Common Types Of Headeache

There are many reasons a person may experience a headache and each should be managed differently. Some causes are persistent and recurring while others may start suddenly and be very severe. As a headache can sometimes be a symptom of dangerous and urgent conditions, it is important for patients who experience headaches to be assessed by their doctors.

Some features of common types of headache include:

TENSION HEADACHE:

• Headache may persist for weeks and can be present throughout the day.
• Mild to moderate severity.
• Pressing or tightening character of pain.
• Not aggravated by routine physical activity.
• Often not responsive to simple analgesics.

MIGRAINE:

• Headache often occurring over a matter of hours.
• May be associated with nausea, vomiting and neurological signs (e.g. tingling or shimmering before the eyes etc)

MENINGITIS:

• The patient is generally ill.
• There is usually fever present.
• Neck stiffness may be present

SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE:

• This often causes a sudden onset, severe headache.
• Often localized but may be diffuse.
• May be associated with symptoms like vomiting and neck stiffness.