Almost everyone must have experienced a headache once in a while. There are many different types of headaches, and depending on the type, the pain origin, duration, and intensity may vary.

How do headaches feel?

Headaches are pains in your head or face that are frequently described as throbbing, continuous, severe, or heavy, dull pressure. The type, intensity, location, and frequency of headaches varies. Most headaches do not have an underlying serious cause, but certain features may indicate a more serious issue.

What is the primary cause of a headache?

The interaction of signals between your brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves causes headaches. During a headache, several processes affect specific nerves that influence muscles and blood vessels. Your brain receives pain signals from these nerves, which results in a headache.

Do headaches run in families?

Migraines, in particular, tend to run in families. Usually, if one biological parent of a child suffers from migraines, there are higher chances that the child will, too. Children whose parents have migraines are up to four times more likely to experience headaches themselves.

What are the different types of headaches and how they are treated?

Here is some more information about different types of headaches and their treatment options.

Migraine

Intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head is a common presentation of a migraine headache. A person may experience frequent nausea and vomiting along with heightened sensitivity to sound, light, and smell.

Treatment:

The course of treatment is influenced by the severity of the symptoms, how frequently they occur, and whether the patient has nausea and vomiting.

Commonly used treatment options include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
• Triptans, as recommended by your doctor
• Antiemetics, which control nausea and vomiting

If one is experiencing regular headaches with an impact on quality of life, then prophylactic or preventative medications to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks are recommended. Many interventions can also help in controlling headaches such as

• BOTOX injections
• Nerve Blocks include supraorbital, supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, auriculotemporal, and greater and lesser occipital nerves.
• Sphenopalatine ganglion block
• Trigger point injections

Tension-type headache

Most people get tension-type headaches at some point, which are continuous, dull headaches on both sides of the head often described as a tight band around the head.  There may also be other signs and symptoms, such as:

• Pressure behind the eyes
• Soreness in the face, head, neck, and shoulders
• Sensitivity to sound and light

Treatment:

The majority of the time, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines work well to stop or reduce pain. Tension headaches may be avoided with lifestyle modifications and treatments. They may consist of:

• Obtaining enough rest
• Regular exercise and stretching
• Managing stress, worry, or depression
• Getting an eye exam
• Better posture

Cluster headache

Cluster headaches present as intense piercing or burning pain behind or around one eye. They are painful and recurrent and may be accompanied by additional symptoms such as:

• Swollen eyelids
• Watering eyes
• A runny or plugged nose
• Restlessness or anxiety
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks. Treatment options include oxygen therapy, steroids, and other medications such as verapamil, sumatriptan, etc.

Medication-overuse headache (MOH)

This is a common secondary type of headache also referred to as rebound headache. It presents as a regular/everyday headache with symptoms resembling migraine or tension headaches.

Treatment:

Stopping the drug that is causing the headaches is the only way to treat MOH. Your doctor can help you draw up a plan on how to reduce and stop the painkiller medications.

Hypnic headaches

In most cases, hypnic headaches affect adults after the age of 50, waking sufferers from their sleep, that is why they are also addressed as “alarm clock” headaches. It can last up to three hours and is described as mild to moderate throbbing pain.

Treatment:

A thorough medical evaluation is required to diagnose and treat hypnic headaches. Treatment options include caffeine, lithium, and Indomethacin.

Sinus headaches

Sinusitis, an infection of the sinuses, can cause sinus headaches. Usually, an allergy or infection is the cause. The pain site depends on which sinuses are involved but it generally a dull, throbbing pain around the eyes, cheekbones, and forehead.

Treatment:

In most cases, sinusitis resolves in two to three weeks.

Options for treatment include:

• Antihistamines/ Nasal decongestants
• Drinking fluids and resting
• Simple pain relieving medications
• Steroid nasal sprays
• Saltwater nasal sprays or solutions
• Antibiotics

Caffeine-related headaches

These headaches can occasionally result from a high caffeine intake of more than 400 milligrams (mg), or roughly 4 cups of coffee per day although individual thresholds can vary. Headaches may be accompanied by nausea, low mood or irritability, and difficulties focusing.

Hangover headaches

Drinking too much alcohol can give you a throbbing headache the next day or even later that day. These headaches that resemble migraines usually affect both sides of the head and can get worse with movement. Together with a headache from a hangover, nausea and sensitivity to light are other possible effects.

Treatment:

Although there is no known treatment for hangovers, symptoms can be lessened by consuming sweet foods and drinking lots of water. OTC medicines may assist in easing or ending the headache. The majority of hangover symptoms disappear within 72 hours.

Menstrual headaches

Hormone changes usually cause headaches. As the estrogen levels fluctuate during menstruation, migraines may develop. Hormone-related headaches frequently start 2 or 3 days before or after a period, as well as during ovulation. The symptoms can continue longer but are similar to migraine without an aura.

Other causes of headaches brought on by hormones are:

• Menopause
• Oral contraceptives
• Pregnancy

Treatment:

Menstrual headaches are treated in the same way as migraines without an aura. Taking a trip tan or anti-inflammatories around the time of your period is one possible preventive intervention.

Exertional headache

Exertional headaches can be caused by intense physical exercise. Although they frequently last just a few hours, these headaches can occasionally persist for up to two days. Those with a family history of migraines are more likely to experience them, which usually manifest as throbbing headaches.

Treatment:

Among the remedies for exertional headaches are:

• Beta-blockers
• Over-the-counter painkillers

A note from the best pain management specialist in Hyderabad

Headaches can affect almost everyone and over-the-counter painkillers will frequently make them go away. However, headaches can occasionally be a sign of a significant underlying medical problem, or they may impact your quality of life. To rule out potential reasons and gain assistance with treatment options, you can seek specialist opinion from Dr. Narendra Reddy, the best pain management specialist in Hyderabad.