Headache, Tension, Migraine, Cluster, Sinus
Simply put, a headache is pain in your head. However, a headache can be a sign of a more serious condition and should not be ignored if it is extremely intense, lasts for many days or begins after a hit to the head.
Many people suffer from what is referred to as a tension headache. This type of headache can occur due to tightness in muscles of your neck or shoulders and also those that move your jaw or your scalp. You may experience this if you are under stress, or feeling depressed or anxious. Lifestyle changes that can usually help tension headaches.
Migraine headaches are very severe headaches that may be debilitating and keep people bedridden for days at a time. Most people with a migraine are very sensitive to light and need to be in a dark room. Some people experience what is called a "prodrome" with their migraines. A prodrome is something that happens consistently just prior to the onset of the headache. It could be a certain smell, a flashing of light, a particular feeling, or any other sensation by that particular person. These types of headaches are more common in women than men.
Another type of headache is called a Cluster Headache. These headaches are very excruciating and begin quite suddenly usually in the front/side of the head, or near the eye. These headaches are more common in men than women. A person experiencing this type of headache is in severe pain and may thrash about not knowing what to do because the pain is so bad and nothing seems to help take it away.
Sinus headaches are very common among both men and women and can occur more frequently with the change of seasons, with allergies, or colds. These headaches may feel like someone is squeezing your head tightly and there is a lot of pressure. Touching the face on either side of the nose can be painful because these are the most common sinuses to be involved.
Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) practitioners can offer multiple options for treating the many different kinds of headaches.