August 8, 2007
Different Types of Headaches
Pretty much everyone has had some sort of headache or another in their lifetime. Even children get headaches once in awhile. There are several different types of headaches, though, and different causes for each one.
Stress headaches are one of the most common types of headaches, and they're experienced by women more often than men. They are also referred to as tension headaches. Stress related headaches tend to occur most often at the back of the head or neck, and usually they're mild enough to not keep people from going about their everyday activities. Sometimes a stress headache will feel like a band of pressure around the top of the head.
Sinus headaches are caused by an infection or problem with the body's sinus system. Usually additional mucus is backed up, or extra germs or a virus is present which causes the swelling and inflammation of the sinus cavities. This increased mucus in the sinus cavity creates pressure which causes pain.
Migraine headaches are a chronic headache which has many related symptoms. Often, migraine headaches occur on just one side of the head at a time, and other symptoms such as seeing spots in front of the eyes, tingling sensations in the hands or feet, feeling nausea or becoming dizzy accompany migraine headaches.
Migraines are often severe enough to make the person need to lie down in a dark room. Most migraine sufferers are very sensitive to light, and they can be weak and generally not feeling well for up to 24 hours after the migraine has passed. Some migraines go away in as little as four hours, while some can remain for up to 72 hours at a time.
Allergy headaches are caused by an allergy to something, most commonly various plant pollens in the air during certain times of the year. These allergies cause the body to produce extra mucus, usually in the sinus cavity, and this mucus in turn creates a pressure which causes pain.
Other types of common headaches are caused when the body is sick with a virus, cold or the flu, or with an infection. It's not uncommon to get a headache when you have an ear or tooth infection, for instance.
There are some more severe reasons people get headaches too however. Some of these include tumors on the brain, blood clots, strokes and certain types of diseases such as Lyme disease.
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