Each of us has experienced a headache at some point. Often, it seriously scares people, because by “googling”, you can find a number of fatal diseases with a similar symptom. However, in fact, although a headache is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon, in most cases it does not threaten any dangerous consequences and is not an indicator of health problems. In most cases, even by the type of pain, you can diagnose the causes yourself. As an example, let's look at the most common types of pain, some of which you have probably experienced yourself.
Most often, headaches do not pose any danger to health. Photo source: onclinic.ru
Contents
- 1 Dull, pressing pain
- 2 Migraine – the most mysterious type of pain
- 3 Cluster headaches (Harris's migraine neuralgia)
- 4 Caffeine headache
- 5 Dehydration headache
- 6 Thunderclap headaches – when to see a doctor
Dull, pressing pain
This pain feels like someone is squeezing your head with a tight hoop. It is the most common, so when it comes to headaches, it is the one that is most often imagined. It can occur under a variety of circumstances – lack of sleep, stress, extreme fatigue, and even just holding your head in the same position for a long time.
Previously, it was believed that this pain occurs due to muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and head. Therefore, it was also called “tension pain”. However, other versions have recently emerged. For example, according to one of them, the pain occurs due to an increase in the amount of chemicals in the brain that activate pain pathways. But its exact cause is still unknown. It is quite possible that each version is correct, since there may be several causes of pain.
Dull, pressing pain is the most common. Photo source: mastodynon.com
As a rule, this pain goes away on its own and does not pose a health risk. However, as with any other pain, if it is repeated often and bothers you a lot, you should seek medical help.
Migraine – the most mysterious type of pain
This type of pain can be called the most mysterious. Moreover, the very concept of “migraine” is a primary condition, not a type of headache. Moreover, migraine is not necessarily accompanied by a headache. Its symptom can simply be a periodic impairment of vision, sensitivity or speech.
If migraine is accompanied by a headache, it can be quite intense. It can be described as pulsating, localized in one part of the head and lasting for several hours. Less often, attacks are long and last for several days.
About 10% of the world's population suffers from migraines. Photo source: koreatrade.ru
According to some data, about 10% of the world's population suffers from migraine, that is, every tenth person, which is a lot. But scientists cannot yet name the exact cause of this condition. According to one version, migraine occurs due to brain abnormalities. Scientists have also discovered that migraine can protect the pancreas and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
However, the triggers that cause migraines are well known – these are changes in the weather, lack of sleep, certain foods or, for example, overwork. It must be said that migraine is not an age-related disease, so even very young people can suffer from it.
Cluster pains (Harris's migraine neuralgia)
Migraine pain is much less common than the types of pain described above, but this is offset by the strength of the symptoms. They are characterized by severe and sudden pain that occurs on one side of the head. Often the pain is concentrated around the eye. Sometimes attacks are accompanied by swelling or drooping of the eyelid.
Cluster headaches are concentrated near one of the eyes. Photo source: dzen.ru
The pain occurs in a series of attacks that occur several times a day. An attack can last from 15 minutes to several hours. It can last for weeks or even months. Then it suddenly goes away and may not appear for months. The pain is so severe that there are even known cases of suicide. People who have experienced cluster headaches say that it is similar to piercing the eye with a hot needle. Therefore, it can safely be classified as one of the most severe pains in the human body.
It is believed that the cause of the pain is associated with the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in three specific parts of the brain. The condition itself with cluster headaches is dangerous for a person.
Headaches due to caffeine
The relationship between caffeine and headaches is rather ambiguous. On the one hand, caffeine can eliminate headaches, and on the other hand, it can cause them. The fact is that caffeine can affect the blood vessels in the brain. The pain-relieving effect is associated with the narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain, which reduces the pressure on the nerves that send pain signals to the brain.
Caffeine can both eliminate a headache and cause it. Photo source: turka.life
However, if a person is used to consuming caffeine, but suddenly stops doing so, a headache may occur. This is due to a sharp expansion of blood vessels. In fact, a person experiences withdrawal syndrome. In this case, a dull, pressing pain occurs, sometimes throbbing.
Headaches due to dehydration
People most often experience headaches due to dehydration when they have a hangover. In addition, studies have shown that dehydration can worsen headaches caused by other reasons.
According to one theory, headaches due to dehydration are related to the meninges, which are the membrane layers that cover the brain. These layers have pain receptors. The movement of fluid from the brain due to dehydration leads to the activation of these pain receptors.
Thunderstorm headaches are the most dangerous. Photo source: delfi.lt
Thunderstorm headaches – when you need to see a doctor
Thunderstorm, or thunderclap headaches are the most dangerous. They occur suddenly and are extremely painful. An even more alarming symptom is thunderclap headaches, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and an altered mental state.
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As a rule, thunderclap headaches reach their maximum intensity within one minute. They can last for different periods of time, depending on the causes. This pain can be caused by life-threatening changes in the brain, such as a ruptured blood vessel, blood clots, or infection, so if you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.