A headache is a headache – or is it? There are actually five main types of headaches - each with its own unique characteristics. Headaches can be a symptom of a more serious brain problem or an illness, so it’s important to find out what type of headache you have - and not try to self diagnose. Here are the five most common headache types and the symptoms they cause.
Different Types of Headaches and Symptoms: Migraines
Migraines cause a throbbing pain that’s usually one-sided and may be associated with vomiting, nausea, and light sensitivity. Some people have neurological symptoms with their migraine headaches such as numbness, tingling, seeing colors and flashes of light, or weakness on one side of the body. In some cases, a migraine can even mimic a stroke.
Migraines last several hours to several days at a time and are more common in women and in certain families. They’re one of the most common headaches types people experience.
Headache Type: Tension Headache
This garden-variety headache is another common type of head pain that may be triggered by stress. Stress frequently brings one on, because it causes muscles in the neck and back of the head to tighten up.
Tension headaches cause a dull, boring ache that makes the head feel like it's being squeezed by a vise. This type of headache typically involves both sides of the head and lasts anywhere from an hour to days. These unpleasant headaches can be brought on by eyestrain from too much computer work, stress, and poor posture.
Different Types of Headaches and Symptoms: The Less Common Cluster Headache
This type of headache causes a sharp, burning pain one side of the head and, sometimes, one-sided eye pain. The biochemical changes that occur with a cluster headache can also cause symptoms such as facial flushing and nasal discharge. Fortunately, these headaches usually only last minutes to hours.
A Type of Headache That Causes Facial Pain: Sinus Headaches
This type of headache causes not only head pain, but also facial pressure, which is usually boring and constant. It can mimic a tension headache, but is usually distinguished from it by the presence of nasal discharge, stuffiness, and post-nasal drainage. Sinus headaches occur when the sinuses - located in different areas behind the face - become inflamed due to infection or allergy.
An Underappreciated Type of Headache: Rebound Headaches
Rebound headaches are a type of headache brought on by using too much pain medication to treat headache pain. This type of headache is more common than most people think - due to the tendency of people to take a pill at the first sign of head pain.
Rebound headaches are usually a constant, dull ache that persists throughout the day and may cause difficulty sleeping and anxiety. People who use headache medications more than twice a week are a risk for rebound headaches.
Different Types of Headaches and Symptoms: The Bottom Line?
Before treating a headache, make sure you know what type you have. Taking medications if you have a rebound headache will only make the problem worse. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis before self-medicating.
References:
Health Magazine. May 2009. pages 152-153.
Merck Manual. Eighteenth Edition. 2006.
Kristie Leong - I'm a family physician interested in all aspects of traditional and alternative medicine, especially the use of nutrition to prevent ...
