When experiencing a headache, we often don’t consider its type. However, knowing what type of headache you have can help determine its cause and how to relieve your symptoms.
There are a few different categories of headaches, each with key characteristics that can help identify what kind you have. These are the most common types of headaches and their symptoms and causes.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches usually manifest as a dull, aching pain that forms in a band around your head. When suffering from tension headaches, you may experience pain or tenderness on the forehead, scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles. Tension headaches can affect anyone as they’re often caused by stress. The first line of defense is to address your stress levels through adequate sleep, diet, exercise, and other measures.
Acute Headaches
An acute headache is a headache that comes on quickly and rapidly gets worse. They can be caused by various triggers, including menstruation, lack of sleep, head injuries, tooth pain, and more.
Acute headaches affect most people. But, if you are experiencing them daily or several times a day, it’s time to dig into the root causes to find relief.
Cluster
Cluster headaches usually start as a feeling of burning or piercing pain behind one eye at a time. They are often characterized by swelling, redness, and congestion. They’re more common in the spring and fall and more likely to be suffered by men than women.
Migraines
Migraines are not a type of headache. This is an important distinction to make to ensure you get proper treatment. They are a primary headache disorder that causes intense and pulsing pain felt deep inside your head. However, they often have other symptoms as well, such as sensitivity to light, loud sounds, and strong scents. Episodes can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Migraines often run in families. In other cases, they are a result of other nervous system issues. When you schedule a consultation with The Pain Experts of Arizona, we can help you identify the cause of your migraines and develop a treatment plan.
Schedule a Consultation
When headaches and migraines don’t respond to over-the-counter medicine and home remedies, it’s time to explore your options. Call The Pain Experts of Arizona at 480-550-9393 to learn more, or contact us through our website; we proudly serve Gilbert, Mesa, and the surrounding areas in Arizona.
