Description:

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Headaches are very common. Most headaches disappear on their own (with a little time) or with the help of mild pain relievers. Although most headaches are mild and temporary annoyances, some people have headaches that are so severe they need to consult a doctor for pain relief.

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There are various types of headaches: tension, migraine, sinus, and cluster headaches. In a small number of cases, headaches may signal a more serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

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Tension Headaches Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, presenting  as a dull ache in the head with a feeling of tightness across the forehead, temples and back of the head, and tenderness of the scalp, neck and shoulder muscles. Some describe tension headaches as feeling as if the head is “gripped in a vice.

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Migraine Headaches are chronic headaches that can cause significant pain for hours or even days. Some headaches begin with sensory warning signals such as auras, flashes of light, blind spots, and or tingling in the arm or leg. Nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light or sound often accompany migraine headaches.

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Causes:

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Headaches can be caused by chemical activity in the brain, nerve or blood vessel interference of the head or skull, or tension in the muscles of the head or skull.

Headaches can be triggered by a variety of factors. The most common cause of headaches is prolonged tension or stress. These are called tension headaches or muscle-contraction headaches. Muscles in your scalp, neck, and face tighten and contract, causing spasms and pain. Psychological factors such as anxiety, fatigue, and stress, as well as mechanical factors such as neck strain are often the culprits behind a typical tension headache.

 

Tension Headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck. A variety of foods, activities, and stressors can cause these types of contractions. Some people develop tension headaches after staring at a computer screen for long hours or driving for long periods. Cold temperatures may also trigger a tension headache in some people.

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The cause of Migraine Headaches is not known but many trigger factors are recognized. These include hormonal changes, certain foods (chocolate, aged cheeses), beverages (red wine), strong odors, lack of sleep, and even stress. It is not uncommon to experience mixed tension-migraine headaches.