Although medical science cannot pinpoint the exact cause of headaches in a patient, some of the most common causes can typically be identified in the majority of cases. In order to properly diagnosis a headache, physician will usually categorize headaches in one of the following types. A primary headache is something almost all people are familiar with. Primary headaches are what the majority of headaches can be diagnosed as, and are almost never life threatening. Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead or bridge of the nose. Cluster headaches are a far more serious form of headache, that although not life threatening, can bring about serious pain. When a cluster headache occurs, it can be accompanied by severe pain that focuses behind the eyes, also water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches.
Tension headaches are caused by muscle contraction which causes mild to moderate pain and come and go over a prolonged period of time. Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache. The muscles that surround the skull sometimes contract, putting too much pressure on the head. Although the reasons for skull muscle contraction are difficult to ascertain, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress. Migraines occur in certain areas of the brain, but the exact causes of migraines are unknown, however, they are related to blood vessel contractions and other changes in the brain. Migraines are associated with symptoms such as light sensitivity; noise or odors; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain.
Migraine pain is moderate to severe, often described as pounding, throbbing pain. They can last from 4 hours to 3 days and usually occur 1 to 4 times per month. Chronic progressive headaches: or sometime known as: inflammatory headaches, can get worse and happen more often over time. These are the among the least common type of headache, accounting for less than 5% of all headaches in adults. Women experiencing changes in their hormone levels due to menopause, pregnancy or menstruation cycles, can get, ’Hormone headaches’. Also, chemically induced hormone changes, such as with birth control pills, also trigger headaches in some women.
Secondary headaches occur as a symptom of a more serious problem. Secondary headaches are those that are due to an underlying structural problem in the head or neck and there are numerous causes of this type of headache ranging from bleeding in the brain to a tumor. The patient history and physical examination provide the best means for determining the cause of secondary headaches, in addition to lab and radiology tests when deemed necessary. Secondary headaches can be quite painful, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensory phenomenon. If you suffer from a headache, you should seek medical care for new onset headaches, fever, stiff neck, change in behavior, vomiting, weakness or change in sensation.
Tags: headaches, migraine headache, Migraines, primary headaches, sinus headaches