About Migraine and Headache Pain
There are many types of headaches, and the causes and symptoms of each can vary greatly. The most common headache is known as a tension headache and is caused by muscle tension. Another common headache, a migraine headache, affects over 10 percent of the population. Rare forms include the trigeminal neuralgia headache, cluster headaches and hemicrania continua. The pain experienced from a headache can range from a dull ache to a completely debilitating experience.
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What are the Causes?
The most common headache triggers include stress and anxiety, skipped meals, alcohol use, eye strain, lack of sleep, exposure to smoke, and drug withdraws. Migraine pain can occur due to enviornmental factors, for example consuming certain foods.
Headache Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of headaches will vary by the degree and type of headache. For instance, a tension headache produces a dull, achy pressure on the temples, forehead and scalp. Tension headaches can also produce difficulty in sleeping and concentrating. Cluster headaches, on the other hand, are characterized by debilitating pain on one side of the head. Cluster headaches often produce a watery eye and nasal congestion on the same side of the face that is experiencing pain.
Migraine Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of migraines vary from person to person, but they are often accompanied with severe pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine pain can be extremely debilitating. “Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.” — Mayo Clinic on severe migraine pain
Other common symptoms of migraines include dull to sever throbbing near the back of the head or around the eye, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, and numbing or tingling sensations. Some patients have even reported intense neck pain accompanying their migraine attack. Migraine symptoms can last anywhere between a few hours to a few days.