Types of headpain
Common Headache
In general, headaches are amongst the most common health complaints in the modern world.
Various studies performed in Australia as well as America and the UK state the frequency of
headaches to be approximately seventy five percent of the population suffering one or more headaches in any one year.
Includes Tension Headaches & Myofascial referred pain.
Cluster Headache
Cluster Headaches are actually considered to be a sub category of Migraine and are amongst the most painful types of headaches. The onset of these headaches is typically between the ages of 20 and 40 years old with a male to female incidence of 4:1, however exceptions do occur. The term Cluster Headache arises due to these headaches occurring in clusters of a number of attacks of pain in the face or head, usually short lived in duration and very severe with often many months between clusters. The cycle of attacks with periods of remission is usually repetitive over time with the sufferer almost able to predict the onset and duration of the next cluster.
Common Migraine
Migraine is common- affecting approximately 15% of females and 6% of males.
It is believed that women are more susceptible due to the cyclic fluctuations in hormones associated with the menstrual cycle,
making women more vulnerable at certain times in the cycle.
Classic Migraine
Approximately 20% of Migraine attacks do have an Aura.
An Aura involves symptoms that precede an impending attack of head pain including- visual symptoms (blurred vision, blind spots etc) and sensory changes such as pins and needles in the face or hands and arms (amongst the most common symptoms).
Cervicogenic Headache
Upper neck problems are a common cause of referred pain into the head region. Research has demonstrated how the nerves in the upper neck (when irritated), can send pain signals into the head and face regions; researchers believe this happens because the nerves supplying the skin and other sensitive structures in the neck have connections with the nerves supplying the face, forehead, temples, and even behind the eyes.
Neuralgias (Nerve Pain)
Occipital Neuralgia:
This condition is believed to be due to irritation to the main sensory nerve in the back of the head; (that which supplies all of the skin and pain sensitive structures in the upper neck and back of skull). It is believed that this irritation may be caused by tightness in the muscles, joints or ligaments of the upper neck, thereby putting pressure on the nerve itself and causing it to become irritable and painful. Neck injuries, postural strain, and viral infections are amongst a number of other potential causes of irritation to this nerve.
Other Headaches
Includes :Post Traumatic Headaches, TMJ Syndrome, Toxic Headaches, Infectious Headaches, Metabolic Headaches
Other Migraines
Includes :Aura without pain, Menstrual Migraines, Complicated Migraines