What type of headache do you have?
Let’s take a look at the 4 Major Types.
We are going to outline the symptoms, potential triggers, and what percentage of the population suffers from each type.
1. Migraines
Migraines are characterized by an intense throbbing pain on one side of the head. Some side effects of a migraine are nausea, vomiting, numbness, partial loss of vision, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraines can last for up to three days, and the attacks usually plague their victims for the rest of their lives. Some triggers of migraines include stress and anxiety, sleep disruption, hormonal changes, dehydration, bright lights, or loud noises.
Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men are. Roughly 12% of the population suffers from migraines.
2. Tension headaches
Tension headaches are characterized by a dull pain on both sides of the head. Some symptoms of a tension headache are pressure behind the eyes, tenderness of the face, head, neck, or shoulders, and sensitivity to light and sound.
This type of headache can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Some triggers of tension headaches can include depression, anxiety, poor sleep, lack of exercise, or eye strain.
Women are twice as likely to suffer from tension headaches than men are. 30-80% of the population are subject to tension headaches.
3. Cervicogenic headaches
This type of headache starts at the base of your neck and extends up into your head. Essentially, one of the muscles connecting the base of the neck to the head is irritated, resulting in a headache. Although taking aspirin will relieve the pain for a little while, medicine does not give lasting relief from the pain.
Cervicogenic headaches are often caused by fatigue, poor posture, sitting for long periods of time, psychological stress, or carrying heavy items such as briefcases or luggage.
Women are four times as likely to suffer from cervicogenic headaches than men are. 15-20% of the population suffers from cervicogenic headaches.
4. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are identified by a severe and recurring pain to the head, and they usually attack without warning. Symptoms can include an intense pain behind the eyes, swollen eyelids, watering eyes, runny nose, or restlessness.
These headaches can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours. People can experience up to eight attacks in one day. These attacks often come a few hours after falling asleep.
Men are six times as likely to suffer from cluster headaches than women are. Only 0.5% of the population suffers from this type.
Here at Novera, we treat each of these four major headache types. No matter what kind of headache pain you suffer from, we are here to help.
