Most people suffer from chronic headaches all their life but don’t realise that not all headaches are the same. In fact, according to the Journal of Head and Face Pain over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from migraines, but about 60% of them never get diagnosed.
There are three major types of headaches: Tension headaches, migraine and cluster headaches. Out of these the tension type of headache is the most common. It is of utmost importance that you diagnose your headache accurately so that you can employ effective management and treatment strategies to cure your headaches fast!
Tension Headaches
What Does a Tension Headache Feel Like?
If you have a tension headache you might feel a dull aching pain that feels like tightness around your head, particularly in the forehead or the back of your head. This type of headache is usually not severe and is not associated with nausea or vomiting.
Causes of Tension Headache
The most common causes of a tension headache are:
- Emotional strain or stress
- Poor posture, or sitting at computer for too long
- Skipping meals can often trigger hunger headaches that can feel like a tension headache
- Irregular sleeping habits
All of these things can cause the muscles around your head to become tight and trigger a tension headache.
Migraine
How to Know If Your Headache Is a Migraine Attack?
If you feel a throbbing or pulsating pain on one side of your head, it’s likely a migraine. You might notice yourself being sensitive to light, sounds, or smells, which trigger the headache. This headache is often associated with nausea and vomiting and is severe in intensity. The distinguishing feature of a migraine, however, is that it is often preceded by prodromal sensations or aura. These can include visual disturbances like flashing lights or zigzag lines, which may begin 30-60 minutes before.
What Causes a Migraine?
When migraine patients are examined, these factors are often found to be common:
- Genetics- runs in families in 65%-90% of people
- Certain foods or drinks like caffeinated drinks, chocolate or alcohol can cause postprandial headaches
- Bright lights or strong smells
- Stress
- All the different headaches can be triggered by lack of sleep
Cluster Headache
How to Recognise The Pain Of a Cluster Headache
Cluster headache is often classified as the most painful type of headache. This starts as a sudden, severe pain behind one eye which is often red and watery or even swollen. Your nose might feel stuffy or runny. These headaches are short-lived but extremely intense.
Why Do Cluster Headaches Happen?
- Sinusitis-sinuses are the small hollow spaces in your skull that might get infected and trigger a cluster headache.
- Vision problems can cause your eye muscles to work harder to focus, which can strain them
- Smoking
- Alcohol intake
Treatment And Strategies To Get Rid of Your Headache
Now that you know what type of headache you have and what’s triggering it, let’s dive into the treatment options we have to cure that debilitating headache fast:
How to Treat A Tension Headache
To treat a tension headache you can employ the following tips:
- OTC- medications: like ibuprofen, paracetamol
- Massage or Physical Therapy: To relieve tension in the sore muscles of the head and neck
- Reducing stress: Techniques like yoga, meditation and removing emotional triggers go a long way
How Can You Get Rid Of A Migraine
People who have a history of migraine complain about it seriously affecting their quality of life, so it is important to manage its symptoms using the following tips:
- Get a Prescription of drugs like ergotamine, triptans
- Preventative Medications: like beta blockers etc can treat the symptoms that can trigger a migraine.
- Home Remedies: like migraine caps, electrolyte water, or special teas like chamomile or peppermint to relieve headaches.
Best Treatment Tips For a Cluster Headache
- Oxygen Therapy: Inhaling 100% pure oxygen
- Quick Acting Medications: like triptans can relieve a cluster headache quickly
- Avoid smoking or alcohol
🚨Note: Cluster headaches need prompt treatment because of how severe they are. Consult a doctor if you feel like you’re having one.
Prevention Tips For All Types Of Headaches
- Reduce stress through mindfulness, yoga, therapy or exercise.
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit screen time
- Limit things that trigger your headaches like certain smells or loud noise
- Eat healthy balanced meals
- Keep a headache diary to record triggers, onset, duration of a headache and factors that help alleviate it. Also keep track of symptoms that might precede a headache. This will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis so that your headache can be cured effectively.
Signs it’s Time To Get Medical Help for Headaches
Usually, headaches aren’t serious or life threatening and can be caused by crying or after waking up from a nap and can be cured with over the counter medications; but some could be a sign of a serious medical condition which requires immediate attention. Here are some of the signs to look out for:
- A sudden, severe headache which feels like the “worst headache of your life”
- Frequent headaches( more than 15 times a month)
- Stiff neck or head
- Headaches following a head injury
- Headaches that worsen over time
- Sudden numbness in face, arm or neck
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Dizziness, loss of balance
- Facial drooping
Some of these symptoms may signify a stroke, so if you suspect one or have a sudden severe headache with other such neurological symptoms, you must call emergency services immediately. Early treatment can save lives.
Conclusion
Knowing the difference between tension headaches, migraine and cluster headaches is the key to choosing the right treatment plans. Understanding your symptoms is the first step in treating your headaches through medications or lifestyle modifications.
However, if you are noticing sudden, severe or frequent headaches, don’t ignore the signs and immediately consult a doctor. You never know, this timely intervention could end up saving your life!
About the Author: Jessica Erik
