4 Types of Headaches and Discover How to Treat Them
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It’s not a secret that most people deal with occasional headaches. The good news is there are many treatments available for them, and they don’t have to be unbearable or last forever. Which type of headache do you experience? Do you know what the best treatment option for it might be? If not, then read on! In this blog post we’re going to talk about 4 types of headaches: tension, cluster, sinus, and migraine.
If you suffer from frequent headaches, you know how they are more than just painful. They will stop you in your tracks and make it hard to take care of all the things we do in a day. There are actually over 150 different headaches. That fact surprised me. I did not know! I’ve suffered from headaches since I was a teenager. Reading over the symptoms of the 4 types of headaches, I actually suffer from a few different types, I just always assumed they were a migraine.
Table of Contents
The 4 types of headaches:
- Tension-type headaches
- A migraine
- Cluster headaches
- Sinus headaches
Each type of headache has different symptoms (although sometimes they are similar) and causes. It is important to know what type of headache you are experiencing. Not only does this allow you to treat it quickly for relief, but it also allows you to know when it’s time to see your doctor about a headache.
Symptoms of the 4 types of headaches.
- Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They cause mild-to-moderate pain and come and go over time and usually have no other symptoms.
2. They often describe migraine headaches as pounding, throbbing pain. They can last from 4 hours to 3 days and usually happen one to four times per month. Along with the pain, people have other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, noise, or smells; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and upset stomach or belly pain.
3. Cluster headaches are intense and feel like a burning or piercing pain behind or around one eye, either throbbing or constant. It’s the least common but the most severe type of headache. The pain can be so bad that most people with cluster headaches can’t sit still and will often pace during an attack.
On the side of the pain, the eyelid droops, the eye reddens, the pupil gets smaller or the eye tears. The nostril on that side runs or stuff.
They’re called “cluster headaches” because they happen in groups. You might get them one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may last 2 weeks to 3 months. Each headache attack lasts 15 mins to 3 hours and often wakens the patient from sleep.
The headaches may disappear completely (go into “remission”) for months or years, only to come back again. Cluster headaches affect men 3-4 times more often than women.
I used to think I experienced cluster headaches because I get headaches on only one side of my head. The pain is pounding and reaches up to my eye. Turns out, that is NOT what a cluster headache is.
4. Sinus headaches are a deep and constant pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of your nose. The pain usually comes along with other sinus symptoms, such as a runny nose, a feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and swelling in your face.
It’s common to have this type of headache when you are suffering from allergies or a cold. A true sinus headache is from a sinus infection so the nasal discharge is yellow or green, unlike the clear discharge in a cluster or a migraine.
Different factors like an illness, stress or your environment can cause headaches. I know those are triggers for my headaches, especially stress. Stress seems to be my biggest trigger for headaches, which makes sense since I suffer from tension headaches the most.
When one hits, I try to lie down and sleep so that my body relaxes and so I don’t think about the stress that caused a headache.
A friend of mine suffers from migraines. This is her story:
“When I hit puberty, I realized I had inherited the family migraine curse and would have them on my journey through life. When they run in the family, there are a few coping skills that are passed down to the next generation, but technology and medical advances make things gradually better too.
No cold cuts, red wine, or junk food – nitrates and sulfates are not a friend. Stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, and try to keep stress down – ha!
Almost 40 years now, I have known that I am allergic to most non-narcotic treatments and will lose at least 48 hours when one hits – as fast as flipping on a light switch.
I have tried everything from acupuncture to massage therapy, and there just is not a “miracle cure”.
It means I have to keep organized, have back up meals in the fridge as the husband or kids seem helpless when you are off duty, and rely on giving myself a little grace to just let time pass until I feel better. That is the big one – allowing yourself to have the time to heal and recharge. It is OK to ask for help – to let someone else step up and take over.
While I lucked into a service dog that can predict my migraine attacks, I now have a grace period before they happen to get things ready for my time off. That is part of why I love blogging so much, I get to work with my schedule as I share tips and tricks for everything from fast and easy meals to fixing the family budget.
To see more of what Dannelle has been up to visit www.Operation40K.com
What about headaches caused by injuries?
The 4 types of headaches mentioned in this post are caused by triggers such as stress, illness, and environmental factors. They don’t include headaches caused by injuries, which may be a form of concussion.
If you experience a headache as a result of an injury you should see a doctor immediately. Tests may need to be carried out to check that you haven’t got any serious damage. A doctor will then be able to advise you on the best way to treat your concussion. There are natural treatments for concussions that could be worth looking into. Such a headache should eventually fade away on its own providing that the injury is mild.
Exploring the Connection: Can Hearing Issues Trigger Headaches?
Noise can indeed trigger headaches – this phenomenon is known as noise-induced headaches. These headaches may be brought on by prolonged exposure to loud music, construction noise, or sudden, sharp sounds such as those heard at an airport. It remains unknown precisely why this occurs; however, it is believed that loud sounds may induce physiological tension and stress and lead to headaches. Protecting hearing should always be top of mind; use earplugs when in noisy environments and keep volume to an acceptable level when using headphones. If frequent headaches due to noise exposure arise, seeking advice from healthcare professionals would also be highly advised. Physicians can offer advice and treatments, such as over-the-counter painkillers, relaxation techniques, and changes in lifestyle habits, which could prove effective. Bluetooth connects your hearing aids and electronic devices such as smartphones can help to reduce exposure to loud noises, thus protecting our hearing to avoid headaches or health problems in general. So keeping volume levels moderate when wearing headphones is vitally important for our overall well-being.
What is the best natural way to get rid of a headache?
Studies have shown more workdays are lost because of headaches than any other reason. While taking medication can cure the headache, there are steps we can take to ease the pain naturally and even prevent it.
The first step in treating a headache is to figure out why it is there. Many things can cause headaches, such as poor sleep, stress, allergies, eye strain, diet, and illness.
Here are some excellent strategies you can use to treat your headaches without drugs:
- Exercise.
Exercise is the number one way to reduce stress and ease stress headaches. When you feel a headache coming on, get up out of your chair and move. Even if it is just a five-minute walk, it is better than nothing.
2. Use essential oils and herbs.
Many people find relief from headaches by massaging a few drops of peppermint, lavender or chamomile essential oil into the temples or the back of the neck. Ensure you are using a quality essential oil.
3. Reflexology.
Your toes and the areas right below them correspond to the head, sinuses, and ears. Massaging these areas gently can significantly improve a headache. Something as simple as taking off your shoes and rubbing your feet can be the natural cure you are seeking.
4. Use hot and cold.
Place a cold compress on the back of the neck. You can use ice or a damp cloth that has been in the freezer for a few minutes. If your headache does not respond to cold, try a warm cloth instead.
5. Eat properly.
Many headaches are diet related. Paying attention to what you eat – or what you do not eat – may give you a clue why you are getting headaches. Headaches can be your body’s way of telling you it is not getting the nutrients it needs to function properly.
A variety of different factors can cause headaches. From stress to sinus infections, or even hunger for not eating enough protein and fats for energy. It is important that you treat your headache in the right way as it can make all the difference between feeling better quickly or suffering with pain for days on end. That’s why we’ve created this blog post about 4 types of headaches and how they are treated! We hope you find relief soon and avoid any more unnecessary agony while waiting out these common symptoms.
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