by Eileen Eva

Created on: October 07, 2010

“Oh! My head aches”. You must have heard this complain from most of your workmates, friends or family members. Almost everyone has complained of a headache. The National Headache Foundation (NHF) estimates that more than 28 million Americans experience migraines, more than 40 million have chronic or re-occurring headaches, and only 20% of children and teens suffer from headaches. Here are types of headaches starting with the commonest to the least common.

• Tension Headaches- Statistics show that, around 30 to 80% of American adults occasionally suffer from this type of headache with almost 3% suffering from chronic daily tension headaches. They are associated with pain, irritability, noise or light sensitivity, chronic fatigue, difficulty in falling asleep, sleeping or concentrating, and muscle aches. They are caused by stress, anxiety, hunger, fatigue, poor posture or insufficient rest.

• Migraines- NHF estimates that more women suffer from migraines than men. Causes of migraines are not clearly known. However, factors that trigger migraines include emotional stress, excess fatigue, caffeine, certain food intolerance, meal skipping, irregular sleep pattern, and menstrual periods. Symptoms for migraines are nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, light or noise sensitivity, and loss of appetite. A migraine lasts from 4 hours to 3 days or longer.

• Cluster headaches- These are more common in males. Causes of cluster headaches are not yet known. However, studies suggest that they occur when nerves responsible for pains or heat sensation in the brain is stimulated. The pain is intense and felt on one side, one eye and spreads to the temples, forehead, down to the nose, the cheeks and upper gum, and lasts for about 15 minutes or more.

• Sinus headaches- They occur when you have sinus inflammation caused by a tumor, allergy, or infection preventing outflow of mucus. This inflammation often ends in a pain that may be considered as a headache. Symptoms associated with sinus headaches include pain in the forehead, nose-bridge or cheekbones and is accompanied by nasal discharge, fever, swelling on the face as well as fullness in the ears.

• Acute headaches- These are more common in children. The symptoms come suddenly and subside within a short time. These headaches should not be dealt with at home and it is wise you take your little one to the pediatrician.

• Hormone headaches- These are common in women during their monthly periods, use of birth control pills, or pregnancy. Hormone headaches are also common in women undergoing menopause.

• Chronic progressive headaches- Statistics shows that this type of headache accounts for about 5% and 2% of headaches in adults and children respectively. Causes include brain or skull disorders, or illness.

Do not take any type of headache lightly. Just like other conditions, a headache should be addressed by a physician.

Sources:

Medicinenet.com- Headache 

National Headache Foundation- A Complete Guide to Headache, Headaches Types

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