Know why Home Affairs queues, potty training a toddler and traffic are considered total headaches? Because regardless of the type of headache you’ve got, they all suck. Headaches impact daily activities for many women, causing them to avoid work, social engagements, or physical exertion. They’re also more common among women, peaking among women aged between 25 and 55. Plus, South African research finds that 39.2% of women in urban hospitals feel that migraines contribute to “severe psychological distress”.
But, other than being a pain in the… erm, brain, headaches can also indicate broader health problems, including psychological disorders, hypertension, or infections, especially when accompanied by other symptoms. Here, we’re running through the different types of headaches, with tips for treatment – and when to get professional help.
Types Of Headaches
There are actually two types of headaches, and whichever pain you have falls into either camp. There are primary and secondary headaches.
Primary headaches are standalone conditions where the headache itself is the main issue, caused by dysfunction or overactivity of pain-sensitive structures in the head without an underlying medical condition. They tend to have a stable pattern, long-standing history, normal physical exams and sometimes a family history.
Secondary headaches differ in that they are symptoms of an underlying condition or medical problem. These headaches occur due to another cause such as infections (sinusitis), high blood pressure (hypertension headache), medication effects (rebound headaches), trauma (post-traumatic headache), hormonal changes (hormone headaches like menstrual migraines), caffeine withdrawal, exertion, or spinal fluid leaks (spinal headaches). Secondary headaches often have features like sudden onset, changes in headache patterns, associated systemic symptoms (fever, seizures), or abnormal physical findings, making urgent evaluation important in many cases.
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Primary Headaches
Migraine
Feels like: a headache on one side of your head
Migraines can last anywhere from four to 72 hours and are typically located on one side of the head. Migraines can pulsate and cause sensitivity to light and sound, along with nausea. Before a migraine sets in, people can experience an aura, a type of warning sign that can include seeing things, like flashes of light, bright spots, blind spots, or shimmering/zigzag patterns.
Treatment: Migraines are caused by complex factors, including environmental and genetic. Managing migraines involves identifying and avoiding triggers where possible, alongside medical treatments.
Tension headache
Feels like: a band-like pain across the head
Described as pressure or tightness, like a band around the head, tension headaches are often linked to stress or neck muscle problems, usually mild to moderate, and can be episodic or chronic. It can also feel like a dull, non-throbbing pain.
Treatment: Prevention is better than cure here. For stress-induced headaches, try relaxation techniques and if things are serious, chat to your psychiatrist about antidepressants.
Cluster headache
Feels like: severe pain in a cluster
Categorised by severe, brief headaches occurring frequently around or behind one eye, cluster pains can come with redness, teary eyes, nasal congestion and drooping eyelid. It’s more common among men and often occurs in clusters over weeks or months.
Treatment: can include inhaled oxygen, corticosteroids and preventive medications.
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Hemicrania continua
Feels like: continuous pain on one side
This type of headache causes constant pain on one side of the head. Along with it, you might also feel nausea or light sensitivity, or a drooping eyelid or nasal congestion. It could last for at least three months and feels constantly dull.
Treatment: To reduce inflammation, your doc might prescribe indomethacin, an NSAID.
Ice pick headache
Feels like: short, stabbing pain
Picture that iconic stabbing scene in , only this time, it’s your head. They only last a few seconds but feel intense and can occur daily and without warning. They can also move to different parts of your head.
Treatment: For immediate relief, use a cold or warm compress to the head or nreck, find a cool, dark place to rest and drink water. If headaches are frequent, see a doc.
Secondary Headaches
Sinus headache
Feels like: pain in a cluster around your sinuses
Sinus headaches are often accompanied by nasal congestion and fever. It’s caused by nasal infection, which can block the sinus ducts.
Treatment: Since this type of headache is caused by a stuffy nose, nasal rinses, decongestants and antihistamines can help.
Hormonal headache
Feels like: a migraine starting a few days before your period
Before your period or during ovulation, hormonal fluctuations could bring about a headache that feels like a migraine. Good to know: using contraception and being pregnant can also cause hormonal headaches.
Treatment: Pain medication can help manage your symptoms.
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Caffeine withdrawal headache
Feels like: pulsating pain in both parts of the head
Quitting coffee cold turkey? Prepare for the withdrawal headache, triggered by a lack of caffeine.
Treatment: Keep going if you’re serious about beating the buzz. If you keep drinking caffeine, moderate the amounts to prevent withdrawal pain.
Exertion headache
Feels like: Short, sudden pain
Whether you lifted too heavily, ran too hard or coughed or sneezed too much, they can all cause a headache.
Treatment: Take pain meds, but experts recommend seeing a doc to zero in on the underlying cause.
Hypertension headache
Feels like: pulsating pain on both sides of the head
If this sounds like you, drop everything and get to the ER, stat. High blood pressure headaches signal an emergency and occur when your BP rises to dangerous levels. Accompanying symptoms include:
- changes in vision
- numbness or tingling
- nosebleeds
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
Treatment: Hypertension headaches require medical attention to lower the blood pressure.
Important: Don’t drive yourself to the emergency room for any head trauma. Call 112 from your cellphone or 10177 for an ambulance.
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Rebound headache
Feels like: a dull or intense migraine
If you pop aspirin like they’re breath mints, you may be contributing to your headaches. Overuse of pain meds can increase your headache frequency instead of treating them.
Treatment: Since pain meds are no longer effective, try prevention. See a doc for management strategies.
Post-traumatic headache
Feels like: a tension headache or a migraine
Post-trauma headaches follow head injury, so if you bumped your head, this might be it. It can also come with a side of dizziness, concentration difficulties, nervousness, personality changes and insomnia. Also, they can last for months after the head injury.
Treatment: Pain meds and anti-inflammatories
