Types Of Headache

Types Of Headache

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Based on the etiology, Headache is classified in to primary and secondary headache. Depending on the frequency and area of occurrence they are again subdivided and each type calls for different medication and therapies.

Primary Headache:
There are two major types of primary headache, which include:
Vascular,
Myogenic (muscle tension),

Vascular Headaches: A highly common vascular headache is Migraine. Migraine is French in origin and taken from the Greek hemicrania, which means "only half the head."

Migraines are a frequent recurring headache, which are highly common in women and worsens before the onset of menstruation. Its onset is always gradual. Migraine is characterized by severe pain on, one or both sides of the head, which last for minimum 12 hours. This kind of headache is accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. This condition is further complicated by bright light (photophobia) and loud noises (phonophobia). Therefore, it is always advisable to seek a quiet and cool room.
Next to Migraine, a common vascular headache is “toxic” headache. This mostly occurs in high fever.
Other kind of vascular headaches are cluster headaches. Cluster headaches occur repeatedly every day at the same time for several weeks and then subside. It mainly occurs in the male population. The ratio between male and female varies from 4:1 to 20:1. They occur in cluster of several days to several weeks. After this the headaches may disappear for a few weeks months or even years if the suffer is fairly lucky.

Before reading further, please understand that the advice given in this essay should not be understood as professional opinion. If our report titled "Types Of Headache" is advantageous, thats wonderful, but you are well advised to seek qualified medical advice before taking any action based on the advice detailed in this report.


In chronic conditions, it might occur many times in a year. The pain is generally brief, slowly builds up and becomes explosive over as little as five minutes, and last one to three hours. More than one headache may occur in a single day. High blood pressure may also be a trigger for cluster headaches.
The pain with a cluster headache develops in the region of one eye and spreads to the rest of the face. The eye which is affected by this headache usually becomes red and wet and the nostril on the same side of the face often becomes runny and blocked. One of the main differences between a cluster and a migraine headache is the cluster sufferer usually feels better if they are moving about.

Unlike migraine sufferers, those with cluster headache often feel better if they keep moving during the headache.
Muscular/ Myogenic headache: This headache results from tightening or tensing of facial and neck muscles resulting in radiation of pain to the forehead. The most common type of muscular headache is Tension headache. It is characterized by tenderness in the muscles of the scalp, neck and shoulders. This kind of headache may occur on a daily basis. It is very easy to cure with medication and a tension free surrounding. Chronic tension headaches can lead to frustration and are often difficult to treat.
Secondary Headaches: Headaches caused by medical problems are known as secondary headaches.
The underlying condition can be due to a Stroke, any type of head injury, a virus, brain tumor or some type of metabolic disorder (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease). They can also be due to simple problems in the eyes, ears, neck, teeth, or sinuses. But what ever the problem is that is causing the headache, the underlying condition must be diagnosed and treated.
A blow to the may result in a relentless, unexpected, and incapacitating secondary headache which interferes with normal activities of daily living. The sufferer may also develop symptoms such as convulsions, disorientation, and dizziness, loss of consciousness, fever and pain in the eye or ear. Immediate medical intervention is required in such cases.
Other less common types of headaches include

* Ictal headaches (occur with seizure),
* Ice cream headache (occur while eating ice cream),
* Thunderclap headache (Occur when there is brain damage),
* Coital cephalalgia (sex headache),
* Sinus headache,
* Medication overuse headaches.




One final reminder, you should understand that the information given here should not be understood as medical opinion. If our report titled "Types Of Headache" has been of use, thats terrific, but you are well advised to seek qualified medical advice before taking any action based on the info listed here.