Headaches are More Complex Than They May Seem

Headaches are actually quite complicated and there's not always a simple answer when it comes to causality. That's why some people, despite seeking treatment, continue to suffer from chronic headaches. There are different types of headaches, different reasons why they happen, and different types of treatment. Obviously they are complex, because there are over 150 types.

The most common types of headaches include the following:

1. Migraine with pain: This pounding and throbbing pain can last for 3 to 4 hours or longer. They can also happen up to 4 times or more per month. A person becomes sensitive to light, might feel nauseous, lose their appetite, or become very sensitive to smells.  (There are multiple types of migraines.)
2. Tension headaches: This is the most common type of headache. They can cause mild to moderate pain and will go away over time.
3. Cluster headache: This is the most severe type of headache. They tend to happen in groups, hence the name. They can happen multiple times per day and last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours. The person might feel a piercing pain behind their eye with constant throbbing and pounding.
4. Sinus headaches: The person feels a throbbing in the cheeks, bridge of the nose, and forehead. The person may also have a runny nose, clogged ears, and a fever. The sinus cavities have become inflamed, causing the headache.
5. Chronic daily headaches: This type of headache can last 15 days or more. Sometimes they are short and sometimes they can last 4 or more hours.

There are other types of headaches that are less common, but which are still apt to cause disruption to someone’s day. Exercise can cause headaches because the muscles in the head and neck and surrounding area need more blood. This can cause a pulsing pain. Post-traumatic headaches can also occur up to 2 to 3 days after a head injury. Hemicrania continua is an ongoing headache that usually affects the same side of the face and head. Hormone headaches can occur as the hormones are shifting during menstruation or menopause.

Many migraine sufferers have become frustrated trying the various treatment options. However, there are some treatment options one might consider and may not have yet tried.

1. Cefaly: This is an electrical stimulation device approved by the FDA that is worn across the head like a headband. It can be worn once daily for twenty minutes.
2. Botox: About every 12 weeks, the person receives injections near the head and neck. In about two weeks, improvement should be noticed.
3. Mild anesthesia: SPG (sphenopalatine ganglion) is an FDA procedure that numbs the nerve cells behind the nose. The trigeminal nerve is linked to headaches and can be blocked.
4. Counseling: There are different approaches including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based therapy that focus on being aware of the body and accepting migraine pain.
5. CRGP Inhibitors: These are a new class of drugs that block the calcitonin gene-related peptide which causes migraine pain. This can be self-injected once per month.

The brain can become overwhelmed by different signals coming from the body, blood vessels, and nerves. Couple this with illness, stress, genetics, and environment, and one becomes at high risk for a headache. To this day, doctors still do not know what exactly causes a migraine, making treatment difficult. Doctors might suggest a CT or MRI scan.

Treatment depends on headache type, cause, and frequency of the headaches. There are, of course, over the counter and prescribed medications, and one might consider seeking help for stress management or even using electronic medical devices. Headaches cause trouble for many people and finding the solution for help can be frustrating. Be patient and over time you will find an answer and a way to keep the headaches at bay.

Resources:

https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(17)30932-4/fulltext

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4416971/

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Headache-Hope-Through-Research

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/understanding-migrainenew-daily-persistent-headache/

https://www.mayo.edu/research/departments-divisions/department-neurology/research/pain-and-headache