Headaches have always been part of people’s daily lives. But, somehow, headache has never been regarded as a subject of immense public health importance.
While they can sometimes be painful and debilitating, the majority can be treated with simple painkillers or with Migraine headache treatment and will go away within several hours. However, repeated attacks or certain types of headache could be a sign of something more serious.
#1 Caffeine Withdrawal
Caffeine is the most widely used behaviorally active drug in the world with 80–90% of adults report regular use of caffeine. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are the most common sources of caffeine,
When an individual doesn’t get their usual dose he/she can suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms, including headache, muscle pain, fatigue, drowsiness, dysphoric mood like symptoms. Headache is the most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal. It usually begins within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuing caffeine, peaking during the first two days, and may last for 7-9 days. High-dosing coffee drinkers are more likely to experience intense symptoms.
#2 Stroke
A stroke generally occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted or stops. When blood doesn’t reach the brain, the brain cells die, and permanent brain damage will occur.
In the early phases of a stroke, a patient may experience a headache. It may be accompanied by dizziness or vomiting.
#3 Head Trauma
When you have a head injury, headache will immediately follow you, but usually disappears after a few minutes or days. Sometimes headaches may persist for months or years after the injury. These long-term headaches are called post-traumatic or post-concussion headaches.
In Post-traumatic headaches, both sides of the head are affected. They are of slight to moderate intensity. However, bouts of more severe headache may occur and these may be similar to migraine with nausea and sensitivity to light and noise
#4 Brain Tumor
With brain tumours, headache is one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients. It is generally much more persistent than a migraine headache. The headache is usually steady but often worse in the morning.
It is sometimes associated with nausea or vomiting. Headache may worsen with coughing, exercise, or a change in body position and does not usually respond to the usual headache remedies and migraine headache treatment.
Related : How to Diagnose And Treat Migraine?
#5 Medication-Overuse Headache(MOH)
It is a chronic daily headache in which acute medications used at high-frequency cause transformation to headache occurring 15 or more days per month for 4 or more hours per day if left untreated.
Pain-relief medicine can set off this cycle but as soon as the effect of the drug goes off, the pain comes back, leading the patient to take more. Ultimately, the medicine stops working and may contribute to maintaining the disorder. MOH can occur with both OTC and prescription pain-relief medications.
The most common symptom is an initial worsening of the headache, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, restlessness, anxiety, and nervousness.
#6 Hangover
Hangover headaches or alcohol-induced headaches occurs the day after consuming alcohol. These may be caused by a direct toxic effect of alcohol and its byproducts. Alcohol may also trigger TTH and cluster headache. Hangover headache is usually experienced on both sides of the head, mainly in the front of the forehead. The headache is often pulsating or throbbing and usually worsens with physical activity.
#7 Hypertension
Hypertension is considered to exist when systolic blood pressure is above 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure is above 90 mm Hg. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease.
Many people with hypertension had complained of a headache. Some of the studies have shown that headache is somewhat more common in those who are hypertensive than among those who are not.
Conclusion
Work with your doctor to develop a program to prevent and treat headaches and migraines. And don’t fall into the trap of overusing medications; for some gents, rebound headaches are the biggest pain of all.
Also Read: What is trigeminal neuralgia and symptoms to diagnose it?
Virtual Headache Specialist 