Headaches and migraines are among the leading cause of debilitating conditions in the world and account for one of the most common reasons a person misses a meaningful or significant event in their life. As headaches and migraines can vary in length, intensity and causality, they can often be challenging to diagnose and very emotionally and physically draining for a person.
Headache is a word used to describe pain in a person’s neck, scalp or head. There are different types and causes of headaches. Types of headaches include: migraine, tension or cluster and they can be primary or secondary in nature. This means that the headache is the primary issue or that another underlying health condition is causing the headache.
Determining the cause of a headache as well as the proper treatment can be difficult. Headaches that are primary in nature can often be more challenging to treat and control than those that are secondary. This is because secondary headaches occur because another health condition is the cause. An example is when blood pressure or blood sugar is too high. For those with high blood pressure, think back to the last time it was high. Most likely one of the first questions a clinician asked you was: Do you have a headache? This is because someone who has high blood pressure and has a headache is known as symptomatic and the headache could be an indicator that they need to be seen by their provider or even in the emergency room.
Let’s explain the different types of headaches. Migraines are the most common type of headache that people seek medical attention for primarily because they can be extremely debilitating in nature. They are seen more frequently in women than men however more than 10% of the overall population experience them. They are severe and often recur which leads people to seek medical attention. While the exact cause isn’t known, it is believed that having certain medical conditions such as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or epilepsy as well as genetics can play a role.
Often with migraines, providers will ask people about their lifestyle and stress levels as well as eating habits and daily activities. This is because migraines are usually triggered by something and exploring a person’s lifestyle can help to identify where the trigger is. Some common triggers of migraines are: caffeine; hormone changes; flashing or bright lights; dehydration; stress; missing meals; changes in weather and noises. There is also data to show that some foods can trigger a migraine such as: alcohol, in particular aged, red wine; aged cheeses or meats and chocolate.
Tension headaches are the most common form of headache however they are typically controllable and people do not reach out to health providers for treatment. They are often seen with tensioning of muscles around the head, neck and sometimes upper shoulder area and frequently are the result of stress and anxiety. Tension headaches can also be triggered. The main triggers are: disruption in sleep pattern; eyestrain; alcohol; dental problems; stagnant head motion and either too much or too little caffeine.
Cluster headaches are the last type of primary headache to review. Like migraine and tension headaches, cluster headaches impact more women than men and the cause is unknown but frequently are familial. These headaches can occur daily or almost daily for an extended period of time however there can be large gaps of weeks or months with no headaches at all. The cause is thought to be a rapid release of particular chemicals in the body in particular near the trigeminal nerve in the face.
These headaches also have triggers which can include: heat exposure; body overexertion; processed foods; smoking or smoke inhalation; alcohol and intense lighting. They frequently begin suddenly on one side of the head and can be seen with watery eyes or swelling, runny nose and eyelid drooping. Swelling and redness on the impacted side is sometimes seen as well. Pain is frequently described as burning and sharp and peaks within in the first 10 minutes but can last for up to 2 hours. They are often known to start in the first few hours of sleep however can be seen while awake too.
Diagnosing, treating and prevention of all 3 headaches have many similarities. Diagnosis begins with a physical evaluation by a provider that can include a medical history as well as possible blood tests and/or imaging such as a CT scan. A thorough history of lifestyle, stress level, length of headaches and ways you’ve treated in the past is often completed.
Treatment and prevention of headaches can vary between the different types of headaches however with any type of headache, it is often referred to as how someone manages their headache versus treats. This is primarily because treating or curing headaches is not always feasible particularly when referring to migraines. The most effective way to manage headaches include medication; proper rest and hydration; exercise and stress reduction. Most providers that treat headaches will share that lifestyle modification is the absolute best way to manage your headache. As headaches can be caused by many different things and sometimes indicate a significant medical emergency, it is important that anyone with recurring headaches or sudden onset of an intense headache seek medical attention. For more information about headaches or migraines, please reach out to us at VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services.
