Headaches affect around 75% of the global population. They are a major cause of absenteeism in school and social activities. Moreover, headaches can be classified into 2 types: primary and secondary. So let’s take a look at this general physician doctor in Kolkata’s views on headaches.
Primary Headaches
Primary headaches are those that aren’t caused due to another problem.
Examples of primary headaches are:
- Cluster headaches
These are the most severe type of primary headaches. They come during springtime or fall and occur 1 to 8 times per day in a cluster period, lasting during a 2 week to 3-month period. The headaches may disappear completely and then recur later. Here is what a cluster headache feels like:
- Intense burning or stabbing sensation
- Located behind one of your eyes without changing sides
- Constant or throbbing.
- Migraine
These are the most common types of headaches. Symptoms of migraine include moderate to severe pain, nausea or vomiting, pain that may last up to 3 to 4 days, sensitivity to light, odours, noise and stomach upset or abdominal pain.
- New daily persistent headaches (NDPH)
These types of headaches come on suddenly and last more than 3 months. These occur in those people who have typically not had headaches before. NDPH pain is constant and persistent without easing up, located on both sides of the head, and unresponsive to medication.
- Tension headaches
These are the most common types of headaches. They tend to be consistent with throbbing, mild to moderate, bilateral, responsive to medication and probably get worse during routine activities such as bending over or walking upstairs.
Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches may be caused due to other medical conditions and are listed below:
- Tumor
- Trauma
- Sinus congestion
- Medication overuse
- Infection
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Head injury
- Disease of blood vessels in the brain
What causes Headaches?
Headaches are caused because of the interaction between the blood vessels, nerves and brain cells. Doctors still as yet do not know what causes a headache. They believe that an unknown mechanism triggers the muscle and blood vessels causing the nerves to send pain signals to the brain.
Conclusion
If the headache is associated with weakness, dizziness and loss of balance or falling, you need to consult with a doctor right away. Diagnosis and treatment of headaches need to be taken very seriously as sometimes they may be a symptom of another underlying issue.
Dr Amitabha Saha is a general physician who looks at the causes and treatment of various diseases like headaches, hypertension, kidney problems, diabetes and thyroid. Moreover, he is also a general physician doctor in Kolkata. You can consult him for any problem that you are facing with regards to headaches today!