Headaches are defined as pain “in any region of the head.” The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges that they are normal; nearly everyone experiences some form of the throbbing, uncomfortable, and distracting pain of a headache once in a while. For the vast majority of people suffering from occasional headaches, effective treatment requires no expensive equipment, tests, or specialists. However, if your headaches are increasing in frequency or severity, or are interfering with your usual activities, contact your primary care doctor.
Effective management of headaches include awareness of the problem, correct diagnosis, avoidance of mismanagement, appropriate lifestyle modifications, and informed use of cost-effective pharmaceutical remedies.
Different Types of Headaches
A headache’s cause, duration, and pain intensity can vary according to the type of headache. There are more than 100 different kinds of headaches with varying symptoms. Primary headaches occur when the pain in your head is the condition. Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else that is going on in your body. Both types of headaches can also be described as episodic (occurring every so often or even just once in a while) or chronic (occurring most days out of the month and can last for days at a time).
Some of the most common types of headaches include:
Primary Headaches
- Tension headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Migraine headaches
Secondary Headaches
- Allergy or sinus headaches
- Hormone headaches
- Caffeine headaches
- Exertion headaches
- Hypertension headaches
- Rebound headaches
- Post-traumatic headaches
Your doctor will ask you questions in regards to the frequency, duration, pain intensity, and location of your headaches. We recommend keeping a journal to help determine potential trends.
What Your Headache Location Tells You
Once you determine which type of headache you have, depending on the type of headache, the pain can often be dealt with on your own. The headaches people usually get are tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches, all of which are generally self-treatable. It’s always advised to speak with your doctor to diagnose your headache type. A medical professional will help you find the issue, which will help determine the cause and treatment plan.
Where your head hurts isn’t a foolproof way to diagnose the cause, but the location of your headache can be a good starting point for figuring out the root of the problem.
Different types of headaches can show up in similar places. Determining what the pain feels like can help you narrow down which type of headache you are experiencing—and how to cure it.
Apart from the location of the pain, consider the type of pain as well. Some common pain terms used to describe headaches include: sharp, dull, “tightening” feeling, throbbing, searing, one-sided, and brief shocks.
Lastly, try to recognize any coexisting symptoms, such as nausea, changes in your vision or other senses, sensitivity to light and noise, a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, etc.
Sharing this information with your doctor will help diagnose which type of headache you’re experiencing. If your headache is sudden and very severe (i.e., can be described as the worst headache of your life), call 911 right away.
Headache Treatment Tips
Many headaches and migraines can be treated on your own. Episodic headaches are typically easy to treat with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief options. Chronic headaches or severe migraines are harder to treat and may require a combination of prescription-strength pain relievers and lifestyle changes to avoid or at least manage the pain. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments or management strategies based on the type of headaches you’ve been experiencing:
- OTC pain reliver for the occasional tension-type headache
- Yoga poses for migraines
- Diluted peppermint oil applied topically to the temples and forehead
- Resting in a quiet, dark room
- Hot or cold compresses to your head or neck
- Massage
- Small amounts of caffeine
- Prescription medications
Overusing OTC products can trigger what’s called “medication overuse headaches.” As headaches return, many migraine sufferers take more medicine. Over time, the medicine stops being helpful and starts to become harmful.
Headache Prevention Tips
The best way to cure a headache is to prevent a headache from happening in the first place. Once you know which type of headaches you experience most frequently, you’ll be able to prevent them from happening, or at least manage the headache pain more efficiently. Some common preventative headache treatments include:
- Get enough sleep
- Drink plenty of water
- Modify your diet
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid screens for long periods of time
- Reduce stress
- Reduce caffeine
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
Most headaches will go away within 48 hours. If they are disrupting your daily life or if you are experiencing any of the following, speak to your doctor about prevention and pain management options:
- Stiff neck
- Rash
- A severe, sudden headache
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Fevers over 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Paralysis in any part of your body
- Vision loss
- Headaches after a head injury or fall
- Headaches lasting two or more days
- Headaches that increase in intensity despite treatment
- Headaches 15 days out of the month over a period of three months
Headaches may not always be preventable, but your doctor can help you accurately diagnose the issue, find the cause, and manage the pain.