Headache Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Tension, Migraine, Cluster, Allergy, Fever, Hangover, Sinus Headache
Aug 25, 2009
The main categories of headaches are tension headaches, migraine headaches, cluster headache, allergy headaches, fever headaches, hangover headaches and sinus headaches. According to Carol Orsag Madigan, author of Life’s Big Instruction Book, prevention of headaches is the first step toward avoiding them. Prevention can be accomplished by exercising, eating the proper foods, maintaining a consistent sleeping, waking, and eating pattern, and avoiding overindulgence.
When a headache does occur, here are some guidelines as to how to classify the headache, and the causes, symptoms, and treatments that relate with each type of headache.
Tension Headache Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
According to Madigan, tension headaches account for about 90% of all headaches. Tension headaches are caused by both physical and emotional stress, and unrecognized depression. Tension headaches start with a dull pain around the head, on the left and right sight (not in the center), accompanied by tension in the neck or scalp. The best treatment for tension headaches starts with finding and eliminating the cause of the headache. During an attack, rest and ice packs can cause relief when accompanied by aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprophen.
People suffering from more severe tension headaches may find relief by lying in a darkened room, taking a hot shower, and massaging the tense neck muscles. More intense therapy, such as biofeedback and psychotherapy may be beneficial for some sufferers.
Migraine Headache Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Common Migraine: A common migraine is caused by heredity, foods such as red wine and chocolate, birth control pills, skipping a meal, sleeping in, intense light on the eyes (flashing, bright), changes in altitude and weather, and stress. The symptoms of a common migraine are throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, occasional nausea or vomiting, as well as dizziness, tremor, or light/sound sensitivity. Common migraines, according to Madigan, can be alleviated by changes in lifestyle (avoiding trigger foods), ice packs, over the counter pain relievers, or prescription drugs. Relaxation techniques and lying down in a darkened room can alleviate the intensity.
Classic Migraine: Classic migraines are usually caused by the same factors as the common migraine described above. Symptoms of a classic migraine, however, are distinctly different. Symptoms can include aura-visual disturbances, hallucinations, numbness in the extremities, and smelling unusual smells. These symptoms are followed by the headache. Madigan suggests taking ergotamine or practicing biofeedback during the aura disturbances to help alleviate the classic migraine.
Menstrual Migraine: Menstrual migraines are caused by fluctuating estrogen levels around the time of ovulation or the menstrual cycle. Lowering salt intake and exercise can help avoid some menstrual migraines. Prescriptions are also available to help with this type of migraine, as well as the common and classic migraine.
Cluster Headache Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Cluster headaches are known to be caused by smoking and alcohol consumption. Cluster headaches are headaches that occur in group attacks for short periods of time, and then go away. Common symptoms are pain around one eye, nasal congestion and a red face. A doctor should be able to prescribe blood-vessel constrictors to help reduce cluster headaches.
Allergy Headache Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Allergy headaches are fairly self-explanatory, caused by common allergies such as pollen, molds, or other allergens. Watery eyes, nasal congestion, and cough are all symptoms of allergy headaches. Testing can be performed to determine the cause of the allergy or over the counter or prescription antihistamines and decongestants can alleviate allergy headaches.
Fever Headache Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
A fever headache, according to Madigan, is caused by an infection that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels located in the head. This type of headache develops with a fever, and is more generalized. A visit to the doctor will determine the course of treatment for a fever headache, from aspirin or acetaminophen, to antibiotics.
Hangover Headache Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Overindulgence or alcohol allergy can cause the blood vessels of the brain and brain tissues to dilate and become irritated. Although alcohol can initially induce sleep, sleep patterns are typically interrupted prematurely, causing throbbing and possible nausea and vomiting. Madigan recommends eating foods that contain fructose to help burn the alcohol in the body, as well as increasing liquid consumption.
Sinus Headache Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Often confused with allergy headaches, sinus headaches are caused either by infection, polyps in the nasal passage, or a deviated septum. A sinus headache will cause pain or pressure over the sinus area, typically accompanied by a fever, nasal congestion, and/or a runny nose. A sinus headache caused by an infection requires a course of antibiotics, and possibly decongestants.
When to See a Doctor
While most headaches are minor, and can be relieved with the treatments suggested above, there are times when a visit to a doctor is necessary. A nagging, persistent headache can be a sign of something more serious, and warrants a doctor visit. According the Madigan, if any of the following occur, see a doctor immediately:
- An unexpected, fast pain that occurs without a cause, for example, one that comes on in the middle of the night
- If the headache is accompanied by a high fever, but no other symptoms
- If the headache is accompanied by a fever and a stiff neck
- Confusion, loss of coordination, or double vision accompanies a headache
- The frequency and severity of a headache becomes progressively worse
Headaches can be prevented, manageable, or extremely debilitating. If there is any question as to the severity of the headache or proper treatment, suffers should contact a doctor immediately. More information can be found at the National Headache Foundation website.
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