A Headache Can Have Many Causes

This article about causes of headache is appealing for those interested about this topic is written by Neil Day

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The biggest problem with treating a headache is the simple fact they are not all the same. With such varieties as tension, sinus, migraine and cluster, finding the right way to go about getting rid of a headache when one strikes is important. If the type isn’t known, it’s very likely finding the right treatment will be difficult, especially at home.

To help distinguish the different forms headache can present with, we’ve put together a little primer. Let’s look at the basic types of headaches and their main symptoms beyond pain in the head.

Tension: A tension headache can come and go or last almost relentlessly for days on end. This type of head pain involves an achy feeling and tightness in the forehead or at the sides and back of the head. Many report feeling like a band is being tightened around their head during one of these. Other symptoms include sleep problems, fatigue, appetite loss and tender muscles.

Migraine: This type of headache can feel like a train wreck in the making. Its symptoms can last for a few hours or extend for a few days. The main symptoms are moderate to severe throbbing pain, pain that’s worse on one side and even increased pain with movement. A migraine is also associated with nausea or vomiting, severe light and sound sensitivity, dizziness, mood changes, tunnel vision and more. Many migraine sufferers find themselves at a loss to perform normal activities during attacks.

Sinus: A headache of this nature involves pain around the eyes and brow generally. When a sinus headache hits, it might also feel like your teeth are in peril, as the sinus cavities that are actually causing the pain can give off that false sensation. Other symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, fatigue, irritability and more.

Cluster: This kind of headache is somewhat rare and is coined by sudden, short attacks of severe pain around an eye. The cluster description comes from the fact these headaches tend to strike in groups. They can be associated with severe pain, nausea, fatigue and weakness on one side, among other symptoms.

The treatment for different forms of headache varies, so it is important to understand what kind a person is suffering from before grabbing a bottle of aspirin and expecting miracles. The truth is the common headache is a little more complicated than one might think.