Headaches: What You Should Know

Nearly everyone has had a headache before. Some headaches consist of a minor nagging pain behind your eyes that is quickly taken care of with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Others create a band of pain that sends you to a darkened room for relief. Whether it’s a mild annoyance or a recurring migraine attack, a headache is never a welcome addition to your day.

If you are experiencing severe head pain, call 9-1-1 immediately.

 

Types of Headaches

There is no such thing as a “standard” headache. They range in intensity, frequency and cause. Here’s a look at the main types of headaches.

 

Migraine Headaches
Migraines cause intense, pounding pain that may last for hours or even days. Migraine pain often begins around your eyes, on your forehead or the side of your head. Bright lights and movement can worsen the pain, causing nausea, vomiting or blurred vision.

 

Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are typically caused by stress. They often begin in the middle of the day with a constant, dull pain that feels like an ever-tightening band around your head. Tension headaches may also cause tightness and pressure in your jaw and neck.

 

Sinus Headaches
Sinus pressure causes sinus headaches. Your sinuses are air-filled spaces located behind your nose, forehead and cheekbones. When allergies or infections irritate those spaces, they increase mucus production, which leads to increased pressure and pain.

 

Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are fairly rare. They tend to start suddenly and occur one or more times a day for several days. Each headache lasts 45 to 90 minutes, causing severe pain behind or around your eyes.

 

Rebound Headaches
Rebound headaches are usually associated with medication problems or substance abuse issues. They are sometimes called medication-overuse headaches. Pain from rebound headaches varies and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability and depression.

 

Headache Triggers

The cause of headaches varies and you may not always know what leads to your pain. Many factors can cause headaches, including:

• Anxiety
• Certain beverages and foods
• Depression
• Hormonal changes or imbalance
• Poor posture or habits like jaw clenching or grinding your teeth
• Sinus and allergy issues
• Sleep issues

 
Experts often suggest keeping a headache diary to record the circumstances surrounding your headaches to determine if a pattern exists. This information helps your physician identify the type of headaches you’re having and gain beneficial insights about your care. 

 

Emergency Warning Signs 

Although they can cause intense pain in some cases, most headaches are not medical emergencies. Use these tips from the National Headache Foundation to help determine if your head pain requires professional medical attention.

Seek emergency care or call 911 if:

• You become confused or disoriented.
• You begin to vomit uncontrollably.
• You cannot speak clearly or begin slurring your words.
• You experience weakness or paralysis on one side of your body.
• You have your worst headache ever.
• You lose consciousness.
• You lose your vision or it becomes blurry.
• Your headache causes abnormal or unusual symptoms that concern you.
• Your pain lasts longer than 72 hours.

 

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