What we refer to as headaches may occur very frequently in various areas of the head like for example behind the head, in the upper neck or ears. In addition, headaches are usually not taken as a disease, but rather a symptom of another disease. Causes for headaches are many and these causes could vary from one person to the other. Moreover, as in certain cases the treatment is quite tough, it is important to correctly diagnose the cause of headache.
Before any treatment, the headache should be first categorized. There are there are numerous ways to categorize headaches although the most well known method was introduced by the International Headache Society. There are three main types of headaches according to this categorization and each specific type tends to have a separate cause.
Primary cause of headaches are one of the major kinds of headaches and could be further classified as tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. In tension headaches, the major cause of headache is physical or mental stress. It is said that almost 90% of all adults would experience tension headaches during their lives. Compared to men women appear to be more prone to experience tension headaches. Migraine headaches are also a frequent kind of headache with nearly 12% of the US population (around 28 million people) experiences this form of headache. Although both of these headaches are very common, cluster headaches are rather rare with affecting only 0.1% of the population. The precise reason of headache in both migraine related and cluster headaches are not presently known. None of those mentioned above however are fatal.
Although the cause of headache in primary headaches might not be life threatening, secondary headaches might indicate a far more dangerous condition. Due to conditions like meningitis, brain tumors, strokes and encephalitis secondary headaches could come about. Therefore, it is imperative that you seek medical attention when your headaches are accompanied with symptoms such as seizures, continuing nausea and vomiting, and vision, speech and behavior changes. Another serious type of a headache is referred to as cranial neuralgia where swollen nerves in the head and neck tends to the reason for the headache. In addition to this, facial pains and other different headaches are also included.
It should be remembered that although many headaches may be temporary relieved by painkilling drugs such as paracetamol and asprin, it is vital to seek medical attention if the headache persists heavily. Additionally, the painkilling drugs including paracetamol should be used in the recommended doses as an overdose may result in negative effects such as heavy liver damage which would at times prove to be life threatening.
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