Headaches

Headaches

Headaches are very different in presentation, but the public commonly mix up the type of headache that they may be experiencing. The two most common headaches that we feel are Tension type headaches and Migraines

Tension type headaches usually occur due to increase stress. Working more hours, a family member dying or moving house are all factors that can cause tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, even the small muscles at the base of your skull and across your jaw. The tension produced in these muscular structures can cause referred pain from the base of your head to your ear and even round to the forehead and behind your eyes.

This is the typical presentation of a tension type headache. Other factors that can cause tension type headaches are sitting at a computer screen with your neck flexed forward, or whiplash injuries or even neck pain.

Migraine headaches tend to be directly related to a stimulus. In other words something triggers the headache off. Some people find that they are photosensitive, in other words a strong light which flashes into their eyes can trigger off a migraine; others find that eating certain foods cause the migraine to begin. Finding the stimulus that triggers off the headache is one of the key factors in decreasing the number of headaches that you experience.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Tension type band around the forehead and base of the skull

  • Pulsating pain on the temple

  • Nausea

  • Blurred vision

  • Haze in vision (sometimes seen as bright lights or stars)