Headaches are fundamentally described as primary headache and secondary headache. Headache can sometimes point towards a serious pathology this is in case of having any other signs like stiff neck, the worst headache that one has ever had, confusion, vomiting, rash, high fever, slurred speech, paralysis, or vision loss. This is described as a medical emergency and the patient has to be admitted immediately.

Types of Headaches

Headaches can be primary and secondary. A primary headache is described as primary because the underlying reason in most cases is unknown. You can suddenly develop a headache and this may follow two patterns. Headache can either be episodic which means that it can appear often or once in a while and last from half-hour to many hours whereas chronic headache is consistent and can last for days.

The main types of primary headaches are tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.

Tension Headache

This is when one feels a dull aching feeling around the head, this is not a throbbing pain and the area around the head, neck, and face may even be sensitive. These are mostly associated with when one is having stress. Get relief with over-the-counter medication like aspirin, and ibuprofen which can be obtained from a pharmacy near me. If it doesn’t respond to that you may have to consult your doctor.

Cluster Headache

Occur as severe pain and burning headache involving areas behind an eye and involve one side of the head. Flushing, facial redness, nasal congestion may also accompany. The duration of this can be around 15 minutes to three hours and can occur multiple times a day. The doctor may prescribe medication like sumatriptan, oxygen therapy.

Migraine

There are Throbbing pains that involve one side of the head and can be very disabling. These people are sensitive to light and sound. Sometimes one can present with nausea and vomiting. Usually gets better when the person gets good rest devoid of light and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Secondary Headache

Occurs due to underlying reason few of the examples are hormone headache, allergy or sinus headache, caffeine headache, exertion headache, rebound headache, hypertension headache, posttraumatic headache

Allergy or Sinus Headache

As the name suggests, occurs due to an allergy mainly involving the sinus area. Antihistamines and decongestants help.

Hormone Headache

During hormonal fluctuation mainly women have this, can be associated with taking birth control pill, menstruation, pregnancy. OTC medications can help relieve the pain.

Exertional Headache

After involving in intense physical activity like weightlifting, running one can resolves within minutes to hours of resting, and ibuprofen is useful.

Headaches usually disappear within 48 hours if it lasts longer or you feel any other changes you have to consult a doctor.