If you ask anyone what’s the most common physical discomfort they face, it will be headaches. Almost everybody experiences headaches at some point or another. Let’s understand them in more detail and learn to differentiate between the ones we need to be concerned about and the ones we don’t.
A headache is a pain in the face or head that can feel like pressure that’s constant, sharp, dull or throbbing. People experience different kinds of headaches which can vary based on their type, severity, pain, location and frequency.
They can interfere with one’s daily life and are one of the foremost reasons why someone misses school or work. While most headaches are harmless, some can be indications of severe health conditions.
What causes a headache? It results from signals interacting inside the brain, nerves and blood vessels. Multiple mechanisms activate specific nerves during a headache that affects blood vessels and muscles. The nerves, in turn, send pain signals to the brain, causing a headache.
Headaches are primarily of two types:
Primary headaches are caused by overactivity or dysfunction of pain-sensitive features in the head. They are not caused by any underlying medical condition. Primary headaches can be the result of some people’s genetic disposition. They are generally not dangerous, although can cause significant discomfort.
The most common examples of primary headaches include:
In most cases, primary headaches are triggered by lifestyle factors such as:
Secondary headaches are generally caused by an underlying medical condition. Hence, they are a symptom of a disease and hence should not be taken lightly. Some secondary headaches are not dangerous and resolve once the underlying condition is treated such as:
However, some secondary headaches can be dangerous such as:
An extremely painful headache that appears out of the blue, like a clap of thunder. This kind of headache reaches the most intense pain within one minute and lasts for at least five minutes. While in many cases these headaches are harmless, they can be an indication of:
These headaches are intense and occur when spinal fluid leaks out of the membrane that covers your spinal cord. This usually happens after a spinal tap. If left untreated, spinal headaches can lead to seizures.
Thunderclap headaches and spinal headaches should not be taken lightly. Contact a doctor immediately if you face a tearing headache out of the blue. Emergency care on time can be very helpful.
Are headaches hereditary? Some headaches can run in the family such as migraines. Usually, children who suffer from migraines often have one biological parent who experiences them. Parents having migraines increase the likelihood of children getting migraines by up to four times.
Headaches are often triggered by environmental factors such as:
It can be difficult, as a layman, to differentiate between a common headache and a headache that requires medical attention. Obtain medical attention if you experience any of these:
We often take headaches lightly. However, some headaches are more serious than others. If you’ve been having persistent headaches or get headaches often, it is a good idea to get it checked out.
There’s no harm in taking precautions. It can help you to avoid any major medical issues in the long term.
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