HEADACHES - TYPES

Primary Headaches

Tension Type Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common types of headaches experienced. The pain is described as being a mild to moderate constricting, pressing or tight pain on both sides of the head. It is generally not made worse by routine physical activity, such as walking, and there is usually no significant associated nausea or vomiting.

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Migraine Headaches

Migraines usually begin more frequently in the young, and are characterized by severe, throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head. There is usually associated nausea and vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. The pain of migraine is generally made better by resting in a darkened room.

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Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are the least common type of primary headaches and occur almost exclusively in males. They are usually extremely painful and have a pattern of occurring in “clusters”, usually at the same time of the day for several weeks.

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Secondary Headaches

Secondary headaches are the symptom of an underlying condition and it is thus important for them to be recognized and not dismissed. Conditions which may cause secondary headaches include infections of the brain and meninges (lining of the brain), strokes, tumours, bleeding in the brain from some form of trauma, sleep apnoea, very high blood pressure, acute glaucoma and rhino-sinusitis.

"RED FLAG" SYMPTOMS ... which suggest a Secondary Cause.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following:

• Sudden, severe headache in someone previously headache-free.
• If you experience the "worst headache in your life"
• Sudden, severe headache in someone with hypertension, heart disease or kidney disease.
• Severe headache following a head injury, especially, if associated with vomiting, blurred vision, muscle weakness or drowsiness.
• Any headache accompanied by seizures (fits).
• Headache accompanied by fever (unless there are obvious reasons for the fever, such as a flu)
• Any headache accompanied by a decline in level of consciousness

Click here to see causes of Secondary Headaches.

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