Ouch! That throbbing pain in your head is back—what now? People who suffer from frequent headaches often miss out on many daily activities because they just can’t handle the pain. We’ve all experienced a headache or few at some point in our lives, but are you familiar with the different types of headaches you might experience? To get a better understanding of the headache you are experiencing, it is important to know what kind of headache it is in order to get proper treatment.
Types of Headaches
Tension-Type Headaches
One type of headache is the tension type headache, which is the most common type among adults. A tension type headache may appear periodically or chronically, and can often last from 30 minutes to several days. Tension type headaches can be triggered by environmental or internal stress, and can be either known or unknown. If you suffer from tension type headaches, there are treatment options available to relieve your pain. Let’s take a closer look at treatment options available.
Cluster Headaches
A cluster headache refers to the type of headache that recurs over a period of time. You might experience cluster headaches one to three times a day during a period of time, which may last from two weeks to three months—that’s no good! People who suffer from cluster headaches often get them at the same time each year, such as the spring or fall. Cluster headaches can also be more intense than a migraine attack but fortunately do not last as long as a migraine headache. These headaches might even disappear completely, only to return again in months or years without any warning.
Migraines
If you have ever suffered from a migraine, you know how unbearable they can be. Migraines can be so painful that you are down for the count for multiple days, which can definitely interrupt your daily schedule. Dr. Bonnie Foster and her team of dental professionals work together to help you remain pain free every day. To help you avoid painful migraines, it is important to gain a better understanding of migraine triggers you need to avoid.
Headaches With an Aura
An aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced by someone with a migraine or headache before it begins. It often manifests as the perception of a strange light, an unpleasant smell or confusing thoughts or experiences. The pain alone is often enough to prevent you from carrying on with your daily activities. Whether you have a headache with or without an aura, there is a solution to your pain.
Headaches with auras account for less than 20% of all migraines. However, that is only little comfort when you are the one who falls victim to this painful headache. When an aura is present, it typically begins about 30 minutes or less before the headache begins. These early symptoms are referred to as prodrome and can last for 5 to 20 minutes—it can even continue after the headache subsides.
Contact Dr. Bonnie Foster for more information on tension-type headaches and available treatment options. Whether you choose over the counter medications, massages or lifestyle changes there is a solution for pain relief.