How many headaches are there

People can experience up to eight attacks a day. These attacks tend to occur in daily clusters and can persist for weeks or months. They also tend to start at consistent times, often a couple of hours after falling asleep at night.

Any person experiencing these symptoms, which can sometimes resemble hay fever , should consult their doctor. The cause of cluster headaches is unclear, but they are more likely to occur in smokers. People should avoid alcohol during attack periods. Treatment aims to reduce the severity and frequency of the attacks.

Options include :. Deep-brain stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation also show promise in treating cluster headaches that do not respond to medication. These headaches are usually very short-lived but can sometimes last up to 2 days. They present as a throbbing pain throughout the head and are more common in those with a family history of migraine. Individuals experiencing cluster headaches for the first time should see speak with a doctor, as they could be a sign of something serious.

Treatment for exertional headaches includes using:. Sometimes, exertional headaches may result from cardiovascular problems. A hypnic headache is a rare condition that usually begins when people are in their 50s , but it can start sooner. A hypnic headache consists of mild-to-moderate throbbing pain, usually in both sides of the head. It can last for up to 3 hours, while other symptoms may include nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

People can experience several attacks each week. The cause of hypnic headaches is not clear, and there are no known triggers. Although hypnic headaches are harmless, an older adult who experiences any unusual headaches for the first time should seek medical advice. A doctor may wish to rule out migraine and cluster headaches. Treatment options for hypnic headaches include :. A medication-overuse headache MOH — sometimes known as a rebound headache — is the most common type of secondary headache.

A MOH features frequent or daily headaches with symptoms similar to those of tension headaches or migraine. A doctor may diagnose MOH if a person has a headache disorder and has also taken pain relief medication on at least 15 days in a month. A MOH can still occur despite taking these medications. However, a MOH mainly seems to develop in people taking painkillers specifically to treat a headache.

The only treatment for MOH is to stop taking the medication causing the headaches. However, anyone stopping medication should only do so under the supervision of a doctor. The doctor can help devise a plan and may prescribe alternative medicines to ease the withdrawal process.

A doctor may prescribe medication, such as antiemetics, to help relieve these symptoms to manage nausea and vomiting. The symptoms usually last for 2—10 days but can persist for up to 4 weeks. Sinus headaches occur with sinusitis — an inflammation of the sinuses. It usually results from an infection or an allergy. The symptoms consist of a dull, throbbing ache around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

The pain may worsen with movement or straining and can sometimes spread to the teeth and jaw. Other possible symptoms include :. Sinus headaches are quite rare. If there are no nasal symptoms, a headache of this nature is more likely to be a migraine attack. Sinusitis usually goes away within 2—3 weeks.

People should speak with a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a week or become severe. To diagnose the underlying cause of sinusitis, a doctor may refer an individual to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

In some cases, minor surgery may be necessary to drain the sinuses. Read some tips on how to treat a sinus infection. A high caffeine intake — more than milligrams mg , or around 4 cups of coffee per day — can sometimes lead to headaches. In people consuming more than mg of caffeine daily for over 2 weeks, withdrawal may result in migraine-like headaches. These typically develop 12—24 hours after stopping abruptly.

They peak at 20—51 hours and can last 2—9 days. The effects of caffeine vary from person to person, but reducing intake could decrease the risk of getting headaches.

Limiting caffeine consumption may help people who have chronic migraine. People with migraine headaches are often sensitive to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting also usually occur. Some migraine is preceded by visual disturbances. About one out of five people will experience these symptoms before the headache starts.

Known as an aura, it may cause you to see:. Auras can also include tingling on one side of your face or in one arm and trouble speaking. However, the symptoms of a stroke can also mimic a migraine, so if any of these symptoms are new to you, you should seek immediate medical attention. Migraine attacks might run in your family, or they can be associated with other nervous system conditions.

Women are three times more likely to develop migraine than men. People with post-traumatic stress disorder also have an increased risk for migraine.

Certain environmental factors , such as sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, some foods, hormone fluctuations, and exposure to chemicals are common migraine triggers. Triptans are drugs that decrease inflammation and change the flow of blood within your brain.

They come in the form of nasal sprays, pills, and injections. If you experience headaches that are debilitating more than three days a month, headaches that are somewhat debilitating four days a month, or any headaches at least six days per month, talk to your doctor about taking a daily medication to prevent your headaches. Research shows that preventative medications are significantly underused.

Only 3 to 13 percent of those with migraine take preventive medication, while up to 38 percent actually need it. Preventing migraine greatly improves quality of life and productivity. Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else that is going on in your body. If the trigger of your secondary headache is ongoing, it can become chronic. Treating the primary cause generally brings headache relief. Headaches sometimes happen as a result of an allergic reaction. The pain from these headaches is often focused in your sinus area and in the front of your head.

Migraine headaches are commonly misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. People who have chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis are susceptible to these kinds of headaches. Sinus headaches are treated by thinning out the mucus that builds up and causes sinus pressure.

A sinus headache can also be a symptom of a sinus infection. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection and relieve your headache and other symptoms.

Women commonly experience headaches that are linked to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, birth control pills, and pregnancy all affect your estrogen levels, which can cause a headache. Those headaches associated specifically with the menstrual cycle are also known as menstrual migraine. These can occur right before, during, or right after menses, as well as during ovulation. OTC pain relievers like naproxen Aleve or prescription medications like frovatripan Frova can work to control this pain.

Relaxation techniques, yoga , acupuncture , and eating a modified diet may help prevent migraine headaches. Caffeine affects blood flow to your brain. This may be because caffeine changes your brain chemistry, and withdrawal from it can trigger a headache.

Not everyone who cuts back on caffeine will experience a withdrawal headache. Keeping your caffeine intake at a steady, reasonable level — or quitting it entirely — can prevent these headaches from happening.

Exertion headaches happen quickly after periods of intense physical activity. Weight lifting, running, and sexual intercourse are all common triggers for an exertion headache.

This type of headache usually resolves within a few minutes or several hours. Analgesics, such as aspirin and ibuprofen Advil , should ease your symptoms. If you develop exertion headaches, make sure to see your doctor. In some cases, they may be a sign of a serious underlying medication condition. High blood pressure can cause you to have a headache, and this kind of headache signals an emergency. This occurs when your blood pressure becomes dangerously high.

A hypertension headache will usually occur on both sides of your head and is typically worse with any activity. It often has a pulsating quality. Not all treatments work the same for everyone, and some come with side effects. Medical research is critical to improving the prevention, treatment, and eventual cure of these common types of headaches. Meridien Research is conducting migraine and cluster headache research studies. For more information or to see if you or someone you know may qualify to participate, please contact us today at Interested in participating in a study?

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