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Headache is a common disorder of our nervous system. It has been estimated that almost half of the adult population experience a headache at least once a year. It is also considered a major cause of absenteeism from work and school.
The main symptom of the headache is a throbbing, constant, sharp, or dull pain in your head or face which can last between 30 minutes to several hours. Once you know the type of headache you have, you can figure out the treatment that’s most likely to help and even try to prevent them.
More than 150 types of headaches experienced by people can be classified mainly into two categories: primary and secondary headaches.
A primary headache has no known underlying cause. It can be the result of overactivity or problems with pain-sensitive structures in your head.
The category includes:
Cluster headaches are distinguished by sudden-onset severe pain, generally behind one of your eyes. Even though cluster headache is the most severe type, it is less common than tension headaches and migraines. Cluster headaches mainly occur in groups, sometimes daily or multiple times a day and last 1-3 hours. The pain will recur, in the same way, each time.
Migraine headaches are characterized by intense and throbbing pain. It can be accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Migraines can last several days in some people as a result of chemical imbalances in the brain. It can also be a result of genetic causes such as heredity.
These are the most common type of headaches experienced by people. Tension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract due to factors such as stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety.
Symptoms of tension headaches include moderate pain on or around both sides of the head and pain in the back of your head and neck. Tension headaches build slowly and are not usually associated with nausea and vomiting. These headaches can be chronic, occurring often or even every day.
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) is a primary headache disorder characterized by chronic and persistent headaches that occur daily for at least a period of 3 months. Usually, common triggers for NDPH can be an infection, viral illness, surgical procedure, and stress-causing life events.
A secondary headache can be the result of any other conditions that trigger pain-sensitive areas in the neck and head. Even though secondary headaches are rare, they can also be much more serious than primary headaches. The secondary headaches can be a warning sign of some serious underlying conditions like:
Headache pains are a result of the signals interacting among the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. During a headache attack, an unknown mechanism activates specific nerves that affect your muscles and blood vessels and the nerves send pain signals to the brain.
If you have migraines or a family history of migraines, a neurologist will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination. Advance diagnosis includes the following tests:
There are ways to reduce your risk of headache or at least make it less severe. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following these tips are good start to preventing frequent headache attacks.
The best way to get rid of a headache quickly depends on what’s causing it and what type of headache it is. Following remedies will ensure a speedy recovery and help in the prevention of the most common headaches.
If you are experiencing headache symptoms three or more times a month, it may be time to consult a doctor. Consider seeking preventive treatment if the headaches impact your quality of life and cause additional problems like stress, depression, or other concerns. It is also important to talk with your doctor if you experience a new kind of headache or a different type of headache.
Headache is a common health condition that many people will experience multiple times during their lifetime. Repeated headache attacks and the constant fear of the next one can damage your family life, social life, and employment. But it can be cured effectively with medication, stress management, and biofeedback. Seek medical help for your headache when in need.
The Gulf region has one of the highest cases of headaches in the world. Migraines and other headaches often go untreated despite being a leading cause of disability in the UAE. The Department of Neurology at the Neuro Spinal Hospital offers advanced diagnosis and treatment for different types of headaches.
If you frequently experience headaches, and are seeking expert treatment, book your consultation with our Neurologists.
Neuro Spinal Hospital is a pioneer by bringing the best and the latest in Medicine, Technology and Education to serve and heal the community.
