Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else happening in your body. This means that if a condition triggers these headaches continuously, the headaches can become chronic symptoms. In most cases, handling the cause of the headache will also cure the headache itself.

Sinus/Allergy Headaches

Sinus headaches are caused by mucus build up in your sinus cavities and increasing pressure. An allergic reaction can sometimes cause this reaction. 

Generally, the pain from these headaches happens in the sinus areas on your forehead and around your cheekbones. Treatment consists of thinning out the mucus that builds, whether with nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, or antihistamines.

These headaches can be caused by a sinus infection, which can be treated by your doctor with prescribed antibiotics to clear the infection.

Hormone and Hypertension

Though these headaches may be secondary by nature, that doesn’t mean that the source isn’t from your own body. Fluctuations in our bodies’ natural systems can lead to headaches as well.

Women experience hormonal headaches due to fluctuations in estrogen levels. These headaches can occur before, during, or right after menses, as well as during ovulation. Menstruation, birth control pills, and pregnancy can all affect your estrogen levels, leading to hormonal headaches.

Another internal cause of headaches is hypertension or high blood pressure. This kind of headache signals an emergency due to it occurring when your blood pressure is dangerously high.

Usually occurring on both sides of your head and will feel worse with any activity and often feels pulsating. You may notice blurred vision, tingling or numbness, nosebleeds, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

Seek immediate medical attention if you feel you are experiencing a hypertension headache. They will generally go away soon after your blood pressure is under control and shouldn’t occur as long as your blood pressure stays managed.

Caffeine and Rebound Headaches

Some outside sources or stimulants cause headaches, or in some cases, it’s a lack of a source that causes a headache.

Caffeine headaches can be caused by having too much or too little caffeine compared to their regular use. It affects your brain’s blood flow, so when you give your brain a certain amount of the stimulant a day, it will adjust accordingly and expect it. Caffeine changes your brain chemistry, and withdrawal from it can trigger a headache.

Keeping your caffeine intake at a steady, reasonable level, or quitting it entirely, can prevent headaches.

Overuse of medication causes rebound headaches. Those who suffer from these headaches often take OTC medications, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and Naproxen, for more than 15 days out of the month. These headaches feel like a dull, tension-type headache and can cause more intense pain, similar to the pain experienced with a migraine.

Overuse of these OTC medications leads to more headaches rather than fewer. The only treatment for rebound headaches is to wean yourself off of the medication you have been taking. It may feel worse initially, but it should subside after a few days.

Generally, episodic headaches will go away within a couple of days. If you experience any headaches that last for more than two days, you should seek medical assistance.

As well as if you are experiencing headaches for more than 15 days out of the month for a few months, you may have a chronic condition. See your doctor to try and find out the cause, even if you can manage the pain. Headaches can be a symptom of a more severe condition and may require more than some OTC medications to treat.

If you are experiencing a headache that just won’t quit, drop by one of our 10 locations or click here to schedule a Telemedicine appointment. 

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Most Common Types of Primary Headaches

Primary headaches are when the headache you’re experiencing is the condition. Meaning the headache isn’t a symptom of something else you’re dealing with, like sickness or allergies.

These headaches can either be episodic, pain occurring occasionally and can last from half an hour to several hours, or chronic, meaning that they occur most days and can last for multiple days. People who experience chronic headaches will generally need plans to handle the pain so that they can go about their daily lives.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches give you a dull, aching sensation all over your head. Your shoulders, neck, forehead areas will be sore and tender. Typically, tension headaches are triggered by stress, with pain managed by OTC pain relief aids, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster Headaches feel like burning and piercing pains behind your eyes or an entire side of your face, accompanied by swelling, a flushed face, and sweating on the side affected by the headache. These can last for 15 minutes to 3 hours but can come and go a few times throughout the day.

Cluster Headaches can occur daily for months at a time. They occur more frequently in men and during the spring and fall.

While doctors aren’t sure what causes the cluster headaches, they can offer some effective ways to treat the symptoms, like oxygen therapy, sumatriptan, or local anesthetic to provide relief. 

Migraine

Migraines are a debilitating pain that pulses from deep within your head, severely limiting the ability to go about your day. Typically, these headaches cause a sensitivity to light and sound, and the throbbing pain can also lead you to experience nausea and vomiting.

Some people experience visual anomalies known as auras, causing you to see flashing or shimmering lights, angular lines, stars, or even blind spots. These auras can also be paired with a tingling sensation on your face or your arm or trouble speaking. Because of the similarity to a stroke’s symptoms, if these are new symptoms to you, seek immediate medical attention.

Known triggers for migraine headaches are sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, foods, hormones, and certain chemicals.

If you experience extreme headaches more than three days a month, headaches that are somewhat debilitating four days a month, or any headaches at least six days per month, talk to your doctor about a daily medication to prevent headaches.

If experiencing a headache that you would like medical attention for, Quick Care Med is a quick visit away. Visit one of our 10 locations local and get the attention you seek quickly and affordably or click here to schedule a Telemedicine visit.

The post Don’t Let Primary Headaches Get The Best Of You appeared first on Quick Med Care.