Understanding Your Headache and What it Could Mean

Everyone experiences the occasional headache. They’re typically minor nuisances that are easily relieved with over-the-counter pain medication and time. While it’s easy to blow off a headache, your minor pain and discomfort could be trying to tell you something about your overall health and well-being. 

Types of Headaches

There are more than 150 types of headaches depending on the cause and symptoms. All headache types fall into two main categories: primary and secondary.

Primary Headaches

A primary headache is when the headache is the condition and not a symptom of another medical condition. Common primary headaches include:

• Cluster headaches: A cluster headache causes a burning or piercing pain behind the eye. It may also cause swelling or redness in the face. Cluster headaches come in a series of headaches, sometimes up to four a day and lasting anywhere form 15 minutes to three hours. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown 
• Migraines: A migraine is an intense headache deep within the head. It can last for a few hours or a few days and causes a sensitivity to light and sound. A few migraine triggers include poor sleep, dehydration, skipped meals, or hormone fluctuations. 
• Tension headaches: A tension headache usually triggers a full, aching sensation throughout your head and is most caused by stress. You might also experience tightness in your neck and shoulders. 

Secondary Headaches

A secondary headache is when the headache is a symptom of another medical condition. Common secondary headaches include:

• Head injury: Head injuries from trauma to the temple or a concussion may cause persistent headaches. 
• Infection: Some injections, such as encephalitis and meningitis may cause severe headaches.
• Sinus congestion: If your sinuses are congested, it can put pressure on the sinus, causing headaches. 
• Tumor: Persistent headaches that continue for multiple weeks may signify a tumor. 

Reducing Primary Headaches

You can reduce your risk of developing a primary headache by taking simple preventive measures. 

• Get plenty of quality sleep each night. 
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water throughout the day, especially in the summer months. 
• Try not to skip meals and eat a well-balanced diet filled with lean meats and fresh produce. 
• If you’re prone to stress, find healthy ways to manage your stress, such as meditation or exercise. 

If your headaches are recurring or are interfering with your ability to complete daily activities, talk to your doctor about preventing and treating your headaches. 

If you’re an older adult suffering from chronic headaches and you’re unable to care for yourself, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our professional caregivers can assist with daily tasks such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, cooking, personal grooming, and transportation. Our Mentor office serves those in Lake, Geauga, and Northeast Cuyahoga counties. If you’d like to learn more about our services, call 440.974.0869 or send us a message.