A headache is the worst. It’s one of those things that can make you feel like your head is going to explode and there’s nothing you can do about it. Luckily, we’re here with a list of 10 types of headaches and what might be causing them!
1. Migraine
Migraines are characterized by intense episodes of nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), phonophobia (sensitivity to sound), and osmophobia (aversions to certain smells/odors). Migraine sufferers may also experience difficulty with motor skills, concentration, speech, and memory. More than 90% of migraine sufferers say their headaches are accompanied by one or more of these symptoms.
Migraines can be triggered by certain foods (red wine, peanuts, chocolate) and stress; however, if the Headache is severe, constant & or does not respond to nonprescription pain medication, call your doctor for an appointment.
2. Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches are more common in males than females and typically begin between the ages of 20-40. The pain caused by this type of Headache is usually felt above one eye or behind the eye, around the temple area. It has been compared to having an ice pick jammed into your eye socket. People who suffer from cluster headaches may also experience other symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, and nasal congestion.
The pain can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours, and the episodes have been known to occur in groups over periods of weeks or even months. If you think you’re suffering from a cluster headache, get medical treatment immediately.
3. Ice Cream Headache
Otherwise known as “brain freeze,” an ice cream headache is a sharp pain on the roof of your mouth caused by eating food/drink too quickly. The pain lasts only about 20 seconds, but it can be intense enough to bring anyone to their knees. Scientists believe the increased blood flow and pressure in the sinuses and head cause pain.
4. Realize Headache
Realize headaches are much like ice cream headaches in that they both result from increased pressure in the sinus and head area due to cold weather, allergies, or high altitudes. Realize headaches usually disappear once you remove yourself from the provoking factor(s). Realize headaches are also known as “Holiday Headaches” since they typically occur during the winter season.
5. Sinus Headache
Sinus headaches usually follow a cold or flu and result from inflammation of one or more of the sinuses. Symptoms include pain around the eyes, cheeks, nose, teeth, or on top of the head. The pain can be mild or severe and usually lasts between 1-7 days. Treatment typically includes ibuprofen and/or extra rest, and sinus headaches go away on their own once the cold has passed.
Learn more: headache symptoms.
6. Caffeine Headache
Caffeine withdrawal is one of the most common causes of headaches in the United States. For some people, stopping caffeine intake all of a sudden can cause headaches and/or irritability. If you suspect this may be the case for you, try weaning yourself off caffeine by drinking less coffee and tea each day and replacing caffeinated drinks with decaf ones, or try drinking smaller servings throughout the day rather than one big cup at night.
7. Alcohol Withdrawal Headache
Many people who drink a lot of alcohol over long periods of time can experience withdrawals when trying to quit drinking. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and mild to severe headaches. This type of Headache may also be accompanied by quivering lips and/or hands, fever, and a sore throat. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, so seek medical help if you or someone you know is having problems with alcohol. Most alcohol rehab clinics also include headaches treatment in Omaha.
8. Rebound Headaches
Rebound headaches are like caffeine and alcohol withdrawals in that they stem from the overuse of pain medication. Rebound headaches can occur after taking medicine for an initial headache; the medicine may work at first, but the effect wears off quickly, leading to another headache which prompts you to take more medicine…and on and on it goes. If this is the case for you, try taking NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as ibuprofen instead of Tylenol.
9. Hormonal Headache
Hormonal headaches usually occur when a woman’s estrogen levels drop during menstruation. Hormonal headaches can range from mild to severe and are often felt behind the eyes or in the temples. If you notice severe, frequent headaches before or after your period, consult a pain specialist in Omaha to rule out other possible causes.
10. Tension headache
A tension headache is one of the most common types of headaches. Tension headaches result from tension in the muscles of the neck and scalp, which squeezes nerves that lead to the brain. Symptoms include mild to severe pain, usually across both temples and at the base of the skull. It’s important to note that while tension headaches are not as serious as migraines or Cluster Headaches, they can lead to nausea and/or vomiting.
It is important that you know what type of headache you’re experiencing so that you can seek professional help before it becomes too serious. We hope that this information will come in handy for your future medical needs!
