What are the Main Causes of Headaches, and How Do I Know My Headache is Serious or Not?

A headache is a very common condition that almost every person experiences at certain points in their lives. The most common symptom of headaches is constant and unusual pain in the face, especially in the head region.

There are a wide variety of headaches, of which tension headaches are the most common ones. While the majority of headaches are not dangerous, they can certainly be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Today, this article will give you a brief overview of headaches and discuss the most common causes. While digging further, you will also learn when you should worry about a headache. Please stay tuned until the end to learn more about it.

Let’s delve in!

Headache – What is it?

A headache is a typical pain in your face, especially in the head region, which is often constant. The pain can also be described as throbbing, sharp, or even dull. Please note that the headaches are very likely to differ according to severity, pain type, frequency, and location.

In fact, headaches are regarded as the most common form of pain. It is also the major reason that is mostly cited for missed days at work and even at school. You should note that most of the headaches are not dangerous. However, there are some which can truly be a sign of a more serious condition.

Causes of a Headache – What are They?

The pain promoted by a headache usually results from the signals that interact within the brain, blood vessels, and the surrounding nerves. Whenever you experience a headache, multiple mechanisms activate specific nerves that are present within your brain.

This typically affects the blood vessels and muscles which are present within your brain. Furthermore, these nerves send pain signals to your brain, thereby inflicting a headache.

Types of Headaches

You won’t probably believe it, but there are more than 150 kinds of headaches. However, they can be broadly categorised into two significant distinctions – Primary Headaches and Secondary Headaches.

● Primary Headaches

Certain dysfunctional or over-activity of the pain-sensitive features within your head promotes primary headaches. However, the primary headaches are not caused due to any underlying medical condition. Some of the most common primary headaches include:

• Migraine headaches
• Tension-type headaches
• New daily persistent headaches (NDPH)
• Cluster headaches

Please note that the majority of the primary headaches are triggered by lifestyle factors like:

• Poor sleeping posture
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Alteration in the sleep cycle
• Consumption of nicotine
• Skipped meals
• Sneezing and vigorously blowing your nose
• Excessive physical exertion, etc.

Remember that primary headaches are not really dangerous. However, they can be extremely painful and might also disrupt your daily activities.

● Secondary Headaches

Certain underlying medical conditions promote secondary headaches. Thus, they are considered a sign or symptoms of a particular medical condition. Some of the common types of secondary headaches that can be potentially life-threatening are:

• Thunderclap headaches
• Spinal headaches

Other secondary headaches which aren’t necessarily dangerous are:

• Sinus headaches
• Dehydration headache
• Medication overuse headaches

Please note that these headaches can be treated with certain over-the-counter medicines or bringing in lifestyle changes.

To Conclude

By now, you must know which headache you need to worry about. Also, if your headaches interfere with your daily functionalities or affect your mood, you must consult your doctor.

You can also consider penning down your feelings whenever you are experiencing a headache. Whenever you keep a journal for your headaches handy, it will be easier for you to address your problems. Thus, they will be able to make a proper diagnosis and provide you with the most appropriate treatment.

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