How different types of headaches affect you and what you can do to ease them
Headaches are uncomfortable at best and debilitating at worst and most of us have had them before. Often, we can resolve them with mild pain killers, rest or food but when they are severe and frequent, they definitely need to be dealt with or they will negatively impact your quality of life.
According to Harvard Health, the causes of headaches are not fully understood yet, but it is thought the pain signals come from blood vessels in the head and/or neck as well as tissues and nerves in and around the brain (1). The scalp, sinuses, teeth as well as neck joints and muscles can also be behind headaches (1).
An interesting fact is that there are over 300 different types of headaches and below we will have a closer look at the most common ones:
Tension Headaches
About 75% of adults struggle with this form of headache and even though they occur rarely for most, some individuals can suffer from them up to four times per week, which can be debilitating as they not only cause physiological effects but also mental and social repercussions.
Typically tension headaches give a sensation of a dull/squeezing pain around your head. People often describe it as feeling like there is a tight band around their scalp.
Even though the cause for tension headaches is not known, we do know that stress is the most common trigger. There are a few things you can do to provide relief, such as using a heat pack or taking a hot shower, a short nap, relaxation techniques or over the counter pain killers. Studies show that manual therapy like massage and chiropractic adjustment are effective in reducing the pain and frequency of tension headaches (3).
Migraine
Even though migraines are less common than tension headaches, they are a lot more painful, and women are more likely to get them than men. It is believed that they are the result of blood flow and nerve cell activity changes in the brain (1).
Most migraine attacks are often set off by a trigger, which vary widely from person to person. Here are some of the most common ones:
Weather changes
Too much or too little sleep
Stress
Sensory triggers (i.e. loud noise, overpowering smells etc.)
Alcohol
Chocolate
Cheese
More or less caffeine than you are used to
MSG
Some people experience an aura (i.e. visual changes or tingling in the body) before they have a migraine attack, which is called a “classic migraine”. They typically occur on one side of the head and often start around the temple and eye and then travel to the back of the head. The attacks last up to a day and patients often experience nausea and or vomiting.
Sometimes these headaches can be controlled with painkillers when taken as soon as you feel a migraine attack coming on and patients learn to reduce the occurrence simply by avoiding triggers.
There is strong evidence that chiropractic care may be beneficial in managing migraine headaches (2). A case study showed a decrease in pain, more pain-free days, less use of medication and lower anxiety levels in migraine patients that were treated with chiropractic therapy.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are not very common but their symptoms are severe and affect men five times more than women (5). The headaches tend to only affect one side of the head, and come in clusters with one to eight attacks a day, lasting one to three months every one to two years. They often begin suddenly and generally last 30 to 60 minutes. Inhaled oxygen at 100% for 15 minutes at the start of an attack has been observed to be safe and effective in halting a cluster headache attack.
Research indicates that both migraine and cluster headaches can benefit from joint mobilisation and manipulation as well as spinal manipulation (4). Regular treatment may help in pain reduction and reduce the frequency of attacks.
Seek immediate medical attention if:
You are experiencing thunderclap headache (severe headache that peaks within 60 seconds) or if you experience loss of consciousness
Pain killers don’t have any effect, or you need to take medication on a daily basis
The headache is occurring due to a head injury
If you are experiencing blurred vision, double vision, altered speech or numbness in your arms or legs
If you are experiencing fever and/or vomiting
As always, if you have any questions or would like to talk to us if you’re suffering from headaches, please feel free to contact us any time to discuss.
Cheers,
Adam
References:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/headache-when-to-worry-what-to-do
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/185035