{"id":2862,"date":"2018-10-01T22:09:18","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T22:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=2862"},"modified":"2021-10-13T03:50:35","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T03:50:35","slug":"12-types-of-headaches-and-what-they-tell-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/12-types-of-headaches-and-what-they-tell-you\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Types of Headaches and What They Tell You"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When we\u2019re talking about the statistics behind headaches, it\u2019s one of the three most commonly reported health conditions in the world \u2013 and as much of 12% of Americans say that they have chronic and recurring migraine headaches.<\/p>\n

The statistic is even higher when we start to include other types of headaches in this statistic \u2013 and there can be as many as twelve different types of headaches to mention.<\/p>\n

Why is this important? Because every different type of headache and its symptoms can tell you something else about your health \u2013 and once you\u2019ve established this, then you can work on treating the condition and the cause.<\/p>\n

You should see your doctor if any type of headache persists: While headaches are a condition on their own, they can also present as a symptom of something.<\/p>\n

Here are 12 of the most common types of headaches and just what they can tell you.<\/p>\n

1. Cluster Headaches<\/h3>\n

Cluster headaches are one of the worst kinds of headaches that you can experience, which is why it makes one of the top headaches<\/a> on this list. It\u2019s called cluster headaches because of the tendency to occur in a grouped \u201ccluster\u201d that might be hours, days, weeks or even sometimes months apart \u2013 and cluster headaches only last for a few hours to days at a time, but then they\u2019re right back when you thought that you were fine.<\/p>\n

The easiest way to treat cluster headaches is to find the cause: Once the cause has been treated, the headache goes away \u2013 but as long as the cause sticks around, you can expect to struggle with these.<\/p>\n

Visit your doctor if you suspect that cluster headaches might be the problem. There are many treatment options (and sometimes just small lifestyle changes) that can help to take care of cluster headaches and make them a thing of the past. <\/p>\n

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2. Migraine Headaches<\/h3>\n

Migraine<\/a> headaches are another one of the headaches that can be considered the most painful on this list of headaches \u2013 and they usually last the longest. It\u2019s not uncommon for headaches to last as long as three days or more, and during those three days, the only thing you can think about is the overwhelming pain.<\/p>\n

If you have a migraine headache, then there can be hundreds of different triggers including your diet or associated stress and muscle tension. The best thing to do for a migraine headache is to get plenty of rest and ensure that you\u2019re getting in enough fluids. You\u2019ll also want to make sure you avoid light and sound \u2013 these are factors that can make a migraine much worse.<\/p>\n

Ice packs and a hot bath can also turn out to help soothe the symptoms of a migraine headache. If this doesn\u2019t help, see a doctor find out what can be prescribed to help the condition, and to find the underlying cause. <\/p>\n

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3. Vision Headaches<\/h3>\n

Vision<\/a> headaches are very common, and most people might not notice that their eyes are the cause of their headaches. If you want to be sure, take note of what you are doing right before, after, and during the headache \u2013 were you at any point straining your eyes to see or read something, or were you doing something that\u2019s intensive for your eyes?<\/p>\n

This can also happen if you are exposed to sunlight and your eyes are very sensitive to light. These headaches are best handled with a reduction in light exposure, rest and silence \u2013 though if it is a headache associated with your eyes, then you should have your eyes checked as soon as you can; if you wear glasses, it might be time to have them adjusted \u2013 or if you have just gotten glasses, this is a sign that your eyes are still getting used to them: Give it a day or so and note your symptoms then.<\/p>\n

Oh, and if you don\u2019t wear glasses and get these types of headaches, now might be a good time to start: See your doctor. <\/p>\n

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4. Tension Headaches<\/h3>\n

Tension headaches can tell you a lot about your health, and they are common in people who spend a long time hunched in the same position \u2013 for example, people who work at a desk for most of their lives; they can also be very common in people who take a lot of muscular strain, such as professional sportspeople.<\/p>\n

