Do headaches tend to weigh you down?Do they hamper your productivity by preventing you from accomplishing what you need to do at work or at home?Do they hinder you from living the way you wanted to? If truth were known, millions of people out there share these exact sentiments.
In fact, headaches are so prevalent that they are considered to be one of the most common ailments plaguing our society today.
There are many different types of headaches and even more varied causes, which trigger the onset of the problem.
A headache may be categorized as any of the following: .
Tension Headaches.
Physical and/or emotional stress may bring about tension headaches.
With this type of headache, you might feel a certain gripping pressure like the head is in a vise.
A dull burning sensation above the eyes and pain in the jaw, neck and shoulder areas may sometimes accompany tension headaches.
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Migraine Headaches.
This type of headache is caused by significant changes in the flow of blood in the head and is hence also called vascular headaches.
A migraine is usually characterized by throbbing pain in one or both sides of the temple, a marked sensitivity to light and/or noise, nausea and vomiting.
The duration and recurrence of migraines varies widely from one person to another.
For some, it may last for just a few hours while others may need to endure it for a few days.
Still others may be forced to bear the pain several times a week while some may be more blessed and be troubled by migraines just once every few years! .
Cluster Headaches.
Did you ever experience a sudden and extremely severe headache, which affects just one side of the head (usually in the temple area or behind the eye)?This type of headache is commonly known as a cluster headache and is noticeably more prevalent in men as compared to women.
With cluster headaches, the pain usually starts at night and lasts from 30 minutes to several hours.
The habitual use of cigarettes and alcohol are among the most common factors, which trigger this type of headaches.
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Chemical Headache.
If your headaches after exposure to certain chemicals such as paint, varnish, insect spray and cigarette smoke, you might be suffering from what is known as a chemical headache.
To treat this, you need to get away from the source of the offending chemicals, get a breath of fresh air and drink plenty of water to flush the toxins away from your body.
Aside from these, headaches may also indicate other health problems.
If you wake up in the morning with a throbbing headache, it may indicate that you are suffering from sinusitis or allergies.
If you are trying to cut down on caffeine, drinking less coffee in the morning may lead to a headache.
Headaches accompanied by severe eye pain should be given immediate medical attention, for it may indicate glaucoma.
Headaches accompanied with fever, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting may either be caused by encephalitis and/or meningitis.
The possibilities may be endless since headaches are one of the most common symptoms, which accompany most medical conditions.
Most headaches that occur by themselves (without other accompanying symptoms) can usually be treated and prevented by taking good care of your self.
However, if you had an unusual headache that is very much different from anything you have ever experienced before, don't take it lightly.
Seek immediate medical attention.