Ladies and gentlemen, we all have headaches. Some people have them when they are tired, some people have them if they don’t sleep enough, some people have headaches when they don’t drink enough water, etc.
A quick question – did you know that headaches are one of the main reasons why people miss days at work or school or visit a doctor? Well, the answer is yes and according to the latest statistics (provided by the National Headache Foundation), more than 28 million Americans suffer from migraines alone.
As we mentioned before, there are many different causes for headaches, from the cold to premenstrual syndrome, it can be difficult for sufferers to understand what kind of headache they are experiencing and how to manage their condition. According to the experts, the most common headaches are caused by these common reasons: vascular problem (high blood pressure, toxic overload, etc.), muscle contractions (tension, stress, etc.) and inflammation (infection).
Sinus Headache
The name says it all. That’s right, sinus headache usually occurs when sinuses become inflamed or blocked. Ladies and gentlemen, you should be very careful, because this can cause pain behind the cheeks, nose and eyes that gets worse when your bend forward or when you wake up. The most common causes are: allergic reaction, a tumor, or an infection. Depending on its underlying cause, symptoms can closely resemble those of a migraine.
Cluster Headache
Can I ask you something – have you ever heard of cluster headache? We can answer that question for you – a cluster headache is a sharp, very painful headache that occurs on and off several times a day for months followed by headache-free periods lasting up to 6 months. UNFORTUNATELY, the pain arrives with little warning and typically affects only one side of the head, often accompanied by a bloodshot eye and runny nose. The most common affected areas are: above the eye and near the temples. And, one last thing – these headaches typically last less than an hour and came about at the same time every day.
Tension Headache
Here’s what you need to know – tension headache is usually caused by these two simple reasons: stress and anxiety. How this works?! Well, as muscles tighten in your shoulders, neck and jaw, the headache tends to cause pressure, pulling and contractions that affect your temples, face and scalp. Tension headache can last between a few minutes to a few days. Triggers include lack of sleep, missed meals, stressful situations, high emotions and alcohol.
Migraine
Migraines are severe throbbing or a pulsing sensations that are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. These often occur anywhere for minutes to hours at a time. Some people may experience visual hallucinations like an “aura”, dots or flashing lights, disruptions in smell, touch and taste or numbness. After they subside, migraines often leave the sufferer feeling tired or unable to concentrate.
