Headaches are a very common health issue, and almost every person experiences them at some point in life. Severe and constant headaches disrupt daily activities and affect the quality of life. Frequent headaches can be a symptom of any underlying health problem, so it is important to recognize the cause of the headache and take appropriate actions.
Mild or sometimes acute headaches can be triggered by stress, noise, weather, and certain foods like alcohol. To know your specific trigger cause, consider the following points.
Types of headaches
Depending upon the origin and type of brain, the International Headache Society classifies three types of headaches.
Primary headaches are the most common and they can be treated easily with over-the-counter medication. Primary headaches include tension headache, migraine, and cluster headache. These occasional headaches can be treated with medication like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and antidepressants.
These types of headaches are usually occasional and indicate an underlying medical problem. They can be caused by a stroke, dental issues, hypothyroidism, pregnancy or infection in the brain. These headaches can be life-threatening and need medical attention.
Neuropathic head pain is caused by inflammation in the nerves connecting the brain and the spinal cord. It may result from disorders of the nervous system. This type of headache may be chronic and prolonged. Antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can ease the pain, but better treatment for this can only be suggested by a doctor.
When to call a doctor?
The first step in treating a headache is to determine your type of headache. Most headaches cannot always be prevented and need medical attention to counter the symptoms. Seek emergency care, if you have any of the following symptoms.
Headache treatment can be recommended by your doctor if you are having trouble treating it yourself.
Share31 March 2021
Hello, my name is Catherine and this is my blog all about health and medical topics. I was inspired to start this blog by my husband who works in a hospital. He isn't a doctor, he works in a lab testing blood samples. However, he is extremely interested in medicine. When his grandma got sick, he quickly established what might be wrong and got her all the help she needed. Sometimes is the evening, we sit and read textbooks and talk about medicine. It sounds insane but we both really like it. I decided to start this blog to show off some of what I have learnt.