Headache

A headache is a pain in any part of the head. A headache may feel like a sharp pain, a throbbing sensation, or a dull ache. The duration of headaches can range from less than an hour to several days.
While there are several hundred types of headaches, the four most common are sinus, tension, migraine, and cluster. There are two types of headaches: primary and secondary.

A. Primary headaches

Migraines and tension headaches are among the most common headaches that lead people to seek medical attention. An estimated 3 billion people suffer from headaches each year.

1.Tension headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Mild to moderate pressure or tightness is felt on both sides of the head with this headache. The patient complains that a tight band or rope is tied around their head. Sometimes the pain spreads to or from the neck. It is not throbbing in nature.
Exhaustion, stress, or neck or jaw disorders can trigger tension headaches.
They can be inconvenient and exhausting, but they rarely interfere with sleep. With a stress headache, most people can continue working. However, activities such as climbing stairs or bending over may worsen the headache.

2. Migraine
The pain of migraines is a pulsing sensation deep within the head. Migraines can last for days. Although a migraine can occur without warning, it is typically the result of a trigger. The triggers may vary from person to person. The most common triggers are stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, flickering lights, loud noises, red wine, chocolate, aged cheese, and caffeine changes. You may also experience nausea and vomiting along with a headache. Migraines are often lifelong conditions characterized by recurring attacks.

3. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are rare, affecting less than 1 percent of the trusted source of the population. This headache often occurs throughout the day. Usually, the pain is in one eye and causes tears and redness. Furthermore, the nose may run or become congested on the same side of the face, and the eyelid may droop.

4. New daily persistent headaches

5. Exertional headaches

B. Secondary headaches

An underlying medical condition causes secondary headaches. Examples of secondary headache causes include:

1. Sinus headaches

Sinus headaches usually come from sinusitis or sinus infection. This can cause congestion and inflammation in the sinuses, which are air-filled spaces within the skull. This type of headache is deep and persistent, often centered around the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, or the forehead.

2. Hormone headaches

3. Hypertension headaches

4. Post-traumatic headaches

5. Medication overuse headaches

Usually, tightening of the neck and head muscles causes headaches. It may occur in different types of headaches such as tension headaches and migraines.

There are various causes and triggers of different types of headaches:

• Tension headache

Excessive intake of alcohol, caffeine, or caffeine withdrawal can cause tension headaches. Fluctuating hormone levels in women, eye strain, or any head or neck injury can also cause the condition. Poor posture can also lead to tension headaches.

• Cluster headache

The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown. Genetic and environmental factors may play a role in cluster headaches. Factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, high altitudes, and excessive exertion can trigger cluster headaches.

• Migraine

Migraine refers to a neurological condition that causes headaches and other symptoms such as an aura. Some studies have linked migraines to serotonin and pathways that narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow, followed by widening arteries. However, the exact cause of migraines is unknown. Cold weather, processed foods, bright light, and sound can trigger migraines.

• Sinus headache

Sinusitis causes a sinus headache, which is an infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities. Allergies or changes in the weather can trigger the condition.

• Other causes

In addition to the above-mentioned causes, the following can also cause headaches:

• Head or brain injury
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Intracranial bleeding (bleeding inside the skull)
• Brain aneurysm
• Meningitis
• Stroke
• Temporal arteritis
• Trigeminal neuralgia

Lab tests are a complete analysis of your whole body. Blood tests are done:

• To diagnose any kind of symptoms.
• To find out how well our organs are working.
• It can monitor chronic health conditions and diseases and find out problems in their early stages.

The condition of headaches is not a disease in itself but is the result of many underlying pathologies. An evaluation of a headache usually involves taking your medical history and performing some basic tests such as:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Serum Electrolytes
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Cerebrospinal fluid study
• Sinus X-ray
• Eye Examination

Medication and other headache remedies can help prevent headaches from starting, but they aren’t the only option. You can reduce stress or avoid triggers by changing your lifestyle. If you know what causes your migraines, avoiding them and learning how to manage them can help you avoid or decrease the pain.

Treatment might include:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, and others), and aspirin are examples of over-the-counter drugs.
• Triptans, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) and zolmitriptan, are prescription drugs (Zomig) Metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Innopran, Inderal, others), amitriptyline, Divalproex
• (Depakote), topiramate (Qudexy XR, Trokendi XR Topamax), are examples of preventive drugs Rest in a dark, quiet space.
• Rest in a dark, quiet space.
• Hot or cold compresses to your head or neck
• Massage and small amounts of caffeine