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.

Headaches can be run-of-the-mill or something more seriousCredit: Getty - Contributor

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.”

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.

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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.”

Colds and flu can cause headachesCredit: Getty - Contributor

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.

A bump to the head can cause trauma to the brainCredit: Getty - Contributor

“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”.

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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.”

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