Right now I have this wicked headache on the left side of my head. The pain is spread out from the back of my left eye to just above my left ear and even a little bit into my neck. The intensity comes in waves and I've been getting them every day for about a week now. I'm trying to figure out what kind of headache this is, in order to best treat it. Thanks!
2006-09-22 10:42:12 · 8 answers · asked by frostwizrd 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
There are all kinds of reasons why headaches occur. In addition, the treatment for them will vary depending on what kind of headache is being treated. The following is some of what the doctor will be looking at.
Diagnosis of Headache Type
Most of the information leading to the diagnosis of the headache type is obtained from the patient's history.
1. Frequency and duration : Increasing frequency or duration of headaches indicates the need for a re-evaluation of the patient. Daily headaches are often the result of caffeine or medication overuse. Very brief, but intense and frequent (several times a day) headaches in women suggest the diagnosis of chronic paroxysmal hemicrania which almost always responds to indomethacin.
2. Time patterns : A patient who wakes up with a headache which quickly resolves without medications may be suspected of having a brain tumor or another space occupying lesion. Tension-type headaches tend to worsen as the day progresses but it is not unusual to have a headache upon awakening as well. Cluster headaches tend to be very regular in their time of occurrence. Typically these headaches wake the patient up from sleep in early morning hours.
3. Character and location of pain : Burning occipital pain suggests a focal neuropathy. Unilateral and pulsatile pain is most common in migraine and cluster headaches.
4. Precipitating factors : Alteration of sleep patterns, tyramine-rich foods, alcohol, chocolate and other foods can provoke a migraine attack. Overexertion and emotional stress is one of the most common precipitating factors for both tension-type and migraine headaches. Strong sensory stimuli such as loud noise, strong odors, bright and flashing lights can induce a headache in a susceptible individual. Changes in barometric pressure such as with weather changes, flying or climbing a mountain can provoke a headache.
5. Preceding and accompanying symptoms : Migraine headaches are often preceded by a visual and other types of aura. Nausea, sensitivity to light, noise and movement are typical accompaniments to migraine headaches. Agitation, unilateral nasal congestion and tearing frequently occur with an attack of cluster headache. Dizziness can occur with migraine and cervicogenic headaches.
Then depending on your symptoms, the doctor may also order MRI's, CAT scans, or or other diagnostic tests. The rest is headaches can be a symptom or the problem and everything needs to be ruled out. In my case, I suffer my migraines. They have been so bad in the past that they have actually caused scarring on my brain. I am currently under treatment with a neurologist and things are improving. So the best advice is to see your doctor and the two of you discuss your headache and decide on the treatment of choice. Source(s)
2006-09-22 18:48:45 · answer #1 · answered by msfyrebyrd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
How do people categorize different types of headaches? (i.e. tension, sinus, migraine, cluster, etc.)?
Right now I have this wicked headache on the left side of my head. The pain is spread out from the back of my left eye to just above my left ear and even a little bit into my neck. The intensity comes in waves and I've been getting them every day for about a week now. I'm trying to...
2015-08-26 11:28:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would have it checked out, I know when I look at a computer screen too long I get the same type of headache you are describing. I went to my eye doc and was told it is a migraine in the back of the eye caused by strain. I know this may sound weird, but I have found the best cure is a couple of Midol and rubbing a small amount of peppermint oil on my temple. works wonders!
2006-09-22 10:51:49 · answer #3 · answered by Erilyn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to find out the root cause. I had them from third grade to 1998, when a Halter Monitor showed that I had Bigeminy,where the heart beats with one normal heartbeat and one premature heartbeat. The doctors put me on Verapamil 240mg, which restored my heart to normal sinus rhythm. This also stopped my migraines, which was just great, doctors had been listening to my heart for years, but did not catch this. I even went to a headache clinic in Ohio. Life is too precious, to have to spend days in bed, with a migraine, throwing up, unable to stand the noise of someone walking on the floor. Keep trying to find out why you have them.
2016-03-16 01:14:38 · answer #4 · answered by Ann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several types of headaches..depending on where its located...you need to see a doctor, so he can diagnose you...
but to me that sounds like a migraine
2006-09-22 11:53:06 · answer #5 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ehm..
I was a neuropathy sufferer, I couldn't sleep because of my horrible nerves pain. I got much better thanks to this natural program: http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=569
Try it, it really helped me.
2014-09-13 17:20:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html
2006-09-23 07:28:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have those sometimes. i would say that they could be migranes. check with your doc and see what he/she says.
2006-09-22 10:49:54 · answer #8 · answered by MiaDiva28 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