The pain management of headaches differs according to the type of headache you have. Some headaches may be cause for concern, as they may be the sign of a more serious illness, but most headaches can be dealt with using strategic pain management. Although there are fourteen named types of headaches, there are three most common types of headaches: tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines.
Tension headaches affect ninety percent of the population and are thought to be a reaction to stress. They occur more frequently in females than in males, and more frequently in the middle-aged person. With a tension headache, the neck and scalp muscles tighten. There is a dull, persistent ache in some part of the head, usually on either the temple or a feeling of tightness around the forehead. Tension headaches can be episodic, lasting thirty minutes to a week. They can also be considered chronic, in which case they are present over fifteen days per month. Lifestyle changes are sometimes an appropriate choice, and over-the-counter treatment is an effective remedy for this type of common headache, such as Tylenol, Advil or aspirin.
Cluster headaches are thought to be the least common but the most painful of the headaches. Men are more susceptible to the attacks than women, with African Americans being the most prone to cluster headaches. Individuals suffer one headache after another for a period of a few weeks to several months. The ache will occur on one side of the head most of the time. To treat cluster headaches, a doctor or hospital may use rapidly flowing oxygen, known as oxygen therapy, in conjunction with various medications. Some of these medications can be administered intravenously, as a nasal spray, as a shot or in pill form.
Migraines are well known for being extremely painful. Migraines affect one part of the head, usually behind the eye, and cause throbbing, severe sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and vomiting. Just before a migraine shows itself, a person may feel unusually excited or uncharacteristically depressed. He or she may have trouble sleeping through the night or may wake up fatigued. Some sufferers have an “aura,” in which they see flashes of light or a trail of light in their vision. Migraines are more common in women than in men and are usually diagnosed between the ages of five and thirty-five.
Headaches can be mildly irritating to crushingly debilitating. They can last for minutes, days, or months, and need proper treatment. As with any illness, being properly educated about the issue can help with pain management.