by bacteria or viral infection of the sinuses. The infection causes inflammation of the sinuses, which results in pain. The pain and pressure from a sinus headache is felt around the area of the sinuses. Other symptoms are facial tenderness and swelling, nasal congestion, stuffy nose, earache, and jaw pain. Sinus headaches usually are caused by sinusitis or a sinus infection. Hormonal headaches are caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body and can be caused by hormonal birth control, menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. The pain and symptoms depend upon the cause of the headache. There is no specific test to diagnose migraines. Treatment for a migraine and other types of headaches depend upon the type.REFERENCES: Blanda, M, MD. "Cluster Headache." Medscape. Updated: Apr 26, 2017. Brook I, MD. "Acute Sinuitis." Medscape. Updated: Jan 05, 2017. Chawala JC, MD. "Migraine Headache." Medscape. Updated: May 10, 2017.

Two general types of headaches exist: primary (like migraines and cluster headaches) and secondary (headaches caused by a structural problem, trauma, or infection) Triggers include stress, lack of sleep, not enough food or fluids, and many other causes. A variety of medications all working through a variety of different mechanisms are used to treat migraines.

Migraine headaches are one of the most common problems seen by doctors, Urgent Care Centers, and Emergency Departments. While the exact cause of this type of headache is not clearly understood, researchers and doctors believe they are due to changes in the brain and surrounding blood vessels.Triggers for migraine headache are certain foods (chocolate, cheese, alcohol, msg, etc.), stress, birth control pills, and smoking.Signs and symptoms of a migraine include a variety of warning signs (referred to as “prodome”), for example, feeling "high," irritable, or depressed, migraine aura, headache pain, and migraine pain that resolves. Other migraine symptoms, for example, problems eating, concentrating, and fatigue may linger after the pain is gone.

Migraine is a headache condition that comes back again and again. Ten percent of children get migraines, and an even higher percentage of teenagers have them. Migraines can be managed with a number of different varieties of medications.

Sinus headache is caused by inflammation or infection of the sinuses. Inflammation may be caused by sinus infection, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, or irritation. Treatment may be with OTC pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Children's Advil, and many others) or aspirin, decongestant medications. If sinus infection is present antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

Headaches are among the most common complaints worldwide. Though headaches are common symptoms of many diseases, tension-type headaches have specific characteristics, such as a tightening feeling on both sides of the head; sensitivity to light or sound; and other hallmarks. Treatment typically includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).

My sister had persistent headaches she thought were migraines. She finally got a CT scan because the medication wasn’t effective, and doctors found she had a type of brain cancer and it was already grade III. What are some warning signs of brain cancer? How do you know you have brain cancer?

Pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck. Headache, like chest pain or backache, has many causes. There are different types of headaches.

Chronic headaches can be caused by overuse of alcohol, some OTC medications, caffeine, or dehydration. Less easy to fix are morning headaches caused by migraine disorders or sleep apnea, but they are still treatable.

The worst headache of your life may be a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms such as a headache with fever and a stiff neck, a headache that starts with a thunderclap, a headache following a head injury, a headache with loss of vision or numbness of the arms or legs, or a headache with a fever (not caused by the flu) are emergent medical conditions. Treatment of the worst headache of your life depends on the cause of the headache.