What are the Different Types of Headaches?
Most people experience headaches at some time in their lives. Headaches can be mild or severe and not all headaches are the same. Some of the different types of headaches include migraine, ice cream, sinister, cluster, chronic, facial and tension.
Tension headaches are also known as muscle contraction headaches. Tension headaches are quite common and are usually fairly mild. Pain and pressure are felt all across the head and the scalp may feel tender as well.
Facial headaches include sinusitis. Sinusitis usually causes pain between the eyes and in the mouth. The pain is often increased when the head is lowered. Some facial headaches cause jaw or cheek pain.
Chronic headaches are headaches that occur for more than half the month for six months or more. Chronic headaches are much more common for men than women. Many people suffer from almost daily headaches for years before seeking help. Chronic headaches are often accompanied by a stiff neck and are thought to be stress-related in many cases.
Cluster headaches are quite rare. Cluster headaches tend to occur for several months at a time and then stop until they reappear the following year. Cluster headache sufferers may experience many headaches in a single day. Symptoms of cluster headaches may include red watery eyes and a runny nose. Cluster headaches have been found to occur more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers.
Sinister headaches are headaches that are signs of a serious condition such as meningitis, glaucoma or carbon monoxide poisoning. General sickness, a stiff neck and fever may accompany a sinister headache in cases of meningitis. A sore eye with redness and nausea and vomiting may accompany a sinister headache in glaucoma sufferers. Carbon monoxide poisoning may produce a sinister headache, nausea and vomiting and vision problems in severe cases.
Ice cream headaches can be caused by ingesting very cold foods or beverages very fast. The ice cream headache is also called an ice pick headache and is a sharp stabbing head pain. Some people may experience several ice cream headaches in one day.
Migraine headaches can be severe headaches and affect more women than men. Sensitivity to light and noise, pain on one side of the head, nausea and vomiting may be signs of a migraine headache. Stress, low blood sugar levels, reaction to chemical odors, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, alcohol and smoked foods are all thought to be possible causes of migraine headaches.
Written by Sheri Cyprus
