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It’s never fun when you have a headache. You may feel tired, achy or sensitive due to your condition. In fact, you can experience more than one type at separate times. As a result, you should narrow down which kind of headache you encounter most often so you can find a solution.
Here are five typical headaches, including their symptoms, solutions and more.
This kind occurs when your sinuses are inflamed. As a result, you feel a dull pain in your forehead, cheeks and nose. You experience symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes and other sinus-related conditions. You’re more likely to endure a sinus headache if you suffer from seasonal allergies. Sometimes a migraine can be misdiagnosed as a sinus headache.
You can relieve a sinus headache with an over-the-counter (OTC) mucus-thinning medication, like decongestants and sprays. It may indicate a sinus infection, so a doctor’s visit can help you obtain a prescription if necessary.
If you feel a prominent, incessant throb, you likely have a migraine headache. This condition often impairs your ability to perform everyday tasks because it’s so intense. It’s common to become sensitive to light and noise, as well. A migraine may also cause you to feel nauseous and dizzy.
You can experience migraines for different reasons. They’re sometimes passed down through genetics, but women can be more susceptible to them. You’re likely to endure migraines if you have a mental illness like post-traumatic stress disorder, too. In other cases, they can be triggered by dehydration, insomnia and hormones.
An OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen can help with an attack. A doctor will be able to provide a better solution if you experience more frequent migraines.
A tension headache affects your entire head. You may feel a dull ache or pain for a few hours, but it typically will not last for more than a day. It’s also normal to feel soreness around your forehead and neck. This condition is often caused by stress or technology overuse.
It’s essential to learn how to cope with your anxiety, so you don’t create an environment for a tension headache. A practice like meditation should limit negative emotions that lead to stress. It also helps to relax your face and shoulder muscles. A few ibuprofen should ease your symptoms.
A cluster headache features distinctly different symptoms than other types. You’ll feel a burning, searing sensation on one side of your head. They can last for three hours, and they usually happen sequentially. You may endure up to four headaches in a day, which is why they’re called cluster headaches.
A person who experiences a cluster headache often becomes red, sweaty or flushed. They can also feel congested or teary from their sinuses. It’s unknown what causes cluster headaches, but they’re more likely to happen to men than women. A physician will likely prescribe a particular therapy or medication to help you.
The word “chronic” means you endure a condition frequently. A headache that you experience 15 days or more monthly falls under that category. They can be several kinds, like tension and migraine. It’s also possible to have hemicrania continua or daily persistent types. There are various reasons people get headaches every day.
Your lifestyle or environment may lead to a situation that triggers consistent headaches. A hormonal influx or genetic predisposition can also be to blame. In any case, you should speak to a doctor if you notice recurring headaches. This way, you can find a proper solution.
There are many headache types you can experience. These examples are only a few, so it’s smart to speak with a physician if you notice other symptoms. In any case, you can use this information to understand your situation better and work to prevent and manage headaches as they come.