Tension headaches are always a reason for concern, usually because they\u2019re pointing to the fact that there\u2019s something else wrong with your health that will need to be addressed: Sometimes neck and back problems can be associated with tension headaches, and you could expose yourself to even more serious injury if you don\u2019t treat the cause.<\/p>\n

Posture can be a common cause, as can muscular strain; massage<\/a> and heat compresses can help to ease the pain that comes along with a tension headache.<\/p>\n

If it continues or culminates in other symptoms such as numbness in the extremities, take special care and make an immediate appointment with your doctor. <\/p>\n

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5. Dehydration Headaches<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s been long believed that people should get at least eight glasses of water per day if they want to be healthy \u2013 but have you thought about how many questions this brings up? For one, how large is the average glass \u2013 and what about someone who has a smaller stomach, or simply different needs to keep their body in good shape.<\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s agreed by most health professionals that the amount of water any one person needs for good health is down to everyone\u2019s own body makeup \u2013 and it might be a little less or a little more than the recommended amount. Everyone knows, more or less, how much that should be.<\/p>\n

Headaches can easily be a symptom of dehydration<\/a> \u2013 common if you haven\u2019t had anything to drink for a while, or if you\u2019ve just spent a considerable amount of effort expanding fluid through your sweat. Frequent urination or vomiting can also lead to dehydration, so take care if you are recovering from stomach flu.<\/p>\n

Usually, drinking some water or juice to replenish lost fluid is enough to take care of this type of headache. <\/p>\n

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6. Physical Trauma Headaches<\/h3>\n

Physical trauma headaches will take place if you\u2019ve experienced any kind of physical trauma to your head. Whether it\u2019s a heavy blow or a slight knock, you should always be concerned if you have received any kind of blow to the head \u2013 especially if you can associate symptoms like a headache, insomnia<\/a>, nausea, and vomiting with it at the same time.<\/p>\n

This could mean that it\u2019s more than just a headache due to physical trauma: It could mean that you have a concussion or that you are suffering from internal bleeding. If you suspect at all that this might be the case, then your first (and only) step should be getting medical attention and preventing any further damage (including through quick movements or hard jerks).<\/p>\n

One of the sure ways to check whether someone has had a concussion during a brain injury is checking how their pupils respond to light \u2013 too fast, too quick or not the same in both eyes are all reasons to be more concerned.<\/p>\n

Always seek medical attention after any kind of head trauma \u2013 even if you don\u2019t display any symptoms. <\/p>\n

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7. Sinus Headaches<\/h3>\n

Sinus<\/a> headaches are commonly associated with allergies and allergic reactions; they can also be associated with the symptoms of colds and flu, or point to an underlying sinus condition that needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n

If you suspect that you might have a sinus headache, remember that it\u2019s going to make it worse to blow your nose \u2013 and you will likely just cause more pressure in your head, which can cause more pain. Sneezing feels like a blow to the head if sinus headaches are the cause, and you should take care if you show any allergy symptoms along with this.<\/p>\n

Sinus headaches can be treated with simple over-the-counter medication \u2013 or try some home remedies such as breathing in steam over a bowl of heated water and see if this brings any relief to your symptoms.<\/p>\n

Other home remedies for sinus headaches can include a message to loosen the pressure, or a cocktail of turmeric and honey \u2013 sometimes even chilies have been known to help for this.<\/p>\n

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8. Hormone-related Headaches<\/h3>\n

Headaches can sometimes also be caused by hormones<\/a>, and this is common when going through hormonal changes in your life \u2013 take note if you are experiencing an increased frequency of headaches near a certain time of the month, or a specific phase of your life; also take note if you can combine any of these symptoms with early menopause, which can kick in as early as your thirties.<\/p>\n

Hormone-associated headaches aren\u2019t just limited to women, and they can also happen in men where there is a potential hormone imbalance.<\/p>\n

