There are several different types of headaches that people suffer from. There are at least 150 diagnostic headache categories that have been established. In order to treat your headaches, it is important to understand which type of headache you are suffering from. For example, if you are suffering from a dehydration headache, all the aspirin in the world will not decrease your pain. This article focuses on some of the most common types of headaches and how to differentiate them.
Although rare, headaches can be the result of other serious conditions such a tumor or a burst blood vessel. It is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional if your headaches persist for longer than a week. If there is a serious condition causing your headache, it is important to get to the cause of the problem as soon as possible. Time may be of the essence in preventing the headache from developing into serious complications.
By far the most common type of headaches are tension headaches. More than 75 percent of those who suffer from headaches are suffering from tension headaches. In order to understand if you are suffering from tension type headaches it is important to understand the characteristics associated with them.
Tension headaches usually involve a steady ache, rather than a throbbing one. They are often described as feeling a pressure, or tightening. They can last only a few minutes, or up to several days. They usually affect both sides of the head and do not worsen with physical activity. Being sensitive to light or noise may accompany them. Nausea is usually absent with tension headaches. They are often brought on by stress.
Another type of headaches are the cervicogenic headaches. These headaches originate from problems in the cervical spine or neck. The problem in the neck causes referred pain into the head. These headaches can be triggered with abnormal neck movement or from your head being in a sustained, awkward position. An example of this might be having your head turned for a prolonged period of time while painting a ceiling. There is often decreased range of motion of the neck. Cervicogenic headache sufferers may also experience radiating pain into the shoulder, or arm. This is because of the irritation of the nerves in the neck that control the shoulder and arm.
Migraine headaches are less common than tension headaches and typically last four to 72 hours. They are unilateral, meaning they usually affect only one side of the head. They are usually described as throbbing and are aggravated by physical activity. They may be associated with light sensitivity, noise, odors and may accompany vomiting and nausea. Loss of appetite and stomach upset are often included aswell. An Aura may occur before the headache begins. This may include a disturbance of vision or brightly colored, blinking lights that move across the field of vision. Approximately one out of five people with migraines will experience the aura with the migraine.
Since headaches are often caused by physical problems, the best approach is a physical solution. Chiropractic has shown to provide relief for those suffering from migraine, tension and cervicogenic headaches. This means that chiropractic can help the vast majority of people suffering with headaches. Research has shown these types of headaches to be correlated with problems of the spine. This may include the joints of the spine and the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints.
Chiropractors specialize in the diagnosis and correction of problems associated with the joints of the spine. Chiropractors perform specific treatments to help restore proper function and motion of the joints of the spine. These treatments also help to remove nerve irritation which is associated with headaches. Chiropractors can also prescribe therapies, exercises and stretches to help the muscles and ligaments around the joints.