Are All Headaches The Same?

There are many classifications of headache, but all fit into three basic categories. The vast majority of headaches fall into the primary category. Primary headaches afflict millions every day, and are not a serious or life threatening issue. That said, primary headaches can be quite painful on some occasions, or can become a chronic problem.

Although this isn’t life threatening, it can be a serious impediment to quality of life. Fixing these Headache Types can be very important to the daily life and functioning of a patient. Correcting issues regarding primary headaches can usually be done with the use of over the counter medications.

Cluster headaches are a far more serious kind of headache that can seriously debilitate a patient if not treated. Although not life threatening in itself, the associated is very serious and often debilitating. Cluster headaches are so called because they occur in chronological groupings, and can be very hard to predict. This results in treatment that is difficult to apply, resulting in attacks that usually cannot be avoided.

A cluster headache usually prevents any daily function. Pain typically focuses behind one or both eyes. Patients can become overwhelmed with the pain associated with cluster headaches. Treatment of this pain is very important and should be done as soon as possible. Over the counter medications may do little to help under these circumstances.

Secondary headaches are far rarer, and signify an underlying issue. As the name implies, a secondary headache is actually a symptom of another problem. Secondary headaches signify a problem in the brain that may or may not be life threatening. In the most serious of cases, a secondary headache can be a sign of a brain tumor. There are dozens of other possible secondary headache causes. Regular headaches should be a sign to see the doctor.

The vast majority of Headache Types fall into the primary categorization. As many as 90% of primary headaches result from the “tension” variety of headache. A tension headache takes place when cranial muscles contract, putting a painful amount of pressure on the head. The pain can typically be felt around the temples and around the eyes. Relief can usually be found with a variety of over the counter medications.