Headache is a constant, discomforting pain in the head region. Primarily, there are 4 main types –
- Migraine
- Tension
- Hypnic
- Cluster
Migraine
- It is the most common form .
- It usually has one-sided pain.
- The pain usually lasts for 2-72 hrs.
- It is often associated with nausea and vomiting.
- It has a sensitivity to light and sound.
Tension
- It is the second most common type .
- Also called a hatband headache because it is typically painful around the ball of the head, temporal, and forehead.
Treatment
- Relaxation therapy
- Simple Paracetamol
- Anti-inflammatory
Hypnic
- It occurs during rapid eye movement during sleep.
- It is a primary headache, seen in elderly people.
- It wakes people up from sleep.
Cluster
- It is usually short-lived between 20 minutes to 2 hours.
- It is consistently one-sided and is usually associated with symptoms like a stuffy nose on one side/an enlarged pupil.
Secondary
An underlying medical condition that causes secondary.
A few types are-
- Dehydration
- Sinus
- Spinal
- Thunderclap
If it doesn’t subside with simple medications, consult a doctor as soon as possible for the best advice.
Symptoms that require immediate care are-
- Sudden, new and severe
- Headache with fever/ stiff neck/ rash
- When it starts after an accident/ injury to head
- If there is any weakness/ diarrhea
- Any neurological symptoms with paralysis/ speech difficulty.
Mild headaches can be treated with
- Deep breathing exercises
- Relaxation techniques
- Heat/ cold pack application on head
- Head massage
- Rest
- Over-the-counter medications with paracetamol.
Dr. Laba Kumar Nayak