There are over 100 types of headache, and the causes range from harmless to life-threatening. Head ache can be broadly classified has primary and secondary headaches.
Primary headaches account for more than 90% of all headache complaints, and of these, tension-type headache and migraine are the most common. Rarer primary headache disorders are trigeminal neuralgias, cluster head ache and hemicrania continua.
Secondary headaches, are caused by an underlying condition such as meningitis or a brain tumour. Headaches may be caused by problems elsewhere in the head or neck. Some of these are not harmful, such as cervicogenic headache (pain arising from the neck muscles). Medication over use headache may occur in those using excessive painkillers for headaches, paradoxically causing worsening headaches.
Differentiating between primary and secondary headaches can be difficult. As it is often difficult for patients to recall the precise details regarding each headache, it is often useful for the sufferer to fill-out a “headache diary” detailing the characteristics of the headache.
Medication, relaxation, sleep, hydration and acupuncture form the basis of head ache management. In conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, we can do injection or surgery to treat the pain.