Headaches are perhaps the most disabling of physical ailments. When it is intense, it can even cause intolerance to light and sounds, leaving us “in bed”. Although they are all annoying, there are many types of headaches, and each one has its own characteristics.
If you suffer from a headache and you don’t know how to treat it, the first thing you should do is distinguish the cause. Among all the types of headaches, there are three that are the most common, and that you can identify according to the way they appear.
So if any of these types of headaches are yours, we’ll give you some ideas to improve the symptoms (although as always, we recommend you not stop consulting a doctor for any questions about your health).
Pain in the forehead and helmet, as if a tight band were squeezing the head
This form of headache is called tension headache. Although it is one of the most common types of headache, its exact causes are unknown. In any case, it has been shown that the great trigger of these headaches is stress.
The classic symptoms of this type of headache are:
- Mild, bothersome and continuous headache
- Sensation of tightness or pressure in the forehead or on the sides and back of the head
- Pain with palpation in the muscles of the scalp, neck, and shoulders
As the causes are unknown, but it is known that the trigger for its appearance is stress, experts recommend managing anxiety to prevent headaches. For this they advise:
- Relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation, and mindful breathing.
- Perform cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps manage stress.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle: sleep 8 hours. daily, drink water every day, have a healthy diet, etc.
Pain and stitches in one half of the face
This form of pain is classic migraines. Migraines are one of the most intense types of headaches and produce a throbbing or throbbing sensation in the head, usually on one side.
In some cases, migraines can also be recognized by the symptoms before they are triggered. These symptoms are known as “aura”, and some of them are: seeing flashing lights, having blind spots or feeling tingling in a part of the face, arm or leg.
Before the aura, even several days before the migraine, there may also be signs that one will be triggered: constipation, mood swings, cravings for certain foods, among others.
Although there is no conclusive data on the cause of migraine, many triggers are known, such as:
- Very salty or processed foods.
- Drinks such as alcohol, especially wine, and drinks with high doses of caffeine
- Stress
- Certain sensory stimuli, such as bright lights or the brightness of the sun. Also intense smells.
- Changes in the pattern of hours of sleep
- Changes in the environment.
- certain medications
To reduce migraines, you should consult a doctor, since treatments change according to each person. In any case, as preventive measures, you can adopt certain healthy habits such as:
- Have regular sleeping and eating patterns and respect them.
- Do regular aerobic exercise, which reduces tension (yes, in a very relaxed way, since too much intense exercise can cause the opposite effect).
- Manage stress, either with therapy or relaxation methods.
Pain in the forehead and especially around one eye
When pain is severe in or around one eye on the side of the head, it is most likely a cluster headache. Although in this type of headache the pain can be excruciating and radiate to other areas of the face, head and neck, fortunately it is not a serious problem.
Although the precise cause of this headache is also unknown, patterns suggest that abnormalities in the body’s biological clock (hypothalamus) play a role. There are also no clear triggers associated with this pain, although alcohol intake, smoking or sleep disturbances can increase the sensation of pain.
The onset of this headache is usually sudden, and it is common for a few weeks to repeat bouts of pain on a regular basis. After that time, the pain usually also suddenly disappears, and there may be no recurrence of flare-ups for many months.
The pain usually ends as suddenly as it began, with rapidly diminishing intensity. After the attacks, most people do not feel pain, but they are exhausted.
While these are the most common types of headaches, there are many others, so it wouldn’t hurt to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
See a doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
- Severe and abrupt headache like thunder
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness, or slurred speech
- Headache after a head injury, especially if the pain gets worse
- Chronic headache that worsens when you cough, strain, strain, or make a sudden movement
- New headache episodes if you are older than 50 years
Important: It should be clarified that The Bioguide does not give medical advice or prescribe the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical or mental problems without the advice of a doctor, either directly or indirectly. In the case of applying any information on this site for this purpose, La Bioguía does not assume responsibility for these acts. The site is intended only to provide information of a general nature to aid in the pursuit of personal growth and development.