Learn More about the Different Types of Headaches and When It’s Time to See a Neurologist

Headache pain is probably the one health condition that robs you of the most of your precious time. It can be excruciating and cause significant disruption in your day, but it can also be a symptom of a serious underlying health issue.

In some cases, your only choice is to see a neurologist to ensure your health isn’t at risk.

So, why does headache pain develop? What are the types of headaches and which ones are more serious?

Keep reading to find out when to see a neurologist for headaches.

What Is a Headache?

According to the International Headache Society, medical experts classify headaches as primary or secondary headaches. A primary headache is a headache that results from tension, stress, depression, sleep deprivation, or sensory stimuli. Usually, the cause has to do with your environment or results from your activities.

Medical professionals categorize primary headaches as tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines. Secondary headaches usually result from another medical condition or underlying health issue.

See a Neurologist for Headaches if You Regularly Experience the Following Primary Headaches

Tension headaches are commonplace in mainstream society and result from stress and anxiety. Usually, people experience mild to moderate discomfort on both sides of their heads. They feel a tightening sensation or compression, which they can alleviate with over-the-counter pain medicine. People usually only experience headache pain, but some get an upset stomach as well.

A cluster headache represents an intense headache pain that may occur regularly over several weeks. The pain typically begins behind the eye and resonates over the face. Headaches last, on average, from 30 minutes to 3 hours, with several episodes taking place throughout the day. Men experience cluster headaches more than women.

Then there is the Granddaddy of all headache pain - the migraine. Migraine headache pain is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and auras. It hurts and pulsates and can, in some cases, require emergency treatment.

A migraine sufferer may experience an aura before the onset of a migraine or may share hints of a migraine coming on. For example, during the initial state, a person may notice flashes of light or experience a change in mood. They may be susceptible to smells, sounds, and light. You may also feel sick to your stomach.

Migraine sufferers who experience auras often see flashes of light, or their vision may blur. They may also feel numbness over their face or a tingling sensation in their hands. In rare cases, the people may even have trouble with speech.

Children may experience abdominal migraines and experience dull headache pain or no headache pain. The main symptoms are abdominal (digestive disturbances and vomiting) in these cases. Children from 3 to 10 years old may experience abdominal migraines.

Causes for Secondary Headaches

People who experience secondary headaches may develop pain from any of the following events:

• Trauma or injury to the head or neck (concussion or whiplash)
• A brain aneurysm
• Brain inflammation (temporal arteritis)
• An artery tear
• Misuse or overuse of a medicine
• Withdrawal from a drug or caffeine

Most people who visit a neurologist for headache pain find that the pain prevents them from leading an everyday life. While you might experience a tension headache every once in a while, you need to see a doctor if you are regularly experiencing the pain 10 or 15 times per month. Extreme headache pain, such as cluster headaches and migraines, should be investigated.

A neurologist can also help you discover the reason for secondary headache pain and help you find a cure. If you have severe headache pain, such as a migraine, it always helps to learn what is igniting the pain and what you can do to prevent it. Usually, a migraine is a sign of a nervous system disorder, so a neurologist is the best person to see.

Sinusitis and Headache Pain

Many people who get pounced with headaches may have a sinus infection or sinusitis. Sinus headaches create pressure around the cheeks, forehead, and eyes. Often the person experiences forehead swelling and pain and swelling on each side of the nose. Sinus infections may cause a throbbing type of headache pain. However, a sinus headache may be a migraine in some cases.

Hypertension Head Pain

In some cases, your headache pain may come from hypertension. This type of headache pain alerts you to a more critical medical issue. If you are not controlling your high blood pressure with medicine, you may experience headaches.

A hypertension headache often denotes a pounding pain that takes place on both sides of the head. It often accompanies other symptoms, such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and numbness.

You can also experience this type of headache if you treat your high blood pressure. However, if you continue to take your medicine, the headaches will disappear as your condition stabilizes and improves.

Rebound Headache Pain

If you take too much of an over-the-counter pain reliever or medicine, you may experience a rebound headache. This head pain resembles a tension headache or may feature sharp pains much like a migraine. This is the way your body rebels if you misuse a medication.

Though there are still other types of headaches, we have reviewed several of the major types. Whatever the reason for your headache, the reaction usually results from a chemical change in the body. If you want to prevent further incidents, set up an appointment to see a neurologist for headaches so you can start going down a healthier path.

By consulting with a pain specialist such as a neurologist, you can determine how to modify your diet or, perhaps, scale down on your intake of pain medicines. Doing so will help you experience fewer headaches and feel healthier overall.

Get a New Lease on Life

Whether your headache results from a reaction to your environment or is based on withdrawal or exposure to a particular substance, you can find ways to improve your health and respond to anxiety or stress more positively. Talk to a neurologist for headaches if you regularly experience pain and discomfort.