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.

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