The A to Z of Headaches

You are here:
Directory | Headaches | Headache Types

Headache Types
By Wendy Simons

There are a number of commonly known headache types. These include migraine headaches, tension headaches, chronic daily headaches, cluster headaches, ice pick headaches and sinister headaches.

A migraine headache is a severe headache. This headache has been found to have a profound impact on the daily lives of the sufferers. The pain can be a pulsating sensation or sometimes a throbbing head pain. This throbbing pain can be moderate to severe. The symptoms of migraine headaches include nausea, extreme sensitivity to light and sound. With migraine headache types there is an early warning sensation called an aura.

This aura can be vision changes, you may see bright flashes, zigzags and sometimes you may even lose part of your vision. You may even experience numbness or tingling in your arms. These warning symptoms will fade a few days before the migraine attacks begin. A migraine headache can last for about 3 days without any medication before it subsides.

Tension headache types cause a dull and constant pain around the forehead region, the sides or back of the head. Some people liken a tension headache to a tight band around the head. This is considered to be one of the most common types of headache. In a tension headache you will not find symptoms like light sensitivity, nausea or even vomiting.

Tension headaches can occur as episodic or chronic. Generally most sufferers of tension headache types experience chronic headaches most of the time. It is estimated that about 40% of people suffer from tension headaches. Chronic daily headaches are yet another of the headache types.

Most of the time chronic daily headaches are tension headaches or headaches that are caused by too much pain medication. In this headache type the pain is a constant, dull pain. There is also a feeling or tightness like a rubber band around the head. A chronic daily headache can be diagnosed by its length of time. That is the pain must last for 15 continuous days per month during a 3 month time period.

Another of the headache types is that of Cluster headaches. This is a rare but very painful type of headache. The name of the headache occurs from the fact that the headache pain happens in clusters. Frequent periods of Cluster headaches may last weeks or months. This time period is followed by long periods headache-free time.

Cluster headaches are found on one side of the head. Usually the sharp, penetrating pain begins behind an eye. Cluster headache types cause red, teary eyes, a stuffy nose. Sometimes symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light may occur.

These are just a few of the many headaches that can be experienced. The pain from the headache types can be mild or they can be excruciating in their severity. To find relief from these headache types you can talk with your doctor about treatment or you can buy some over the counter headache pain medication.

Author Details:
Wendy Simons, writes for various websites, mainly about skin care, microdermabrasion and other health matters. If you are looking for further information try these migraine articles from Simply Top

Source: The A to Z of Headaches

NOTE: This article may be reproduced ONLY if this note, the article source, the author details with all links remaining active and in place.

Related Headache Articles:

Straight to the point short articles about the headache:

Older Articles About Headaches:

You are here:
Directory | Headaches |