Common Causes and Relief for the Different Types of Headaches

Knowing what type of headache you are suffering from and what causes it is the most important step you take in helping to prevent or completely eliminate headache suffering. One of the most precise ways of identifying what triggers your headaches is to keep a log of when your headaches occur and what you had just done or eaten in the preceding for the last two hours.

Being exposed to certain chemicals, painting, smoking, or eating certain foods can bring on different types of headaches to people who are sensitive to those things. Physical factors such as menstruation, blood sugar level, and blood pressure can also cause severe headaches.

The three different types of recurring headaches are sinus, tension and vascular.

1. Sinus headaches.

This type of headache is brought about by allergies, hay fever, cold, dry weather or anything that affects the sinus cavity.
These headaches are characterized by pain that is seemingly behind the face, eyes, nose, forehead. Usually they are combined with congestion. Blowing your nose or even trying to breathe through the nose can only make the pain worse.
The sinus cavities are swelling, which results in pressure being applied to the nerves and tissues directly behind the face. The most common relief for sinus headaches is a decongestant. But for serious infections such as sinusitis, antibiotics from your family doctor may be required.

2. Tension headaches

They arise from stress, anxiety, and generally tense muscles. The pain appears to start at the base of the head and radiate upwards onto the scalp. It may hurt to touch the scalp directly.
Chronic tension headaches can result from poor posture, such as slouching in front of a desk.

Most sufferers turn to ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetominophen to relieve pain temporarily.

A more permanent remedy is to focus on relaxation, perhaps even massage or meditation to relieve stress and anxiety before the headaches start. A visit to the chiropractor can also help, by making sure the spine and surrounding muscles are in proper alignment so that no undue pressure is being applied.

3. Vascular headaches.

Perhaps this is the most painful type of headaches.
These affect the blood vessels in the brain by either over-expanding or contracting the vascular pathways in the brain, putting pressure on the surrounding nerves.

Headaches brought on by blood pressure and low blood sugar fall into this group, as well as migraines. Vascular headaches are commonly identified by sharp, stabbing pains and throbbing. Vision can be affected, with dots or bright flashes of light being seen before the headache come full-force.

Environmental factors such as noises, light, and even smells can make the headaches worse. These things can also result in fainting or vomiting.

Taking aspirin, which thins the blood, and drinking water to re-hydrate the body can somewhat relieve these headaches and shorten their duration. However, if you frequently suffer vascular headaches, you should see your doctor for more effective treatment.

If you suffer from these different types of headaches regularly, it is very important to keep a headache log so that you can identify and avoid headache triggers.

Your doctor can go over this log with you and suggest changes in diet or habit. You can be also prescribed drugs. The log will assist your doctor greatly.

Using this record of your headaches, with a description of the pain and factors that may have caused it, can empower you to take control and become headache free.