Understanding Different Types of Headaches and Migraines

Headaches are one of the most common neurological complaints, but not all headaches are one size fits all. There are many different types of headaches, and what causes them is just as varied. For patients in Lake County, IL, patients can get a better understanding of what's ailing them by knowing the different types and patterns of headaches.

Well-known as a migraine, one category of headache is quite different and is classified as a primary headache disorder, separate from the rest. According to neurological research, generally, headaches can be classified as primary or secondary.

To request an appointment to see someone for headaches or migraines, visit our contact page:

(https://www.bansalneuro.com/contact-us).

Migraine Headaches

Concerning migraines, you're dealing with a neurological condition that brings on moderate to severe head pain, which can be described as throbbing or pulsating, often on one side of the head. Coming rushing hand-in-hand with nausea, vomiting, heightened sensitivity to light and noise, and vision problems known as aura, migraines are believed to be caused by irregularities in the way the brain sends signals through the nerve network and balances its chemical levels.

The triggers for migraines can be diverse and are triggered by things like stress, hormonal fluctuations, sleep disturbances, specific foods, or environmental factors. And because migraines can knock you off your feet and seriously affect the quality of life, lots of patients seek out specialized care from a neurologist, rather than general pain management.

Tension-Type Headaches

Tension headaches are by far the most prevalent, and they can be described as a dull, aching pressure around the head that is different from migraines.

Unlike migraines, these types of headaches usually don't cause nausea, vomiting, or heightened sensitivity to light or sound, and they are often, if not always, associated with muscle tension, bad posture, stress, and prolonged screen time.

Occasional tension headaches may be effectively alleviated with some lifestyle changes; however, if you're experiencing frequent or chronic tension headaches, it's a good idea to have a further examination to rule out a combination of migraine features or other issues affecting the nervous system.

Check out a video made by one of our headache experts and providers at A Ray of Hope, Carol Kessel, talks about Tension and Cluster Headaches: https://youtube.com/shorts/76e_KhPn7VY?si=eOxtUlIzrpE_g4Wr

Cluster Headaches

Unlike migraines, these types of headaches usually don't cause nausea, vomiting, or heightened sensitivity to light or sound, and they are often, if not always, associated with muscle tension, bad posture, stress, and prolonged screen time.

Check out a video made by one of our headache experts and providers at A Ray of Hope, Carol Kessel, talks about Tension and Cluster Headaches: https://youtube.com/shorts/76e_KhPn7VY?si=eOxtUlIzrpE_g4Wr

Other Common Headache Types and Underlying Causes

They're not just looking at migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches, but a small group of others, too, when a neurologist examines a patient.

Sinus headaches are heavily linked to inflammation and infection in the sinuses and are characterised by a pounding headache around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Cervical headaches originate in the neck and are usually associated with spinal problems and strained muscles, hormonal headaches in women can occur right before, during and after menstruation, pregnancy or menopause as the estrogen levels fluctuate.

Secondary headaches, not well-known but definitely need attention, are a headache that's triggered by something else, such as a head trauma, infection, overmedication, problems with the blood supply to the brain, or a neurological condition. Since these symptoms can be virtually indistinguishable from those of other types of headaches, it's not something that should be ignored.

You can find our comprehensive Migraines and Headaches service page at https://www.bansalneuro.com/migraines-headaches.

Neurologists work off a detailed patient history, a neurological examination and, if required, imaging or diagnostic tests to figure out what's behind a patient’s headaches, and according to clinical guidance, laid down by the Mayo Clinic, you won't be prescribed anything unless they have a clear picture of what's causing the headaches, and we invite you to get to know our neurology team, listed on our neurology providers page: https://www.bansalneuro.com/neurology-providers.

When to Seek Neurological Care in Lake County

A rare headache can be a concern, but recurring headaches in people of any age can be a sign of a more serious issue, when experiencing headaches. If your headaches are getting more frequent, severe, or interfering with your work and life, vision changes, numbness, weakness, or confusion are present, you should see a doctor.

To read more about when to see a migraine neurologist, visit our guide: https://www.bansalneuro.com/blog/migraine-neurologist-libertyville-il

Lake County residents who are experiencing recurring headaches can greatly benefit from the help of a neurologist in Lake County. This medical specialist can help to differentiate between headache types, rule out more serious conditions, and give you a custom-tailored treatment plan.

For a detailed description of all available headache treatments, have a look at our guide, Migraine Treatment Options around Libertyville, IL, www.bansalneuro.com/blog/migraine-treatment-options-libertyville-il.

Treatment Approaches for Headaches and Migraines

With respect to treating a headache, the approach taken will depend on the type and cause of the headache. Preventive or acute medications, lifestyle modifications, nerve-targeted therapies, and more advanced treatments, such as Botox therapy or Sphenocath, may be used. Treatment plans are tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs.

For those seeking treatment options, understanding the various options in migraine care and modern therapies can be a crucial first step. Coming from a neurology team to learn about your symptoms, evaluation options, and what to do next is still a good idea.

You can look up our comprehensive Migraines & Headaches service page (https://www.bansalneuro.com/migraines-headaches) to see the different ways we evaluate and treat these conditions. People who are weighing up the benefits and drawbacks of advanced therapies can find our pages on Botox therapy and Sphenocath helpful.

Sources: Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360207)