Do You Suffer From One of These Three Common Types of Migraines – Headaches?

What are the three most common types of head pain?

1. Tension
2. Migraine
3. Cluster

1. What is tension-type headache/migraine?

Every year, more than 90% of people in the United States experience some type of headache. The most common type of headache is a tension-type headache. Almost 70% of the population have them at least once in their life.

Tension-type headaches are typically caused by tense muscles, but this is not true in all cases.

A person who suffers from tension-type headaches describes the pain as being felt on both sides of the head. It is a pressing, aching, squeezing, or a tight feeling. Although it can occur anywhere in the head, it’s usually experienced in the forehead, in the temples, the top of the head, the back of the head, or as a band around the head.

Typically a tension-type headache does not throb or pound. The ache or pain is usually mild or moderate in intensity and does not interfere with normal activities.

In contrast to migraine, physical activity or exertion does not aggravate the pain. Although tension-type headache sufferers may be sensitive to light or sound, these headaches are rarely associated with nausea or vomiting.

2. What is migraine headache?

Migraine headache pain occur for a variety of reasons in a variety of forms. Migraine headache is a type of headache that may occur 1 to 4 times per month in “episodes,” and affects more women than men. The tendency toward migraine headache is inherited. It appears to “run in families”.

Migraine headache is often one sided but can be experienced on both sides of the head. A migraine sufferer may describe the pain as throbbing in character, but it can also be steady and non-throbbing.

According to a migraine center, sufferers must experience at least two of the following symptoms:

• Moderate or severe pain
• One-sided headache
• Throbbing, pulsating pain
• Pain that worsens with mild physical activity

They must also experience at least one of these:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to both light and sound

Here are a few other effects often associated with migraine headaches:

• Poor appetite
• Tearing eyes
• Diarrhea
• Stuffed nose
• Runny nose
• Visual disturbance
• Speech problems
• Increased frequency of urination Dizziness
• Sleep problems
• Cold hands and feet
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Neck pain
• Yawning
• Temporarily elevated blood pressure

Some migraine sufferers have a warning sign. About 15% of those with migraine have an aura, which is a set of symptoms that warn them before the head pain begins. Most auras are visual and last 20 to 30 minutes, but an aura can also be weakness, numbness, or speech problems.

Next time: Cluster Headache

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