Tension headaches are probably the most common type. They are usually caused by tension in the muscles in the neck, shoulders and face. Migraines are considered more debilitating and affect more women compared to men, with 13% of women suffering migraines as compared to 6% of men. Such headaches are commonly more intense and might linger for longer periods of time compared to tension headaches. Cluster headaches are also quite severe, and sometimes last for as much as several weeks.
Everyone has experienced a tension headache at one time or another. They usually only last for a short period of time, and are characterized by pain around the eyes and temples. The area of discomfort is in part due to the muscle that is feeling the strain. Although it is usually in the above areas, the pain can appear anywhere above the neck.
Watery eyes and runny nose are often symptoms that accompany a tension headache. Red eyes can also occur as the pain works it's way down from the eyebrows. Tension headaches are different from common headaches as they might not trigger off noise and photo-sensitivity. This is more common to migraine headaches.
Anyone who has ever suffered from a migraine knows that they are totally unrelated to tension headaches. To a large extent, hereditary genes are responsible for the onset of this sort of headache and other factors are still not clearly documented. There are relatively useful treatments for migraines but in most cases, migraine sufferers would have to deal with it for the rest of their lives.
Migraines are characterized by intense, throbbing pain around the eyes and temples. It is common for the pain to trouble one side before migrating to the other temple. The pain can be so debilitating that it seems to affect other areas of the head as well. Inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes is also a common symptom of migraine headaches.
Secondary headaches are severe headaches that are associated with some already existing medical condition. Headaches can be caused by a tumor in the brain as well.
There are other types of signs that are linked to the onset of migraines. Extreme sensitivity to sound and light are common. These headaches vary in duration, from a few hours to a few days or more. Fatigue, sleepiness, and cravings for sweets are common warning signs that a migraine is about to begin.
The pain is sometimes so intense that it is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Sensitivity to light and sound, diarrhea, and cold hands and feet are also common symptoms. Such headaches can be triggered off by harmless activities such as climbing the stairs.
Cluster headaches tend to have a patten of discomfort. They usually last only a short time, but they come back every day for a certain amount of time. It is not unheard of for this cycle to go on for as long as a month or even longer. After this period of time, they usually go away for months, and then return. This pattern is what separates cluster headaches from migraines. The type and severity of the pain is similar in both cases.
Children are just as susceptible to headaches as adults are. Too much exertion, heat, loud sounds, and bright lights can cause children to have headaches, and if a child feels a great deal of tension, they may have tension headaches as well. Of course, headaches also often accompany fever if a child is ill.
Unfortunately, children cannot take the same pain medication for headaches that adults take, and most children's medication may not be strong enough to deal with the pain. Young children don't know how to express how much pain they are in, and may not even realize that what they have is in fact a headache.
When a child can tell you that they have a headache, the first thing you should do is use an over-the-counter children's pain reliving medication. You can also teach the child some relaxation techniques to help reduce or relieve tension headaches. Remember that the children's medication may help, but it typically is not strong enough to completely get rid of a headache. Sleep will often take care of a child's headache.
The child should be given plenty of fluids as well. Often, dehydration will cause a headache, and children tend to lose a lot of body fluids in their day to day activities. If you can keep the child properly hydrated, you will reduce or even prevent headaches.
Since light can cause headaches, consider getting a pair of sunglasses for your child as well. There are sunglasses that are made specifically to prevent headaches, and they make these sunglasses for children as well. Children spend a great deal of time in bright lights - whether the light is artificial, such as fluorescent lighting, or natural, such as sunshine.
If your child has frequent headaches, you should take him or her to your healthcare provider to determine the cause. For frequent painful headaches, prescription medication may be needed.
Head Aches in Every Day Life
A head ache can hit you at any time, without any warning. You have to learn how deal with the head aches from the moment they start. Taking medicine that puts you to sleep at work or in the car is not an option, and you must have an alternate way of dealing with the pain.
By learning how to deal with head aches in a quick way, you can continue to live your life exactly how it should be lived. There are a few things you can try to help with headaches. You can carry medicine that doesn't put you to sleep; you can try herbal teas and ice packs. You can also use deep breathing and relaxation techniques, as this is very effective especially in the event of stress or tension headaches.
No matter what it is that you do, as long as it works you can go on living your life normally. By finding a way to work around headaches you will be able to overcome them altogether and eventually will stop having them as frequently as before.
The best way to over come head aches is to talk to your doctor, take medicine at the moment a head ache starts, and to just go through your day the same as you would without a head ache.
Head aches can be painful though, and they may stop you from doing some things such as working in strong light, working in loud areas, and even working in places with different smells. Head aches make your body sensitive to light, sounds and smells.
When you are at a job that has bright lights, loud sounds, or strong odors, you may often find that you feel weak, in pain, and sick. Try to prevent the headaches from occurring by using sunglasses to shield your eyes from the bright lights, ear plugs to muffle the loud sounds, and possibly even a filtered mask to avoid the strong odors.
Both Moses Wright & Rick Cosby are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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