We’ve all been there at one point or another, especially as the years pass by – a persistent headache that we just can’t seem to shake no matter how hard we try. Nearly all of us will go through this at some point; some headaches may require medical attention, while others can be effectively self-treated.
When it’s happened to you, you may experience the feeling that nothing else is possible for you to focus on or pay any attention to. It can truly throw off everything else in your life.
The first step to solving any problem is to work backward from the solution. So it helps to have an informed sense of the range of headaches that may be bothering you. Consider that there are different categories of headaches to keep in mind:
- Common headaches include headaches in which the pain you feel in your head is the primary condition, as opposed to being triggered by an external factor like illness or allergies. These may be chronic or episodic, in which they last for as short as a few hours.
- Tension headaches – a condition in which you feel an aching sensation all over your head. This is often triggered by stress and can generally be treated by an over-the-counter pain reliever you can buy at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
- Cluster headaches are characterized by piercing and burning pain, often demonstrated through swelling, redness, and sweating. These tend to take place in a series and can last for anywhere up to hours. While the causes of these headaches are still somewhat up to debate, effective treatments can include oxygen therapy or other remedies personally ordered by a doctor or health professional.
- Allergy and sinus headaches – often stemming from allergic reactions, generally focused on your sinus area and in the front of your head.
- Caffeine headaches – as the name suggests, a product of having too much blood flow to your brain due to excessive amounts of caffeine. Keeping your caffeine consumption at reasonable levels can help address the potential risk of these pains.
Other common headaches include exertion, hypertension, and, of course, post-traumatic headaches that rear their head in the wake of an injury like a car accident. The important step is to consult with a medical professional on the best course of action and the symptoms creating your headache.
If you’re suffering from an injury, you don’t have to suffer alone. Reach out to our team of seasoned experts and professionals at Spinal Injury Center.