According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 45 million Americans suffer from recurring headaches and 28 million of them suffer from migraines. Approximately 20% of children and adolescents also experienced a pretty severe headache.
What are the types of headaches?
- Tension-type headache. Also called chronic daily headache or headache chronic non-progressive, tension-type headache is a headache most widely experienced by both adults and adolescents. The headache is accompanied by tightening of the muscles of the head and neck is causing mild to moderate pain and intermittent nature all the time.
- Migraine. The exact cause of migraine is not known. The most famous theory is the existence of a variety of stimuli that cause an abnormal brain activity that affects the blood vessels in the brain. This theory is known as the neurovascular theory. Migraine headache is described as throbbing with moderate to severe intensity. Migraines can last for 4 hours to 3 days and usually occur 1-4 times per month. Migraines are also accompanied by symptoms such as excessive sensitivity to light, sound, or smell; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and abdominal pain. When a child has migraines, the child often looks pale, complained of dizziness, blurred vision, fever, abdominal pain, and symptoms such as those mentioned above.
- Headache mix. A combination of migraine-type headache. Both adults and children can experience this headache.
- Cluster headache. Primary headache is the most rare, one of its most severe. The headache is described as headache, burning or punctured needles that are permanent and severe intensity. Pain is so heavy that most people can not sit still and would seem agitated when under attack this head pain. Pain is mainly felt around the eyeball and not moving. Cluster headache occurs 1-3 times per day in a single cluster period, which can last for 2 weeks to 3 months. The headache may disappear completely (in remission) for months and years, but is still likely to recur.
- Sinus headache. Sinus headache is described as a persistent pain in the cheekbones, forehead or bridge of the nose. Pain usually increases with movement or stretching the head suddenly and is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as sinus mucus out of the nose, the ear feels full, fever, and facial swelling.
- Acute headache. Often found in children, headache arises only one suddenly and disappear in a short time. The most common cause in children and adolescents was upper respiratory tract infection.
- Hormonal headache. Headache in women is often associated with changes in hormone levels that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Hormonal changes due to chemicals, such as the contraceptive pill, can also trigger headaches in some women.
- Progressive chronic headache. The headache will be felt heavier and more frequent over time. Progressive chronic head pain can be caused by abnormalities in the brain or skull.
What causes headaches?
Pain in head pain comes from interacting signals in the brain and blood vessels and nerve fibers in the vicinity. At the time of the attack raised headache, nerve fibers that mensarafi blood vessels and muscles of the head are activated and send pain signals to the brain. However, not known for sure what causes these nerve fibers are activated.
Headache that appears suddenly (acute) usually occur because of other diseases, infections, colds, or fevers. Another situation that can cause headache such as sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), pharyngitis (sore throat), and otitis (inflammation of the ear).
In some cases, headache occurs due to the conflict in the head (head trauma) or medical conditions are more severe, though rare.
The most frequent cause of tension-type headache is the emotional stress related to family or work problems; alcohol consumption; late meal; changes in sleep patterns; drug abuse; and depression. Other causes eye fatigue and muscle stretching neck or back because of the wrong position.
Headache can also be triggered by environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke, perfume or other chemicals that sting, or allergies. Stress, pollution, noise, bright light, and weather changes can also trigger headaches in some people. Excessive physical activity may also trigger headache both in children and adults.
It is advisable to consult a doctor in order to know exactly what is causing the headache.
How to cope with a headache?
Do not hesitate to immediately contact a doctor if pain head. The doctor will ask the patient headache history (since when, how long, what kind of headache is felt, etc.) and perform a physical examination to determine the cause of the headache. In some cases, the doctor will also require additional investigations such as laboratory tests, X photos, and CT-scans as indicated.
Headache treatment depends on several factors, including the type and frequency of headache and the cause of the headache. Not all types of headaches require medicines. In addition to drugs, doctors may provide education, counseling, and therapy for stress management. Such therapies will be tailored to each patient's needs.
