Headaches can be due to many reasons including migraines which are common and can cause challenges for many people in their everyday lives. According to the NHS, around 10 million people experience migraines in the UK, leading to three million workdays lost every year because of this. Migraines can sometimes be confused with headaches, however they can be much more painful than a typical headache. Headaches generally cause pain in the head, upper neck and face they can be mild and only occur occasionally. In contrast a migraine can be very painful and affect a person’s ability to proceed with daily activities.
Types of Headache:
Tension Headaches:
The most common type of headache.
Characterised by a dull, aching pain on both sides of the head.
Often described as a tight band around the forehead or a weight on top of the head.
Can be caused by stress, muscle tension, poor posture, or fatigue.
Cluster Headaches:
Intense, severe pain that typically occurs around one eye or on one side of the head.
The pain may last for weeks or months (a cluster period) and then disappear for a long time.
Often associated with tearing, nasal congestion, or redness of the eye on the affected side.
More common in men and often occurs at the same time each day.
Sinus Headaches:
Caused by inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis).
Characterised by a deep, constant pain in the forehead, cheekbones, or bridge of the nose.
Often accompanied by other sinus symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, or fever.
Rebound Headaches:
Occur from the overuse of pain medications, leading to a cycle of headaches that return as the medication wears off.
Common in individuals who frequently use over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, or paracetamol.
Types of Migraine:
Migraine with Aura
Individuals experience flashing lights, or blind spots prior to migraine starting. Auras can last from 5 minutes upto 1 hour and act as a warning that a migraine is about to start.
Symptoms can include:
✅Flashing lights
✅Spots, colours or patterns may appear
✅Blind spots
✅Temporary blindness
✅Feeling dizzy or off balance
✅A tingling sensation in parts of your body
✅Muscle weakness
Migraine without Aura:
This is probably the most common type of migraine, and involves no warning signs prior to the start of a migraine. The pain experienced is usually throbbing, affecting one part of the head which can affect the ability to proceed with daily activities. Individuals may experience nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.
Treatment Options:
There are many treatment options available to treat a migraine this could include over the counter medication containing aspirin, paracetamol and codeine. Prescription medication is also available including triptans, B-Blockers and antidepressants. In many cases lifestyle changes including diet, anxiety management and exercise can influence the frequency of migraines.
If you have an established diagnosis of migraine, medication can be prescribed for ongoing management. However if migraine headaches are recent onset, and no formal diagnosis has occurred please book an appointment to see the G.P.