What are the different types of headaches?
Vascular Headaches
Produced by irritation and inflammation of the blood vessels of the brain caused by a variety of diseases (fevers, drugs, poisons, toxins, altered pH, nerve irritation, hormone imbalance).
Migraine Headaches
A neural-hormonal- vascular phenomenon of disabling proportions caused by a complex interaction between the nervous system, the hormonal system, and the affected vascular segment. Many times preceded by a prodrome or “warning signal” such as nausea, visual or speech disturbance, numbness, or dizziness.
Cluster Headaches
Called cluster headaches because the headaches come in groups. Pain generally lasts from 30-45 minutes, but can persist for several hours. Most sufferers experience one to four headaches a day during a cluster period.
Cervical Origin Headaches
Pain originates from the neck due to such things as subluxations, muscle spasm and nerve irritation.
Tension Headaches
Pain comes from irritated or inflamed soft tissues of the neck and head, primarily muscles, nerve endings and their connective tissues that can develop into trigger points (“knots”).
Organic Headaches
Include, sinus headache, hangover headache, allergy headache, caffeine withdrawal headache, pregnancy headaches, hypertension (high blood pressure) headaches, TMJ (jaw) dysfunction, reading headaches, hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) headaches. May also be due to tumors, brain aneurysm, hematoma, meningitis, brain abscess, etc.
Rebound Headaches
Due to the overuse of medications (exceeding label instructions or doctor’s advice). Precipitates a “rebound” into another headache. This is particularly true if your medication contains caffeine.