Q: Describe different types of headache.

Definition: 

 “An unpleasing sharp pain or a throb feeling that may occur on any side

of head is termed as a headache.”

Types of headache:

 Primary

 Secondary

 Primary Headache:

True headache associated with head only, without any involvement of

an underlying disease. Such headache types can be disabling but are not

menacing. Brain is not apt to feel pain. Pain is actually accompanied by

inflammation of pain sensitive areas including blood vessels, nerves,

muscles etc.

Primary headaches include:

 Migraine

 Tension Headache

 Hypnic headache

 Cluster headache

 Migraine:

Most typical headache type usually occurs on either side of the head.It is

a throbbing pain sensation.

Duration:

Lasts from 2 to 72 hours

Treatment:

Muscle relaxants and exercises are effective treatment.

Causes:

Following are common factors that trigger migraines:

1. Hormonal changes in women regarding estrogen instability during

menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy etc.

2. Sensitivity to light or sound

3. Sleeping variations regarding missing sleep or excessive sleep

4. Refined foods and aged foods

5. Stress

6. Consumption of alcohol, wine or caffeine comprised drinks such as

coffee

 Tension Headache:

Second most common headache type cited as ‘hatband headache’

because of presence on forehead, temples and back of head such as a

tight hat on head.

Duration:

30mins to several hours and may last to even days.

Tension headache can exist along with migraine.

Treatment:

Physiotherapy and muscle relaxants are treatment.

Causes:

Following are factors causing tension headache:

1. Stress and anxiety

2. Lack of physical activity

3. Lack of diet

4. Dehydration

5. Tiredness

6. Bright light

7. Squinting

 Hypnic Headache:

Rare headache form exists in humans from 40 to 80yrs of

age.Its a throbbing pain and is bilateral (occurs on both sides).

Duration:

Occurs at night and lasts between 15 to 60mins. Pain usually appears at

the same schedule every night and tends to wake the person.

Treatment:

Medications including caffeine, flunarizine, lithium carbonate,

topiramate are used.

Causes:

1. Usually other headache types are referred to trigger hypnic

headaches

2. Overuse of certain medicines

3. Nighttime seizures

 Cluster Headache:

Complicated combination of headaches occur in form of a bunch or a

cluster.Happens on either side of head.

Duration:

It has a short span and lasts from 20mins to 2hours.

Symptoms:

 Intense pain behind or around one eye and is capable of scattering

around face, head and neck.

 Stuffy nose on either side

 Expanded pupil

 Tearing

 Droopy eyelid

 Lack of sleep

Causes:

1. Genetic defect in hypothalamus

2. Other genetic disorders

3. Alcohol Consumption

4. Nitroglycerin used to treat heart disease

5. Excessive smoking

6. Age factor 20-50yrs

 Secondary Headache:

A rare state that activates pain-sensitive areas around head and neck.

Secondary headaches are usually more complex than primary headaches

and act as a warning signal of a thorny condition such as :

 Aneurysm

 Brain and spine tumors

 Brain or neck injury

 Meningitis (viral or bacterial infection; may stimulate brain

inflammation)