Having a headache? Most people have experienced some form of headache at some point in their lives. You might have had it many times. Minor pain in the head is something that you can ignore. But if the throbbing pain is becoming so intense that it is impairing your ability to go on with your daily tasks, you might consider seeking medical help.
You are experiencing a headache if you are feeling pain or discomfort in the head, the scalp, or neck.
There are also many types of headaches. Some common ones are the following:
Migraine. Migraines are caused by sudden changes in the brain’s nerve cell activity and blood flow. It is characterized by pulsing pain on one side of the head. A person who is experiencing migraines also has nausea and vomiting. Other accompanying symptoms are extreme sensitivity to light and seeing auras, shapes, or bright light flashes.
Several situations can trigger a migraine. These include women’s hormonal changes; alcoholic or caffeine-rich drinks; light glares, strong smells, and other sensory stimuli; food; weather changes; and sleep changes.
Tension headaches. This type of problem is the most common one and occurs in three out of four adults. It is characterized by a mild to severe head pain that feels like it is squeezing your head.
Tension headaches are triggered by emotional stress, extreme tiredness, or is an accompanying symptom for an underlying problem in the jaw, neck, muscle, or joints. This is also commonly treated by over-the-counter pain killers or a long nap. If the pain persists or recurs, looking for a doctor is highly advisable.
Cluster headaches. A person suffering from this will usually feel a burning pain on one side of the head and around the eye. Sometimes, you can feel the blood pulsing in your head when the pain happens.
It may happen seasonally, but once it does, the headache can occur every day and lasts 15 minutes to three hours. The pain attack usually happens at night after you go to bed. That is why it is not surprising if you will wake up to a piercing cluster headache in the middle of your sleep. Changes in your biological clock may trigger this, although medical experts do not yet determine its exact cause. Alcohol, cigarette smoke, and strong smells may also prompt it.
Sinus headaches. Sinusitis can usually cause painful aches right around the forehead, the nose and eyes, upper teeth, and cheeks. Sinus headaches are characterized by painful pressure due to nasal congestion and discharge. A person suffering from this will experience sharp pain every time he or she stoops forward. This type is usually caused by sinus inflammation, colds, allergies, or upper respiratory tract infections.
What causes these bouts of pain? The brain tissue and the skull have no nerves to register aching sensations, so experts say that the tissues and blood vessels surrounding the brain, the neck, and head are the ones signaling the reaction. Sometimes, it is caused by an underlying sickness, like flu or toothaches. Sure, headaches are not something you usually need to worry too much about, but knowing when you should get checked by a doctor is something you must be aware of. Here are some warning signs that you can watch out for:
· Headaches that start after the age of 50 and comes back regularly;
· If it starts after you suffered a blow to the head;
· If it is unusually more painful than what you previously experience;
· If it aches more every time you cough or move;
· If the headache is accompanied by fever and stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, epistaxis or nosebleed, blurry vision, tingling or droopiness on the face, paralysis of one side of the body, slurred speech, seizures, red eyes, severe swelling in the head, animal bite wounds, and memory loss;
· If it recurs at least three times a week;
· If you need to take pain killers every day just to make your headaches go away;
· If it disables you from doing your daily routines or if it is interfering with your job, social life, or family.If you are living with constant head pain, maybe it is time that you consult a licensed health professional so you can break free from this crippling condition. You should be able to get a signal from your body if the pain you are feeling is no ordinary one. You do not need to report to the emergency room of a hospital immediately. For starters, you can visit a walk in clinic Brantford to talk to a physician if you need treatment and diagnosis for your headaches. Why suffer when you can get help? Why stay in pain when you can choose a better life sans the aching bouts. Visit the nearest walk-in clinic in your community today.