WHEN TO BEAR WITH A SORE HEAD
From migraines to cluster, advice about headaches and when to see a doctor
HEADACHES can range from mild to severe and they affect us all.
There are more than 300 different types — so you could get a headache just thinking about them.
6
But how do you tell if the pain in your head is just run-of-the mill, a hangover or something to really worry about?
ISABEL DEIBE spoke to headache specialist Professor Peter Goadsby, a neurology expert at King’s College London, to find out when it’s time to get help.
Primary headaches
TENSION-TYPE: “These are the most common and usually caused by daily stress, dehydration or simply staring at screens.
“These are easily solved with over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin and paracetamol. If these don’t work, it’s probably not a tension-type.”
6
MIGRAINE: “Migraine is less common than ‘tension’ headache, but 15-18 percent of the population get them. The peak age is 40.
“Women are more likely to get them, with three females for every male getting them as adults. However, migraine runs in families so it’s not unusual that you'll suffer if someone in your family does. Two out of three experience them on one side of the head, and the remaining third suffer all over their heads.
“Migraines can temporarily affect the way you function, stopping you from doing anything.
“They have a pounding or throbbing sensation, and are associated with brain fog, neck ache, being sensitive to light, sound, smell, and feeling like you need to touch your head. Tiredness also accompanies the attacks.
6
“Go to the doctor and tell them your symptoms. You should also keep a diary for all primary headaches to work out a pattern.
“Usually if women keep diaries, they’ll find they get more headaches around menstruation, and that is a typical sign of migraines. Your GP might give you stronger over-the-counter drugs, or a migraine- specific drug, such as one of the six from the Triptan class to prevent attacks”.
For more information, head to
CLUSTER: “They are very painful — they feel like someone’s got a pair of pliers around your eyeball and is trying to pull it out.
6
They are more likely to affect men, with three men for every woman suffering from them.
“Studies have found people find them more painful than childbirth.
“The common form is episodic, which often come twice a year around the time the clocks change.
“It will happen up to four times a day during this period, usually almost at the same time of the day.
“It turns on and off like a clock, and this will go on every day for six to eight weeks. They happen on one side of the head and are very severe.
“A cluster person will be restless or agitated, and they’ll rock and move about with their attack.
“If you think you are experiencing cluster headaches, you need to get diagnosed by your GP and they will treat you.”
Professor Goadsby also urges you not to look on Google but to go to to learn more.
Secondary headaches
These are caused by something else. Once you treat the underlying cause, the headache will stop.
HEADACHE WITH INFECTION: “Recognisable as they occur with other parts of illness, such as coughs, colds, runny noses or a temperature. You get a mild all-over-the-head ache with things like chest infections and respiratory tract infections, and once you treat the underlying infection, it will go away. You can take aspirin or paracetamol for these.”
6
PAIN WITH SUBSTANCE INGESTION: “If you drink alcohol and get a headache, then the way to stop that is to stop drinking booze. It’s as simple as that. You’ll have to let it go on its own.
“Migraine sufferers are more prone to alcohol headaches, though, so it could be a sign of a migraine and you might want to see your GP.”
TRAUMA-ASSOCIATED: “If your head experiences any form of trauma, such as bumping it, or being out in the summer sun without a hat, you are going to get head pain. You can give your head trauma in lots of ways, and it will mostly go away on its own.
“The problem comes when something else is associated with it, like visual or balance problems, or weakness.
6
“These things could tell you that it’s more than the superficial trauma, you might have injured your brain.
“If you are experiencing other sensations as well, that is when you need to go and see a medical professional immediately”.
HEADACHE WITH BRAIN TUMOUR: “These are a very uncommon cause of isolated headaches.
“Everyone worries about this, but 997 out of 1,000 people with brain tumours have more than just headaches as a symptom.
“If you have balance problems, pass out or feel weak, that’s when to check it out.
“Brain tumour headaches are almost never severe, they’re usually dull and not particularly troublesome.
“The headache is about last on the list”.
most read in fabulous
THUNDERCLAP HEADACHES: “These go from nothing to the absolute maximum, horrible, and dreadful pain in minutes.
“They peak within five minutes, coming on suddenly and settling down relatively quickly too.
“It’s go to woe in minutes. If this is happening to you in under five minutes, go to the hospital.”
“You’ll feel it all over the head, but the main thing to look out for with thunderclap headaches is the rapid timing.”
“If you are reading this description and it sounds familiar, get checked out as soon as possible.”
From headaches to period pains – here’s which painkillers you should be taking
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]