A pain that is experienced either in the head or in the upper region of the neck is often classified as a headache.
A common misconception is that there is only one kind of headache when in truth there are three different kinds. There are primary headaches, secondary headaches, and finally cranial neuralgias. There are other forms of headaches, such as facial pain, numbering upwards of one hundred and fifty different types but the three category system helps to simplify identification as well as treatment.
The Primary category of headaches includes migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, and less common headaches.
Migraines are generally considered the second most common type of headache. The key characteristics of migraines are a throbbing pain that can be mild or severe. The common lasting time for a migraine is roughly three to four hours per every attack. Unfortunately, the exact cause of migraines has yet to be discovered, although it is suspected that the cause is related to genetics and possibly even abnormal brain activity or neurovascular theory.
Tension headaches are also known by the name “chronic daily” or chronic non progressive head pains. The cause of these headaches is the sort of muscle contraction that can cause mild to moderate prolonged pains.
A cluster headache is characterized by an intense, burning, piercing throbbing pain that remains constant and affects the rear of an eye.
Structural factors in the head or the upper neck are what tend to cause secondary headaches. There are numerous potential causes of secondary headaches such as brain bleeding and brain tumors. Other possible causes range from diseases like meningitis to encephalitis.
Cranial neuralgia headaches are caused by head and upper neck nerve inflammation. This inflammation can cause a wide number of different kinds of headaches such as the facial headache.
In order to treat headaches the most common form of treatment is the use of over the counter, or OTC, pain killers such as ibuprofen or aspirin. If these forms of pain killer should prove ineffective, however, other methods and remedies can be used. For example massages, biofeedback, and stress management techniques are quite popular and effective treatment methods that are commonly used. If headache pain continues to persist even after use of medication and other remedies then it strongly recommended that you seek medical attention in order to find the root cause of the headaches.
It also needs to be said that some headaches and migraines can be caused by a TMJ disorder. In these cases then a TMJ dentist such as Dr. Goodfellow can diagnose whether a TMJ disorder is likely the cause of the headaches.
Click on Dr. Goodfellow – Toronto to learn more about Dr. Richard Goodfellow.
