Different Types of Headaches

By Jacqueline Harris

Headaches are some of the most common health complaints, and in some cases, can be completely disabling to the patient experiencing them. Fortunately, almost 90% of all headaches are classified as a form of muscle tension, 6% fall into the migraine category, and the rest are considered to be a rare or mixed category.

There are 5 main categories of headaches, which are Vascular, Myogenic, Cerviogenic, Traction, and Inflammatory. Throughout this article, we will explore the differences between the five categories.

Vascular Headaches

The most common headache type in the Vascular category is the Migraine, which has characteristics such as severe pain in either side of the head, or at both sides at the same time. Other characteristics include upset stomach, and even disturbed vision. Migraines tend to be more common among women than men.

Another common type of Vascular headache is the Cluster headache. These are often characterized by short episodes of intense pain, which eventually subside, only to return at a later date. In earlier instances, cluster headaches were more common among men than women, however, in recent times the gap has closed quite considerably. The exact reason for this is not clear, although it has been suggested that diagnosis has been improved on.

Muscular Headaches

Also known as Myogenic headaches, these are characterized by a tightening of muscles in the facial and neck areas, and often this tension will move on to the forehead. The Tension headache is the most common form of headache in the muscular headache category.

Cervicogenic Headaches

The Cervicogenic categories of headaches originate from disorders coming from the neck. Often, a Cervicogenic headache will be the result of precipitated neck movement, or long periods in which the neck is held in an awkward position. Often, Cervicogenic disorders are accompanied by restricted movement of the area with neck, shoulder, and arm pain. The pain experienced is often vague in nature with regards to a set area, and difficult for the patient to pinpoint an exact area the pain is radiating from.

Inflammatory and Traction headaches

Inflammatory, and Traction headache symptoms are often the result of an underlying disorder, or infection. These may include anything from a stroke to a sinus infection, and in cases of inflammatory, or Traction headaches, medical attention should be sought.

While it is very likely that headaches are harmless, and nothing more than a painful inconvenience, some headache types may need specific treatments, or may be the symptoms of a more serious underlying syndrome, or illness. Many headache categories will be characterized by a pattern of symptoms, and may require no more investigative action to be taken, while other categories may require further testing, and specialized treatments.

Headaches that are the result to an injury, or blow sustained to the head are likely to warrant immediate medical attention, especially if they are accompanied with fevers, convolutions, loss of consciousness, or confusion.

For those who are experiencing headaches, it is important to see a doctor, or health care professional to rule out the likelihood of headaches being linked to another severe condition, or illness. Often, a doctor can rule out the likelihood of this, and assist the patient in finding forms of relief that will ease the pain they are experiencing.