In the second part of this blog series, let’s take a look at four more headaches and how to treat them. By understanding the various types of headaches, we hope you can be better prepared to eliminate your pain. And if you need further treatment, we’re always a phone call away.
Sudden pain everywhere
Ouch! This one isn’t always pleasant. Thunderclap headaches might feel like a lightning strike inside your head, which is not a good thing. These are intense headaches that can last at least five minutes. You might not know why they are happening either. If you experience a cluster headache, it should send off alarms in your head. Contact your physician immediately or go to the emergency room. Thunderclap headaches can be caused by life-threatening conditions such as a brain aneurysm, stroke or a brain hemorrhage.
Pain behind your eyes
A cluster headache might make you feel like someone or something is poking you hard behind the eye. These headaches often affect men more than women and are associated with other symptoms, such as redness in the eye with the pain, tearing in that eye, nose running on that side or droopiness of the eyelid. You might even find that you are feeling agitated and want to get up and pace around the room. Unfortunately, people suffer from cluster headaches for years before receiving a diagnosis. Getting the right diagnosis is key because these headaches are treated differently than migraines. One way to find relief is with a cold compress.
Top of your head or face
While allergy headaches do involve the sinuses, they are seasonal and you will likely experience other symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. A proper diagnosis is important to correctly identify the problem. For headache relief, treatment might include avoiding allergy triggers while using over the counter prescription antihistamines and decongestants.
Any pain around your head
You will know if your head pain is triggered by something specific, such as exercise, if it happens during or immediately after the activity. Try some different remedies for headaches to find relief. One might be to stop the activity you are currently performing. Exertional headaches might stick around for a couple days, which is why it is important to seek care immediately. This type of headache can be severe, one-sided, pulsating, aching or even make you nauseous. It is rare, but you should visit your physician to be evaluated for an underlying reason to your pain.
Contact us at Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Center of Georgia to learn more about the different types of headaches and what to do to find relief.
