The pressures of life can get everybody down. Some feel depressed and feel like a dark cloud follows them everywhere. Others experience physical discomforts like migraine and neck pain, manifestations of all the burden they carry at work and in the home.
Quite many also suffer from head pain that make them feel like their world is about to explode. To get rid of the pain, they reach for the nearest drug counter and buy the most potent pain killer available. The only problem is that these medicines do not necessarily guarantee pain relief.
The key to effectively stop headaches is to get the right information. First, we need to realize that there are many kinds of headaches. Twelve significant types of headaches can afflict us. Knowing about these headaches will help us find the right medicine or alternative pain relief.
12 Types of Headaches
1. Chronic Daily Headaches
When a headache hits you like a ton of bricks at least 15 times a month, it is a chronic daily headache. The day-to-day effects of the headache can be quite debilitating. There are many possible reasons why this happens. It could be due to a neck or head injury, pain reliever overuse, or it could even be symptoms of head tumor or cancer in extreme cases. The best option for chronic daily headaches is to consult a healthcare provider and have tests done to determine the cause of the health problem.
2. Brain Freeze Headaches
A so-called brain freeze headache happens when the brain reacts to a sudden change in temperature. When eaten, the ice cream’s cold temperature is sensed by the body as the cold dessert touches the mouth’s roof. The body reacts to the cold by increasing blood flow to the head. Inside the head are two arteries where the blood flows to the brain from the rest of the body. The dilation and contraction of these arteries are what the brain interprets as pain. The good thing is that this type of headache sets in fast, and it also goes away quickly.
3. Caffeine Headaches
Coffee contains caffeine, an ingredient that gives the beverage that “uplifting” effect. As a stimulant, coffee helps us to stay awake or remain alert. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful as a pain reliever. Many over-the-counter medicines for head pain contain caffeine. However, suddenly stopping the intake of coffee can also cause a headache. The caffeine makes the blood vessels in the head go narrow. We feel a headache when we stop taking coffee, and the blood vessels begin to expand.
4. Sinus Headaches
Bacteria or viruses may invade the sinuses via the nasal passages. When this happens, the virus and bacteria multiply in the sinuses and other parts of our nasal cavity. When the body’s immune system detects the virus or bacteria’s presence, it triggers inflammation in the sinuses. The inflammation creates pressure in the sinus cavity, which then causes a headache.
5. Menstrual Headaches
The natural menstrual cycle of a woman can also cause headaches. While it does not happen to all women, hormonal changes are a trigger for intense head pain. In some cases, the adverse effect includes both migraine and neck pain. The headache can come before or after the period. Some experience head pain two days before menstruation; for some, it comes about six days before the bloodshed starts or as part of their Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).
6. Rebound Headaches
Rebound headaches occur when we ingest or use a particular medication for a long time. It is often referred to as a headache due to medication overuse.
7. Teeth & Jaw-Related Headaches
Also called dental headaches, this type of head pain is due to a condition known as bruxism or teeth grinding. Sometimes, it comes with the temporomandibular joint disorder, a misalignment of the joints that connect the jaw to the skull.
8. Sleep Apnea-Related Headaches
Another headache that affects many people is related to sleep apnea. Also called the morning headache, it causes pain due to the lack of oxygen in the brain. A person who suffers from sleep apnea has moments during sleep when they stop breathing. The obstruction of breathing also reduces the amount of air in the person’s lungs.
9. Tension Headaches
Tension causes a lot of stress on the mind and emotions of a person. This also leads to headaches when it is not managed correctly. Fear, anxiety, and even poor posture can be triggers for migraine and neck pain. Worse, tension headaches can become chronic and make a person suffer for many years if it is not addressed decisively.
10. Common Migraines
The common migraine is the most prevalent condition among people who seek pain relief and medication for head pain. This ailment makes a person feel intense throbbing or pounding pain.
11. Classic Migraines
A migraine is referred to as classic when it has the typical migraine symptoms, plus what is called an aura. The aura refers to a temporary visual or sensory sensitivity in the person who suffers from a migraine. Some have even reported experiencing temporary blindness.
12. Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches feature brief but excruciating bouts of pain. The pain can last anywhere from fifteen minutes up to three hours. This type of headache is often triggered by alcohol consumption, food allergies, smoking, and high altitude.
Alternative Method to Get Rid of These Headaches
Reading about the twelve kinds of headaches is enough to give a person a real headache! The good news is, there is an alternative, safe, and all-natural way to get rid of the pain that is caused by these headaches.
Upper cervical chiropractic is a pain relief method that aims to restore the proper alignment of the spine’s topmost bones. These cylindrical bones are the atlas and axis. These bones are essential to protecting the brainstem, which is involved in sending signals from the brain and throughout the body.
Misalignment or injury of the atlas and axis bones subject the brainstem to pressure, hindering its normal function. This scenario can lead to headaches and migraines.
Get Headache and Migraine Pain Relief Today
After visiting our office, people with migraine and neck pain have reported improvements to their health and migraine symptoms. By working with our highly trained upper cervical chiropractor, you can get relief from head pains. Today, many people enjoy more mobility and are now relatively pain-free.
Come and visit us today to learn how you can regain optimal health and be free from headaches.
To schedule a consultation with Southern Spinal Care PC, call (843) 399-0182.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.