Health Conditions

What are the symptoms?

Tension Headache

Almost 90% of tension headaches result from tightness in the scalp and neck. The pain of a tension headache is usually described as a constant pressure that feels like a vise or a tight band squeezing on both sides of the head. Pain may spread to the scalp, face, neck, and shoulders. Often the neck or shoulder muscles tighten, giving this type of headache the alternate name of muscle contraction headache. Not usually associated with additional symptoms, tension headaches are classified according to frequency. Chronic tension headaches occur daily or almost every day. Tension headaches that occur only a few times a year are called episodic tension headaches.

Migraine Headache

Migraine headaches are characterized as intense pounding pain, which may affect one or both sides of the head lasting anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. The two main forms of migraine are:

• Migraine with Aura (formerly called classic migraine) An aura is a neurological (meaning, related to the nervous system) disturbance experienced by about one-fourth to one-third of all individuals who have migraines. About 10% of all migraine sufferers will have an aura on a consistent basis. Usually consisting of visual changes that may include seeing colored or flashing lights or squiggly lines, an aura may also involve physical symptoms such as numbness or tingling sensations in the face, fingers, or toes. Some individuals may experience temporary or loss of vision when experiencing a pre-migraine aura. Typically, an aura begins approximately 10 to 30 minutes before the onset of the headache.
• Migraine without Aura (formerly called common migraine). Individuals with this type of migraine have little or no warning that a migraine is about to occur.

Other symptoms that may be associated with migraines include:

• Cold, clammy, or sweaty skin
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Depressed mood
• Fluid retention
• Muscle pain
• Food cravings
• Numbness or a sensation of pins and needles
• Inability to tolerate light, noise, or smells
• Light-headedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches generally start suddenly and they often affect only one side of the head. A single cluster headache is usually brief lasting from a few minutes to about 4 hours, then decreasing or disappearing. Occurring repeatedly at roughly the same times of day, however, cluster headaches typically extend over a period of 4 to 12 weeks, followed by a period of remission. This on and off sequence may last for a few months or it may occur chronically over many years. Other symptoms of a cluster headache may include nasal congestion, facial sweating, runny nose, drooping eyelids, and irritated, teary eyes. Men are 4 to 7 times more likely to suffer from cluster headaches than women.

Other Headaches

Organic Headache

An organic or secondary headache is the result of a brain tumor, a brain infection, bleeding into the brain, or other severe illness. Accounting for less than 5% of all headaches, organic headaches may occur as sudden, sharp, extremely severe pain. Symptoms that frequently accompany organic headaches may include confusion, seizures, sudden loss of balance, or difficulty with speech. Because organic headaches are indications of a more serious illness, individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should receive emergency medical care.

Sinus Headache

Sinus headache pain usually results from pressure exerted by swollen, inflamed tissue in sinus passages. Generally, due to infections, sinus headache pain is localized in the forehead, above the cheekbones, and behind the bridge of the nose. Pain, which may vary from dull aches to moderately intense pain, may extend to the teeth or jaw. Other symptoms of a sinus headache may include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Greenish or yellow nasal secretions
• Nasal congestion
• Swollen face

Rebound Headache

Taking headache medications on a regular basis may create a need to increase the dose for the medication to be effective. As the dose increases, the headache pain may get worse, and the dose may need to be increased even more. The medication (or doses of it that are no longer strong enough) actually may begin to cause a headache.

Hormonal Headache

Changes in estrogen levels due to menstrual periods may trigger headaches for some women. Usually beginning a few days before the start of a menstrual period, hormonal headaches may be associated with other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as bloating, breast tenderness, fatigue, irritability, and joint pain. Pregnancy, menopause, or oral contraceptive use may also cause hormonal fluctuations that may lead to headaches.