Head

Headaches can be more complicated than most people realize. Different kinds can have their own of symptoms, happen for unique reasons, and need different treatments.

Headaches can result from a blow to the head or, rarely, a sign of a more serious medical problem - Stress.

Emotional stress and depression as well as alcohol use, skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, and taking too

much medication.

Other causes include neck or back strain due to poor posture.

Migraine headaches are often described as pounding, throbbing pain.

They can last from 4 hours to 3 days and usually happen one to four times a month. Along with the pain, people have other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, noise, or smells; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and upset stomach or belly pain. When a child has a migraine, they may look pale, feel dizzy, and have blurry vision, fever, and an upset stomach. A small number of children's migraines include digestive symptoms, like vomiting, that happen about once a month.

Cluster headaches are the most severe. You could have intense burning or piercing pain behind or around one eye. It can be throbbing or constant. The pain can be so bad that most people with cluster headaches can’t sit still and will often pace during an attack. On the side of the pain, the eyelid droops, the eye reddens, pupil gets smaller, or the eye makes tears. The nostril on that side runs or stuffs up.

Types of Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache among adults and teens. They cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over time. They usually have no other symptoms.

BACK