Headaches are one of the most common health ailments people suffer with. Headaches can vary from low-level aches and pains to debilitating episodes, making people unable to move or get out of bed.
However, headaches can be caused by a multitude of different things and are our body’s reactions to needs not getting met or warning you there is something more serious at play.
It pays to know the different types of headaches you can get so you can self-medicate and get on with your day or visit a doctor to help you get relief and the correct treatments. Read on to find out more about the different reasons people get headaches.
Dehydration
The pain from a dehydration headache can vary. It is your body’s reaction to not being hydrated properly and can often be resolved by drinking more fluids and taking OTC medication. It might feel like you have a throbbing or dull ache in your head. It can be all over or in one place and present as sharp pain. You will likely also feel facial pain and pressure. If this sounds familiar, it could be worth upping your water intake and seeing if it resolves your headaches.
Sinus Headache
Sinus headaches are often distinguished due to their localized pain and discomfort. You will tend to feel pain and pressure in one specific area in your head, and your face could be tender to touch. You might feel pressure building up in your ears or find wearing glasses painful if you are experiencing pain in the area. An issue with your sinuses can cause pain to radiate out around your face and head. Your doctor can help you to relieve headaches caused by sinus problems with medication and further treatment if required.
Migraine
A migraine is a severe headache, usually a throbbing pain in one area of the head that is relentlessly worse than usual headaches. Over 1.5 million women and half a million men suffer from chronic migraines in the US, and many require medical intervention and intensive treatment to help them alleviate symptoms. Sometimes, the pain can be accompanied by dizziness, loss of balance, light, auras around the eyes, and nausea, which will impact your ability to live as usual.
Caffeine Withdrawals
Caffeine causes the blood vessels in the brain to constrict. After reducing or stopping your caffeine intake, these blood vessels will expand and cause headaches. If you are a habitual coffee drinker and have missed your morning cup, or you’re trying to quit this habit, you may experience throbbing in the head, causing you to experience headache withdrawals. Luckily, this only lasts a few days, and once your body has gotten over the loss of caffeine, the headaches will dissipate.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are often described as one of the worst things you can experience, and they can be extremely hard to live with. Cluster headaches can last from 15 minutes to hours and cause symptoms such as reddening of the eye, a stuffy nose, and a drooping eyelid. The pain can be a sharp type around one eye or in one area of the head and appears regularly at the same time each day or in some parts of the year. It is unknown why cluster headaches occur, but it is thought to be linked to serotonin or histamine releases in the body.
You should consult your doctor if you experience persistent headaches affecting your lifestyle to help you get to the cause of them and find the appropriate treatments.
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