“Not another headache!” If you or someone you know has ever uttered these words, then this article is for you. Maybe you get an occasional headache that is mild and achy and goes away after a little while, or you get the pounding, throbbing kind that causes you to have to lie down until it passes. Whatever kind of a headache you have, you probably just want relief. Nearly everyone suffers from some sort of a headache at one time or another. Have you ever wondered just what kind of a headache you are experiencing? We will discuss some common headache types below and then find out what you can do to find natural relief. First, however, let's see what kind of a headache requires immediate medical attention.
There are two categories of headaches -- primary and secondary. Primary headaches are not caused by some other condition, illness, or allergies. These headaches can be one of two types:
Episodic: Can occur every so often or just once in a while and last from 30 minutes to several hours
Chronic: More consistent headaches that occur most days out of the month and can last for days at a time.
The following headaches are the most common primary headaches:
Tension headaches: These headaches are dull and achy and affect the entire head. They are not a throbbing kind of head pain but rather you may feel tenderness and sensitivity on your neck, scalp, shoulders, and forehead. They are often triggered by stress.
Cluster headaches: Characterized by very intense pain referred to as burning or piercing. They affect one eye or one side of the face at a time. You may experience redness, flushing, swelling, and sweating on the side of the face where a headache is. You may have a stuffy nose and your eye may water. These headaches happen in series or clusters. They can last from 15 minutes to three hours. Most often, people have 4 headaches a day around the same time of day within the cluster. Clusters can happen daily for months at a time and then resolve for a few months with no symptoms. They seem to be more common in the spring and fall and affect men 3 times more often than women.
Migraines: These are actually a neurological condition that has headaches as a symptom. The head pain is intense pounding and throbbing that limits your ability to carry out your activities of the day. They happen on one side for two-thirds of the people who have them. You may be light and sound sensitive. Nausea and vomiting also may occur. Some people have what is called an aura, a visual disturbance that comes on as a warning sign about an hour before a headache begins. These may include flashing, shimmering lights, blind spots, zigzag lines, or seeing stars. Auras also can cause tingling and numbness on one side of the face or in one arm, along with trouble with speech. Migraines may be hereditary or associated with nervous system problems. Women get them 3 times more often than men.
Secondary headaches are a symptom of something going on within your body. Some common examples of these are as follows:
Allergy or sinus headaches: These headaches may be a result of an allergic reaction and are often felt on the front of your head in the sinus area. Migraines are commonly misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. As many as 90 percent of sinus headaches are actually migraines. If you have chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis, you are more susceptible to getting these headaches. They can also be a symptom of a sinus infection.
Hormone headaches: As the name suggests, women commonly get these headaches because they are connected to hormonal fluctuations. Things such as menstruation, pregnancy, and birth control pills can all hinder your estrogen levels and create the right environment for a headache. These headaches are often called menstrual migraines. They may happen right before, during, or after your period or during ovulation. As many as 60 percent of women with migraines are estimated to have menstrual migraines.
Rebound headaches: Also called medication overuse headaches, these headaches may feel like dull, tension-type headaches or as extreme as a migraine. If you frequently take OTC or prescription medications to care for your headaches, you may develop overuse headaches because using too much medication leads to more headaches rather than fewer.
Headache Relief Mckinney TX
Finding Natural Relief for Headaches
Here at Crowder Specific Chiropractic in McKinney, Texas, we take headaches very seriously. It has been seen that a misalignment in this area can be the cause of headaches and migraines. The C1 and C2 vertebrae act as protectors for the brainstem. However, if they have misaligned due to accident or injury, they can begin to stress the brainstem and cause it to send improper signals to the brain. This can lead to headaches.
We begin our examination by looking closely at your upper neck to see if there is a misalignment present. We then use a gentle method to help the bones realign themselves naturally. We do not use force to pop or crack the neck or spine. This mild readjustment helps the healing process to begin, and many see relief from their headaches in only a few visits.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Crowder, call our McKinney office at 972-449-5845. You can also click the button below.
