Modern science still can’t find an explanation why there are so many different types of headaches. Thousands of people are misdiagnosed on a daily basis when they ask for help from medical professionals about headache symptoms.
Most of the times they just get a prescription for medications to relieve the symptoms. It almost seems like the doctors don’t take into account the fact that sometimes the headaches indicate something more serious. Taking some pills is not always the best solution for a migraine or a headache. Sometimes, it is more important to analyze the symptoms in order to find out whether if the patients need a different treatment or not.
In the end of this article you will find a video where, Dr. Sakib Qureshi, a recognized neurologist, explains the difference between a regular headache and a headache that shows that there may be a presence of life-threatening diseases.
There are dozens of different headaches, but all of them can be separated in four groups and each of these headaches says something about the overall health of a person.
The 4 Types of Headaches:
1. Tension Headache
This kind of headache is the most frequent type of a headache. It’s manifested as a continuous pressure in the head or ache, and it is most intense in the temples and in the back of the neck and head. Also, one of the symptoms is a burning pain in the ears. Tension Headache is not as painful as a migraine, so if this is the kind of headache you have, you won’t be experiencing vomiting and nausea. This type of a headache occurs as a result of scalp muscles and neck muscles contraction, which on the other hand is a natural response f the body to high levels of stress.
Treatment: the way to relieve the symptoms of tension headache is by drinking ginger tea and by pouring some peppermint oil directly on the hairline. In this way you will cause a refreshing sensation which will relax the muscles located on your neck and head.
2. Migraine
More than 37 million people in the USA experience migraines every year. Migraines most commonly happen to people between 25 and 55 years. The symptoms are intense, recurring and severe pain on the left or right side of the head and just in 30% of the cases, the pain is felt on both sides. Other symptoms are visual problems, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, numbness, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch.
Treatment: to relive this type of headache you need to consume Vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium, because they have the ability to relieve the migraine symptoms. It is highly recommended to have aerobic physical activity because it is the most efficient exercise in the prevention of migraines.
3. Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches usually occur above one of the eyes and they happen more frequently to men than women. It appears all of a sudden and as a result the person having it feels almost unbearable pain concentrated on one side of the face. Other symptoms of cluster headaches are runny nose, nasal congestion, and watery eyes.
Treatment: Apply a small quantity of capsaicin cream topically in the nostril on the side where you feel pain and this will stop the nerve pain signals.
4. Sinus Headache
Sinus Headache is a result of an infection. Most of the times, it occurs together with a fever and strong pressure around the forehead, cheeks and eyes.
Treatment: when you have sinus headache, it is most important to increase the intake of fluids in order to prevent dehydration. It is best to drink lukewarm water, because it makes the sinuses more opened and ease inflammation. Also, you need to consume more vitamin C due to its antioxidants that will help the body fight the infections. To increase the levels of vitamin C, drink lemon green tea and eat citrus fruits.