Headaches

Most people have suffered from headaches at some point in their lives, and while they are a common occurrence among adults, some certain types of headaches can serve as warning signals to more serious medical problems. Knowing the different types of headaches, keeping track of how often you suffer from them, and if they change in severity or frequency can help you keep your doctor better informed so he or she can catch what might be an early symptom of another health issue.

Not all headaches, of course, are a warning of something else wrong with our bodies; headaches can be caused by a multitude of things, both internal and external. For instance, it is not uncommon to feel tension building up in your temples when you develop a head cold, and stress is definitely one of the leading causes of headaches. Prolonged exposure to poor lighting, reading a book or watching television too long, lack of sleep, or even dehydration can all contribute to pain in the neck, shoulders and head as well.

Unlike tension headaches, which are typically caused by common external stimuli, vascular headaches are caused by a restricted or swollen vessels in the head. A migraine is considered a vascular headache, and can be very painful. If you suffer from frequent migraines, be sure to talk to your physician about this, as it could be a secondary symptom of a more serious issue.

Other serious types of headaches include inflammatory headaches, which are caused by diseases of the spine or other joints and bones of the upper body, as well as traction headaches which are typically caused by a growth or tumor in the head, neck or spine region. These are both very serious issues and should be checked out as soon as possible by a trusted physician. Myogenic headaches are caused by tension or constriction of muscles in the neck, shoulders, back or base of the head, while Cervogenic headaches are caused by direct injury to the head or skull.

Sometimes, it’s not easy to know what type of headache you suffer from, so if the pain persists beyond a day or so, it’s worth your while to get a checkup and let your doctor know about the problem. While the chances are it’s just a common headache brought on by allergies, weather or stress, in the rare occasions of a more serious problem, waiting until the headache becomes chronic or severe is never a good idea. Finally, if you know what triggers your headaches, take steps to limit your exposure to irritants or environments that may cause one to start.