Vascular Headache
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Introduction
Are the headaches dull and achy?
Are the headaches throbbing and severe?
Do the headaches strike at about the same time of day for a number of days?
Do you have headaches nearly every day?
Do you take pain medication more than two or three days a week?
Do the headaches follow a specific activity?
Nearly everyone has had a headache. The most common type of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are due to tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw. They are often related to stress, depression or anxiety. You are more likely to get tension headaches if you work too much, don't get enough sleep, miss meals or use alcohol.
Other common types of headaches include migraines, cluster headaches and sinus headaches. Most people can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax and taking pain relievers.
Are the headaches dull and achy?
Does the pain feel like a tight band around your head? Does your neck hurt, too? These characteristics may suggest a tension headache. A tension headache can last from 30 minutes to an entire week.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Nearly 90 percent of women and about 70 percent of men experience tension headaches at some point. Most tension headaches are easily treated with over-the-counter medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
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Are the headaches throbbing and severe?
Does the pain usually affect only one side of your head? Is the pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light or sound? Does the pain get worse with routine activity? These signs and symptoms often suggest a migraine. A migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours.
Migraines are more common in women. Prescription medications are often needed to treat migraines. When a migraine strikes, rest in a quiet, dark room if possible. Hot or cold compresses to your head or neck can be soothing. Massage and small amounts of caffeine may help, too.
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Do the headaches strike at about the same time of day for a number of days?
Is the pain sharp or severe? Does it affect only one side of your head? Is the pain accompanied by a teary eye and stuffed nose? These signs and symptoms describe a cluster headache. During a cluster period — which generally lasts from two to 12 weeks — you may experience one or more cluster headaches a day. A typical cluster headache lasts 45 to 90 minutes. Most people feel restless during a cluster headache, preferring to pace or rock rather than lie quietly in a dark room.
Cluster headaches are rare, affecting less than 1 percent of adults. Because the pain of a cluster headache strikes suddenly and may subside quickly, over-the-counter pain relievers aren't effective. Preventive medications are typically prescribed instead. During a cluster headache, injecting medication or inhaling 100 percent oxygen through a mask may help.
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Do you have headaches nearly every day?
Headaches that occur more than 15 days a month are considered chronic daily headaches. You may feel steady pain on one or both sides of your head. Sometimes the pain is described as a dull ache or a tight band of pressure around the head. The signs, symptoms and time frame vary depending on the specific type of chronic daily headache.
Chronic daily headaches affect an estimated 4 percent to 5 percent of adults. Treatment for any underlying diseases or conditions often stops chronic daily headaches. When no underlying diseases or conditions are present, treatment focuses on stopping the pain before it starts. Preventive medication may include antidepressants, beta blockers, muscle relaxants or other drugs.
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Do you take pain medication more than two or three days a week?
If you've been taking pain medication often, the headaches may be caused by medication overuse. These are known as rebound headaches. The pain may be dull, achy, throbbing or pounding. A rebound headache may awaken you early in the morning and continue throughout the day. The pain may be most severe at first, when the medication begins to wear off.
Anyone who has migraines, tension-type headaches or other chronic headaches is at risk of developing rebound headaches from the overuse of pain relievers. The only way to stop rebound headaches is to reduce or stop taking the medication that's causing the headaches.
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Do the headaches follow a specific activity?
Sometimes exercise, sex, bouts of coughing or other activities trigger headaches. An exercise-induced headache may last from five minutes to 48 hours. Most sex headaches last a few minutes, but others may linger for a few hours. Primary cough headaches typically last a few seconds to a few minutes.
These types of headaches are unusual. They're usually short-lived, making treatment unnecessary. When acute treatment is needed, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as aspirin and ibuprofen — may be effective. Your doctor may recommend various tests to help detect any underlying conditions.
Recognize emergency symptoms
Sometimes a headache signals a serious underlying condition. Seek emergency care if your headache:
- Is sudden and severe
- Accompanies a fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking
- Follows a head injury, fall or bump
- Gets worse despite rest and over-the-counter pain medication
Most headaches are nothing to worry about. But if headaches are disrupting your daily activities, work or personal life, it's time to take action. Headaches can't always be prevented, but your doctor can help you manage the signs and symptoms.
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Information obtained from National Institute of Health