The best way to tell for either sex is to make an appointment with your doctor and have your hormone levels tested \u2013 particularly if other symptoms like irritability or depression can be counted at the same time.<\/p>\n

There are also some diet triggers that can make associated hormone conditions worse: Avoid foods high in hormones such as pork and chicken, especially if you find that they make any of your existing symptoms worse.<\/p>\n

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9. Withdrawal-related Headaches<\/h3>\n

Headaches can also be a sign of physical withdrawal \u2013 and in most cases, people have no idea that this is what\u2019s causing their headache. The thing they don\u2019t realize is you don\u2019t have to be on hard drugs or an alcoholic to withdraw from something: The same can count for many different substances that don\u2019t even fall on the scale of serious drugs, including caffeine and sugar.<\/p>\n

The same can also happen with certain prescription medications as a side-effect \u2013 and you should mention this to your doctor if you suspect that this is the case. Cigarettes<\/a> and nicotine-enhanced vaporizer liquids could also cause this withdrawal headache.<\/p>\n

Headaches related to withdrawal will usually go away as soon as the substance has worked itself out of the body \u2013 though you can help this process along with a good detox and drinking plenty of water to flush out your system.<\/p>\n

In case your headaches are related to serious drug or substance abuse, seek help before it\u2019s too late \u2013 there are many resources, including local ones, that are able to help. <\/p>\n

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10. Tiredness Headaches<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s recommended that people get an average of six to eight hours of quality sleep per night \u2013 though it\u2019s agreed that this number can be a little higher or a little lower for some; no two sleep schedules are exactly the same, and you\u2019ll know what your comfortable base-line is for having a good night\u2019s worth of sleep.<\/p>\n

If you are overly tired (or just overworked), you could easily get a tiredness-related headache \u2013 and this can happen even when you are getting enough sleep.<\/p>\n

If you experience tiredness<\/a> headaches that don\u2019t go away even with adjustments to your sleep schedule and find that you\u2019re still feeling lethargic and tired, you should visit your doctor to find the underlying cause.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a chance that it could be more than just a headache \u2013 everything from infections through to chronic fatigue syndrome can cause you to feel tired all the time, and it can be a potential minefield of symptoms if you don\u2019t visit a doctor and address it sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

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11. Diet Headaches<\/h3>\n

Diet<\/a> is among the most common trigger for headaches, and you should start taking a much closer look at just when you are experiencing headaches if you suspect that this might be the case with yours. Start off by taking note what time the headache occurred, and note what you were eating, drinking and doing at least two hours before and after \u2013 this can help you to establish any potential triggers for your headache, and can also help you to take care this type of headache forever.<\/p>\n

There are some triggers that are common for diet headaches \u2013 including sugar, chocolate, and caffeine; sometimes even dairy is likely to trigger headaches in some. If this is the case, adjust your diet and see if there is any noticeable change.<\/p>\n

If you experience any serious allergy-like symptoms along with a headache, then seek medical attention: An allergic reaction is much more serious, and could lead to hospitalization or worse. <\/p>\n

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12. Blood Pressure Headaches<\/h3>\n

Normal blood pressure<\/a> is usually 120 over 80 \u2013 though small variations in this can be considered normal. Once it falls outside of the normal range, then you have either high or low blood pressure, and each of these has its associated symptoms.<\/p>\n

Both low and high blood pressure is associated with symptoms like distortion of vision, and they can also be the cause behind a headache that is triggered once your blood pressure goes to dangerously high or low levels.<\/p>\n

For bringing low blood pressure up in an emergency, consume salt; for bringing high blood pressure down when an emergency hits, potassium is the key \u2013 and usually eating a banana will do, and it might even be enough to relieve the symptoms of your headache as soon as your blood pressure has returned to normal.<\/p>\n

See your doctor if this becomes a recurring problem so that the condition can be managed effectively and safely.<\/p>\n\r\n

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