Stress and Headaches - Know Your Headaches
© Michelle Howard - All Rights Reserved
One of the number one symptoms of stress is headaches. Of course, the very act of having a headache doesn't mean you are experiencing an external stressor. There are internal stressors and external stressors. If you are having headaches, especially frequent ones, your body is encountering some form of stress.
When you get a headache, it's important to adequately identify the type of headache you are having so that it can be treated properly. Popping pain pills can sometimes be ineffective. There are a number of treatments available for headaches but first you need to be properly diagnosed.
After attending a headache seminar with Dr. Audrey Halpern of Manhattan Headache and Neurology, I learned of 12 types of headaches (some you may know):
Benign Cough - This type of headache is not so common and is triggered by coughing. This is probably caused by the pressure from coughing but it's not really clear. An MRI is required to rule out other health problems
Cluster - This is probably the most painful and intense type of headache and it usually comes without warning, occurring in a "cluster" of periods
Hemicrania Continua - This is a rare but treatable type of primary headache that isn't caused by any other condition
Migraines - These types of headaches can range from mild to disabling (I used to be quite familiar with these). They often begin as a dull ache and progresses to a throbbing intense pain in the temples and the front or back of the head on one side. Migraines can cause you to feel nauseous and sensitive to sound or light.
Paroxysmal Hemicrania - A rare headache experienced by adults; the pain could be severe throbbing or a dull ache on one side of the face around the eye area, along with a swollen eye. Soreness and tenderness is usually experienced between attacks.
Post Traumatic - A common headache following an injury to the head or neck. These can last days, weeks or months
Sinus - This type of headache is felt around the bridge of the nose or above it in the forehead. Sinus pressure is often the cause of a sinus headache
Tension - This is the most common headache where the muscles tighten at the back of the head or back of the face. This headaches is usually the result of stress or fatigue
Trigeminal Neuralgia - This headache usually lasts less than two minutes and is experienced in the face. The pain is a sharp electric feeling
SUNCT - This stands for Short-lasting, Unilateral, Neuralgiform headache; This type of headache causes bursts of moderate to severe throbbing, burning, or stabbing, pain on one side of the head around the eye or the temple.
Secondary - This headache is caused by some form of condition and is distinguished from other types of headaches such as migraines.
Sex - I thought this was the "Not now, I have a headache" type of headache. However, this is an intense piercing headache caused while releasing an orgasm. It can start as a dull ache that increases during sex to the point of feeling like you are having an aneurism.
Since there are so many forms of headaches, it's important to be diagnosed by a headache specialist. Know the cause of your stress and headaches. It could be caused by any number of reasons. Getting your headaches diagnosed by a trained professional is critical to receive the most effective treatment.
Further Recommended Reading:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
