Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints; most people experience them at some point in their life. They can affect anyone regardless of age, race, and gender.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly half of all adults worldwide will experience a headache in any given year.
A headache can be a sign of stress or emotional distress, or it can be the result of a medical condition, such as a migraine or high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression. It can lead to other problems. People with chronic migraines, for example, may find it difficult to attend work or school regularly.
Causes
A headache can occur anywhere in the head, on both sides of the head, or in one place.
There are different ways to define headaches.
The International Headache Society (IHS) classifies headaches as primary, when they are not caused by another condition, or secondary, when there is an additional underlying cause.
primary headaches
Primary headaches are independent conditions caused directly by hyperactivity or problems with the structures of the head that are sensitive to pain.
This includes the blood vessels, muscles, and nerves of the head and neck. They can also result from changes in chemical activity in the brain.
Common primary headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.
secondary headaches
Secondary headaches are symptoms that occur when another condition stimulates the pain-sensitive nerves in the head. In other words, the headache symptoms can be attributed to another cause.
A wide range of different factors can cause secondary headaches.
These include:
alcohol induced hangover
Brain tumor
blood clots
bleeding in or around the brain
“brain freeze” or ice cream headaches
carbon monoxide poisoning
concussion
dehydration
glaucoma
grind your teeth at night
influenza
overuse of pain medication, known as rebound headaches
panic attacks
career
Because headaches can be a symptom of a serious condition, it’s important to see a doctor if they become more severe, regular, or persistent.
For example, if a headache is more painful and disturbing than previous headaches, worsens or does not improve with medication, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as confusion, fever, sensory changes, and neck stiffness, you should contact a doctor immediately. .
Types
There are different types of headache.
tension headaches
Tension headaches are the most common form of primary headache. Such headaches normally start slowly and gradually in the middle of the day.
The person may feel:
as if they had a tight band around their heads
a constant dull ache on both sides
bread spread towards or from the neck
Tension-type headaches can be episodic or chronic. Episodic attacks usually last a few hours but can last for several days. Chronic headaches occur on 15 or more days per month for a period of at least 3 months.
migraines
A migraine headache can cause a throbbing, throbbing pain usually only on one side of the head. The pain may be accompanied by:
blurry vision
dizziness
nauseating
sensory disturbances known as auras
Migraine is the second most common form of primary headache and can have a significant impact on a person’s life. According to the WHO, migraine is the sixth leading cause of days lost due to disability worldwide. A migraine can last from a few hours to 2-3 days.
rebound headaches
Rebound or medication overuse headaches stem from the overuse of medications to treat headache symptoms. They are the most common cause of secondary headaches. They usually start early in the day and persist throughout the day. They may improve with pain relievers, but worsen when their effects wear off.
Along with the headache itself, rebound headaches can cause:
Neck Pain
restlessness
a feeling of nasal congestion
reduced sleep quality
Rebound headaches can cause a variety of symptoms, and the pain may be different from day to day.
cluster headaches
Cluster headaches typically last between 15 minutes and 3 hours, suddenly occurring once a day up to eight times a day over a period of weeks to months. Between groups, there may be no headache symptoms, and this headache-free period can last from months to years.
The pain caused by cluster headaches is:
Unilateral
severe
often described as sharp or burning
typically located in or around one eye
The affected area may become red and swollen, the eyelid may droop, and the nasal passage on the affected side may become clogged and runny.
Headaches in thunder
These are sudden, severe headaches that are often described as “the worst headache of my life.” They reach their maximum intensity in less than a minute and last more than 5 minutes.
A thunderclap headache is often secondary to life-threatening conditions such as intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis, ruptured or unruptured aneurysms, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RVS), meningitis, and pituitary apoplexy.
People experiencing these sudden, severe headaches should seek medical evaluation immediately.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat headaches are to rest and take pain relievers.
Generic pain relief medications are available over-the-counter (OTC), or doctors may prescribe preventative medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin receptor agonists, anti-epileptic drugs, and beta-blockers.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice because overuse of pain-relieving medications can lead to rebound headaches. Treatment of rebound headaches involves reducing or stopping pain-relieving medications. In extreme cases, a short hospital stay may be necessary to manage withdrawal safely and effectively.
There are several alternative forms of treatment for headaches, but it is important to consult a doctor before making any major changes or starting any alternative form of treatment.
Alternative approaches include:
acupuncture
cognitive behavior therapy
herbal and nutritional health products
hypnosis
meditation
Research has not provided evidence to confirm that all of these methods work.
Sometimes a headache can be the result of a deficiency in a particular nutrient or nutrients, especially magnesium and certain B vitamins. Nutrient deficiencies can be due to a poor-quality diet, underlying malabsorption problems, or other medical conditions.
alternative treatments
Home remedies
Several steps can be taken to reduce the risk of headaches and relieve pain if they do occur:
Apply a warm compress or ice pack to your head or neck, but avoid extreme temperatures.
Avoid stressors whenever possible and develop healthy coping strategies for unavoidable stress.
Eat regular meals, taking care to keep your blood sugar level stable.
A hot shower can help, although in a rare condition, exposure to hot water can lead to headaches. Exercising regularly and getting enough rest and sleep regularly contribute to general health and stress reduction.
Symptoms
Headaches may radiate through the head from a central point or have a vise-like quality. They can be throbbing, throbbing or dull, appear gradually or suddenly. They can last from less than an hour to several days.
The symptoms of a headache depend to some extent on the type of headache it is.
Tension headache: There may be mild to moderate general pain that may feel like a band around the head. They tend to affect both sides of the head.
Migraine headache: There is often a severe throbbing pain in one part of the head, often in the front or on the side. There may be nausea and vomiting, and the person may feel especially sensitive to light or noise.
Cluster headaches: These can cause severe pain, often around one eye. They usually occur at a particular time of year, possibly over a 1-2 month period.
Diagnosis
A doctor will usually be able to diagnose a particular type of headache through a description of the condition, the type of pain, and the timing and pattern of the attacks. If the nature of the headache appears to be complex, tests may be done to eliminate more serious causes.
Other tests could include:
blood test
X-rays
brain scans, such as CT and MRI
The WHO notes that headaches are often not taken seriously because they are sporadic, most headaches do not lead to death, and they are not contagious.
They ask that more resources be allocated to the treatment of headaches, due to the enormous health burden they represent.
