Your Indianapolis Chiropractor

What we refer to as headaches may occur very frequently in various areas of the head like for example behind the head, in the upper neck or ears. In addition, headaches are usually not taken as a sickness, but rather a symptom of another sickness. There are many causes of headaches and these may also differ from one individual to another. Furthermore, as in certain cases the treatment is quite tough, it is crucial to rightly diagnose the cause of headache.

Categorizing the headache is the first step that should be taken before attempting to treat the condition. There are several methods to classify headaches although the most renowned method was put forward by the International Headache Society. According to this classification method, there are three major types of headaches and each type has different causes of headaches.

Primary causes of headaches are one of the chief types of headaches and could be further classified as tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. In tension headaches, the major cause of headache is physical or mental stress. It is stated that nearly 90% of all adults would experience tension headaches during their lives. Compared to men women appear to be more prone to experience tension headaches. Migraine headaches are also a frequent kind of headache with almost 12% of the US population (approximately 28 million people) experiences this type of headache. Cluster headaches which affects only 0.1% of the people are somewhat uncommon though both these types tend to be experienced fairly frequently by most people. The precise reason of headache in both migraine related and cluster headaches has not yet been identified. None of those mentioned above however are fatal.

Although the cause of headache in primary headaches may not prove to be fatal, secondary headaches might indicate a far more dangerous situation. Due to conditions like meningitis, brain tumors, strokes and encephalitis secondary headaches could come about. Therefore, it’s vital that one seeks medical attention when one shows headache associated symptoms such as seizures, continuing nausea and vomiting, and vision, speech and behavior changes. Another serious type of a headache is referred to as cranial neuralgia where swollen nerves in the head and neck tends to the reason for the headache. In addition to this, facial pains and other various headaches are also included.

It should be remembered that although many headaches may be temporary relieved by painkilling drugs such as paracetamol and asprin, it is vital to seek medical attention if the headache persists heavily. In addition, the painkilling drugs including paracetamol should be used in the recommended quantities as an overdose might have adverse consequences such as heavy liver damage which would at times prove to be life threatening.