Headaches: Types and Treatments

 
Headaches. There is nothing pleasant about them. Whether it’s the gentle buzzing in the back of your mind, or throbbing along both sides of your head, headaches are painful! In the United States, headaches plague 45 million people every year. Chances are you’ve probably had one, or maybe more just this semester! Here are the different types of headaches and treatments for each.

• Tension Headaches 
• (MOST COMMON)
• Symptoms:
• Dull, achy
• Feels like there is a tight band around your head
• Mild to moderate pain on both sides of your head
• Can last 30 minutes to a week
• Can be occasional or chronic
• Triggered by stress, neck strain, missed meals, depression, anxiety or lack of sleep
• Treatment:
• Over-the-counter medications: Like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Meditation
• Relaxation techniques

• Migraine Headaches
• Symptoms:
• Throbbing and severe
• Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound
• May worsen with routine activity
• Can last four to 72 hours when untreated
• Treatment:
• Aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing more attacks
• Avoid triggers
• Over-the-counter medications
• Rest in a dark room
• Use a hold or cold compress
• Massage
• Drink water to avoid dehydration

• Chronic Headaches
• Symptoms:
• Experiencing a headache at least 15 times during the month
• Diagnosed by doctor
• Treatment:
• Treat underlying illness or disease
• If cause is unclear, preventative medications.

• Other Headaches:
• Cluster Headaches: In cluster headaches, a person experiences one to three headaches a day over a period of time. They start quickly and reach their highest intensity quickly. They usually affect one side of the head. Over-the-counter medications are not effective in these headaches and other prescribed medications are required.
• Sinus Headaches: A headache that is the result of swelling in the cheek, nose, and eye sinuses.
• Result of cold, flu, fever, or premenstrual syndrome

Headache Journal
If you experience headaches fairly frequently, you may want to keep a headache journal to write the details of your headaches and the factors surrounding it. The following information should be included:

• Time and date of headache
• What you ate in the past 24 hours
• Length of previous night’s sleep
• Activity right before headache started
• Stressors in your life
• How long it lasted
• What treatment worked to relieve symptoms

Sources:
"Headache Statistics." I Hate Headaches. I Hate Headaches, n.d. Web. 24 June 2013. <http://www.ihateheadaches.org/headache-statistics.html>.

"Headache." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Mar. 2013. Web. 24 June 2013. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003024.htm>.

"Headaches: Treatment Depends on Your Diagnosis and Symptoms." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Aug. 2012. Web. 24 June 2013. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/headaches/HE00001>.