Headache

What is a tension headache?

Tension headaches, the most common kind of headache, cause mild-to-moderate pain that’s usually focused on either your forehead or the back of your head. Although tension headaches are painful, they usually don’t cause other symptoms. Generally, they last for a few hours at a time.

Many different things can cause tension headaches. Some common triggers include caffeine, smoking, stress, eye strain, and exhaustion.

What is a migraine headache?

Migraines cause moderate-to-severe pain. Many migraine sufferers describe the pain as a stabbing or throbbing feeling that’s often on one side of the head. Other migraine symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Sound sensitivity

Some migraine sufferers have auras, in which a sensory disturbance occurs shortly before the headache begins. The cause of migraine isn’t certain at this time, but many patients have specific triggers like alcohol, caffeine, exhaustion, hormone surges, or strong odors.

What are cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches are the most painful kind of headaches. They typically cause extreme pain on one side of your head, usually behind your left or right eye. Other symptoms can include watery eyes, congestion, and a flushed face.

Cluster headaches usually last for hours. They occur daily for long periods of time, for weeks or possibly months. You may have long periods free of cluster headaches only for them to return again.

Cluster headaches usually don’t have obvious triggers, but may be connected to irregularities in your hypothalamus (your body’s biological clock).

What is the treatment for headaches?

After your Pinnacle Medical Group care provider diagnoses your headaches, they’ll help you determine possible triggers or causes. Often, some specific lifestyle changes can help. For example, avoiding certain trigger substances may help reduce tension or migraine headaches.

Your care provider may also suggest diet improvements, regular exercise, and stress reduction exercises to minimize the frequency of all types of headaches. Improved whole-body health can often make a big difference in headaches.

Depending on your symptoms and needs, medication could help. For example, preventive medication can reduce migraine and cluster headache frequency and duration. For severe migraines and cluster headaches, injectable medications like Imitrex® can relieve symptoms on an as-needed basis.

Tension headaches typically don’t require preventive medication. They may respond to over-the-counter medication, especially if you make lifestyle changes, too.

Your Pinnacle Medical Group care providers are here to help with headache pain, so book your appointment online or by phone now.