Headache & Migraine
Headaches can be dull and throbbing, sharp and pinpointed, and can last for a few minutes or a few days. There are three main types of headaches: tension, migraine and cluster headaches. Each may have its own causes and different symptoms. Migraine headaches differ from tension headaches in that the pain is usually restricted to one side of the head, and may be described as throbbing, moderate to severe pain.
Which type of headache is causing you pain?
There are three types of headaches: tension, migraine and cluster. Each headache may have its own symptoms that can be dull and throbbing, or sharp and pinpointed, and last for a few minutes or a few days1-4. Figuring out which type you have can help to treat the symptoms and prevent future headaches.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headache. They can be caused by a tightening of the muscles of the neck and scalp. This muscle constriction may be triggered by physical or environmental factors, including stiffness or pain in the shoulder and neck muscles as a result of stress or poor posture.4
Tension headaches can:1
- result in mild-to-moderate pain and feel like a tight band of pressure around the head
- be felt equally on both sides of the head, and are normally short lived
- be uncomfortable and annoying. However, they are generally not severe enough to prevent daily activities such as walking.
Migraine Headaches
Migraines differ from tension headaches in that the pain is usually restricted to one side of the head and may be described as throbbing, moderate or severe. Many migraine sufferers may become temporarily sensitive to light and noise, and may also experience nausea and vomiting.2,5
Migraine headaches can:2,5
- last from a few hours to a few days and attacks can be reoccurring
- be more common in women than men
- be caused by various triggers and vary from person to person.
Fortunately, identifying and managing these triggers can substantially reduce the number of migraines.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are the least common type of headaches, but arguably the most intense, and men are more likely to suffer from them than women. The “cluster” in cluster headaches refers not to the location of the head pain, but rather to the grouping of the attacks over time. This is the main difference between cluster headaches and tension or migraine headaches – cluster headaches regularly recur over a certain period of time.3,6
Cluster headaches can:3,6
- bring intense pain, which is usually described as excruciating and localised to one eye
- affect one side of the head, around and behind the eye, then worsen and may last from 15 minutes to three hours
- include symptoms such as eye swelling, tearing and redness and blocked or runny nose only on the side of the head that is affected.
Many headaches often disappear with regular use of acetaminophen, as Panadol®. However, if symptoms persist, you should ask your doctor.
