Headache

Headache is one of the most common health complaints, affecting almost everyone at some point in life. While most headaches are mild and short-lived, some can be severe, recurrent, or even a sign of a more serious condition. Understanding the type of headache is very important because the treatment and prevention strategies are different for each.

 

 

Types of Headaches and Their Features

 

 

1. Tension-Type Headache

 

• Features: Dull, pressing pain, often like a tight band around the head.

• Usually affects both sides of the head.

• Often triggered by stress, lack of sleep, or eye strain.

• Not associated with nausea or visual changes.

 

 

2. Migraine

 

• Features: Severe, throbbing pain, usually one-sided.

• May be associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light/sound.

• Some people experience aura – flashing lights, zig-zag lines, or numbness before the headache.

• Can last from hours to 2–3 days.

 

 

3. Cluster Headache

 

• Features: Severe, stabbing pain around one eye.

• Comes in “clusters” – multiple attacks over weeks, often at the same time of day/night.

• Associated with red eye, nasal blockage, or watering on the same side.

 

 

4. Sinus Headache

 

• Features: Deep, dull pain over cheeks, forehead, or bridge of the nose.

• Worsens with bending forward.

• Associated with nasal congestion, facial swelling, fever in case of sinus infection.

 

 

5. Secondary Headaches (serious causes)

 

• Can be due to high blood pressure, brain infection, tumor, bleeding, or neurological problems.

• Red flag signs: sudden severe headache (“worst ever”), new headache after age 50, headache with weakness/vision problems, or after head injury → require urgent medical evaluation.

 

 

Diagnostic Criteria

 

Doctors use history, clinical examination, and investigations to classify headaches:

 

• Tension-type: At least 10 episodes, lasting 30 min – 7 days, bilateral, non-pulsating, no nausea.

• Migraine: At least 5 attacks, lasting 4–72 hrs, with ≥2 of (one-sided, throbbing, moderate-severe, worsens with activity) + nausea/vomiting or light/sound sensitivity.

• Cluster headache: At least 5 attacks, severe around the eye, lasting 15–180 min, with red eye, tearing, nasal symptoms.

• Sinus headache: Headache with proven sinus infection on clinical exam or scan.

 

 

Avoidance & Prevention Tips

 

• Identify and avoid triggers (stress, irregular sleep, skipping meals, excess screen time, strong odors, alcohol).

• Maintain regular sleep and meal patterns.

• Drink enough water.

• Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake.

• Practice stress relief – yoga, meditation, breathing exercises.

• Correct posture and reduce long screen use.

 

 

Treatment Options

 

• Tension-type: Simple pain relievers (paracetamol, NSAIDs), stress management, relaxation techniques.

• Migraine: Early use of specific medicines (triptans), pain relievers, preventive medicines (beta-blockers, anticonvulsants) if frequent.

• Cluster headache: Oxygen therapy, triptans; preventive medicines (verapamil, steroids in short course).

• Sinus headache: Treat underlying sinus infection (antibiotics if bacterial, steam inhalation, nasal sprays).

• Secondary headaches: Treat underlying cause (hypertension, neurological problems).

 

⚠️ Overuse of painkillers can itself cause chronic daily headache (“medication-overuse headache”). Always use under medical advice.

 

 

Why Choose Respire for Headache Care?

 

At Respire ENT & Pulmonology, we provide:

 

• Expert evaluation to correctly identify the type of headache.

• Advanced diagnostic facilities including nasal endoscopy, imaging, and neurological evaluation when required.

• Tailored treatment plans combining medicines, lifestyle modifications, and preventive care.

• Multidisciplinary approach – ENT, neurology, and pulmonology input to ensure no cause is missed.

 

✨ At Respire, we don’t just treat the pain – we diagnose the cause. That’s why we provide comprehensive and effective solutions for all types of headaches.