Headaches are a common condition that affects nearly everyone. They are often caused by various factors, including stress, allergies, hormone changes, dietary habits and other health conditions.
Some headaches are a sign of a serious condition and should be treated immediately. If you have a headache that doesn’t improve within a few weeks, get it checked out by your doctor.
Migraine headaches are one of the most common types of primary (non-complicated) headaches. They occur when a cascade of events in the brain sends pain signals to the nerves in the brain. They are characterized by a moderate to severe headache that may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other symptoms.
Tension headaches are another common type of headache. They can cause mild to moderate pain that lasts from 30 minutes to 7 days. They are often associated with other symptoms, such as a pounding feeling in the head or face, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to sound and light.
Cervicogenic headaches, or neck headaches, are also a common form of secondary headache. They are caused by problems with the muscles and ligaments in your neck, such as tension, stiffness, or muscle spasms. They can be worse when you move your neck, but are usually relieved by simply keeping it still.
Other causes of acute or recurrent headaches can be related to a viral illness, such as the flu or cold. These illnesses usually go away in a few days, but they can cause headaches that are so bad that you cannot function normally.
If your child has a headache that won’t go away, see a doctor right away. It could be a sign of a serious problem, such as a sinus infection or a brain tumor.
You can help a child with a migraine headache by teaching him or her to relax, take deep breaths, and avoid activities that make the headache worse. You can give your child a cold compress to apply to the head and neck, and you can ask your child’s doctor about other treatments that may be helpful.
Your child’s doctor might recommend a prescription medicine to help relieve the pain. Some people with migraines need to try different medicines until they find one that works for them.
In other cases, your doctor might want to do blood tests or imaging tests, such as a CT scan of the brain, to rule out other health problems.
Some of the things that cause headaches in some people can also cause them in others, especially if you have a family history of migraine headaches. If you have migraines, be sure to keep a headache diary and talk with your doctor about possible triggers.
The best way to manage migraines is to find out what causes them and work on preventing them. Your doctor might suggest a change in diet or sleeping patterns, or prescribe medications to relieve them.
A cold compress might be helpful if the headache starts in your forehead, temples, or back of your head. To make a compress, fill a bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. You can also use a heating pad or a heating pillow to reduce pain.
