Headaches can be more complicated than most people realize. Different kinds can have their own set of symptoms, happen for unique reasons, and need different treatments. Once you know the type of headaches you have, you and your doctor can find the treatment that’s most likely to help and even try to prevent them.
There are many types of headaches, but the most common types include:
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache among adults and teens. They cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over time. They usually have no other symptoms.
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches are often described as pounding, throbbing pain. They can last from 4 hours to 3 days and usually happen one to four times a month. Along with the pain, people have other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, noise, or smells; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and upset stomach or belly pain. When a child has a migraine, they may look pale, feel dizzy, and have blurry vision, fever, and an upset stomach. Number of children's migraines include digestive symptoms, like vomiting, that happen about once a month.
Cluster Headaches
These headaches are the most severe. You could have intense burning or piercing pain behind or around one eye. It can be throbbing or constant. The pain can be so bad that most people with cluster headaches can’t sit still and will often pace during an attack. On the side of the pain, the eyelid droops, the eye reddens, pupil gets smaller, or the eye makes tears. The nostril on that side runs or stuffs up.
A hypnic headache is a rare condition that usually begins for the first time in a person’s 50s but can start sooner. Also known as “alarm clock” headaches, they wake people during the night. A hypnic headache consists of a mild-to-moderate throbbing pain usually felt on both sides of the head. It can last for up to 3 hours, and other symptoms may include nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Sinus headaches
Sinus headaches are caused by sinusitis a swelling of the sinuses which is usually the result of an infection or an allergy. The symptoms consist of a dull, throbbing ache around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. The pain may worsen with movement or straining and can sometimes spread to the teeth and jaw. These headaches are usually accompanied by a thick green or yellow nasal discharge. Other symptoms may include blocked nose, fever, nausea, and light or sound sensitivity. Sinus headaches are quite rare. If there are no nasal symptoms, a headache of this nature is more likely to be a migraine.
Most headaches are rarely a sign of something more serious and most people can manage them efficiently with OTC painkillers. However, anyone who experiences severe, persistent, recurrent, or worsening headaches should consult a doctor.
