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Headaches are a very common form of pain. They can vary greatly in severity, frequency, location and type of pain, but all headaches can make it challenging to give your all at work and home.
Let’s dive into the types of headaches, their causes and treatment options, so you can help clear your head of pain and get back to living life on your terms.
TYPES OF HEADACHES AND CAUSES
Headaches happen when the nerve endings in different parts of your head and neck become irritated. There are many types of headaches — more than 150 — that occur for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common:
TYPES OF HEADACHES CHART
ADDITIONAL COMMON CAUSES OF HEADACHES
What causes headaches can range from environmental factors to genetics and beyond. Here are a few answers to common questions about causes of headaches:
CAN ALLERGIES CAUSE HEADACHES?
Yes, sinus headaches and migraines can be linked to allergies.
CAN HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CAUSE HEADACHES?
Research suggests that mild to moderate hypertension doesn’t cause headaches in most people, though secondary headaches can occur as a symptom of some blood pressure-related disorders.
CAN ANXIETY CAUSE HEADACHES?
Migraines and chronic daily headaches are common symptoms for people with anxiety disorders.
CAN NECK PAIN CAUSE A HEADACHE?
Neck pain and headaches can go hand in hand. Some conditions can start as neck pain and lead to a headache, and others begin as headaches and send pain down to the neck. Tension headaches and migraines are two types of headaches often associated with neck pain.
CAN CONSTIPATION CAUSE HEADACHES?
More research is needed to determine if constipation can trigger a headache, but people suffering from constipation may often also experience a headache. Some hypothesize that the stress of constipation can trigger a headache, and that straining when attempting a bowel movement can lead to head pain.
HOW TO FIND HEADACHE RELIEF
The first step to relieving your headache pain is to figure out what kind of headache you have. The time and pattern of attacks are important, so keep a diary of exactly when you get headaches, what might be triggering them and what helps relieve the pain. Share this information with your doctor to determine your type of headache and the treatment plan that will provide the best relief.
Here are some headache remedies you can try at home:
HOW TO HELP TREAT TENSION HEADACHES
Tension headaches are relatively common. Home remedies like hot or cold compresses and meditation can sometimes help people find relief.
Breathing exercises can also be helpful when you have a particularly bad headache. Here’s one to try:
In a comfortable place, close your eyes and picture relaxation entering your body and tension leaving it.
Take a normal breath, then a deep breath slowly through the nose, with your chest and lower belly rising as your lungs fill, abdomen expanding fully. Exhale through the mouth or nose.
Repeat for a few minutes.
HOW TO HELP TREAT TENSION HEADACHES
Tension headaches are relatively common. Home remedies like hot or cold compresses and meditation can sometimes help people find relief.
Breathing exercises can also be helpful when you have a particularly bad headache. Here’s one to try:
In a comfortable place, close your eyes and picture relaxation entering your body and tension leaving it.
Take a normal breath, then a deep breath slowly through the nose, with your chest and lower belly rising as your lungs fill, abdomen expanding fully. Exhale through the mouth or nose.
Repeat for a few minutes.
TIPS TO HELP TREAT MIGRAINE HEADACHES
Some people find relief from migraines by:
Resting in a cool, dark, quiet room
Applying a cold compress or heating pad to the forehead or neck
Massaging the scalp
Meditating
Practicing yoga
Gently applying pressure to the temples in a circular motion
TIPS TO HELP TREAT MIGRAINE HEADACHES
Some people find relief from migraines by:
Resting in a cool, dark, quiet room
Applying a cold compress or heating pad to the forehead or neck
Massaging the scalp
Meditating
Practicing yoga
Gently applying pressure to the temples in a circular motion
HOW TO HELP TREAT CLUSTER HEADACHES
While cluster headache relief often requires prescription medication, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic spinal manipulation can help manage symptoms.
HOW TO HELP TREAT CLUSTER HEADACHES
While cluster headache relief often requires prescription medication, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic spinal manipulation can help manage symptoms.
TIPS FOR PREVENTING HEADACHES
The best way to deal with headaches is to stop them from happening. The next time you speak to your doctor, ask what you can do to prevent headaches. These questions can help you start the discussion:
Will exercise or other lifestyle habits help?
Is there an underlying cause that can be treated?
Are there medications for preventing headaches?
Your doctor may tell you the best way to help prevent tension headache symptoms is to make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, such as:
Getting regular exercise
Staying hydrated
Prioritizing high-quality sleep
Trying massage therapy
TIPS FOR PREVENTING HEADACHES
The best way to deal with headaches is to stop them from happening. The next time you speak to your doctor, ask what you can do to prevent headaches. These questions can help you start the discussion:
Will exercise or other lifestyle habits help?
Is there an underlying cause that can be treated?
Are there medications for preventing headaches?
Your doctor may tell you the best way to help prevent tension headache symptoms is to make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, such as:
Getting regular exercise
Staying hydrated
Prioritizing high-quality sleep
Trying massage therapy
Powering through a headache is at best uncomfortable and at worst impossible. Developing a treatment plan with your doctor can help you show up all day, every day, without pain interfering. Talk to your doctor about any health concerns.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Headaches.
Peters GL. Migraine overview and summary of current and emerging treatment options. Am J Manag Care. 2019;25(2):S23-S34.
Cleveland Clinic. Tension-type headaches.
Cleveland Clinic. Migraine headaches.
Cleveland Clinic. Cluster headaches.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Headaches.
Assarzadegan F, Asadollahi M, Hesami O, Aryani O, Mansouri B, Beladi Moghadam N. Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension. Iran J Neurol. 2013;12(3):106-110.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Headaches.
Meyler Z, Veritas Health. What is causing my neck pain and headache?
Park MN, Choi MG, You SJ. The relationship between primary headache and constipation in children and adolescents. Korean J Pediatr. 2015;58(2):60-63. doi: 10.3345/kjp.2015.58.2.60.
McDermott A, Healthline. Can constipation cause a headache?
