Monday, November 24, 2008

Types Of Headaches

Types of Headaches Video

There are several types of headaches, and the medical community has established a definite set of categories for each.  The vast majority of headaches that patients suffer can be easily fit into the first category, or primary headache.  Primary headaches occur to almost everyone, and are not a serious or life threatening issue.  Primary headaches can occasionally become very painful, or can become a chronic problem.  Although this isn't life threatening, it can be a serious impediment to quality of life.  Fixing these kinds of primary headaches can be crucial to restoring enjoyment of daily life activities.  Correcting issues regarding primary headaches can usually be done with the use of over the counter medications.

Cluster headaches are a far more serious kind of headache that can seriously debilitate a patient if not treated.  Although not life threatening in itself, the associated is very serious and often debilitating.  Cluster headaches are known as such because of the groupings they occur in, and can be very hard to predict.  This means that treatment over the course of a lifetime is difficult, resulting in attacks that usually cannot be avoided.  A cluster headache usually prevents any daily function.  Pain typically focuses behind one or both eyes.  Patients can become overwhelmed with the pain associated with cluster headaches.  Treatment of this pain is very important and should be done as soon as possible.  Over the counter medications may do little to help under these circumstances.

Secondary headaches are the third and rarest form of headache types.  As the name implies, a secondary headache results from another issue.  Secondary headaches signify a problem in the brain that may or may not be life threatening.  In the most serious of cases, a secondary headache can be a sign of a brain tumor.  Poor blood flow and internal bleeding can also trigger secondary headaches.  Regular headaches should be a sign to see the doctor.

The vast majority of headaches fall into the primary categorization.  As many as 90% of primary headaches result from the "tension" variety of headache.  A tension headache occurs when the muscles over the skull contract tightly, putting a painful amount of pressure on the head.  The pain can typically be felt around the temples and around the eyes.  Relief can usually be found with a variety of over the counter medications.

Get more on headaches here Causes Of Migraine Headaches

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