Headache is one of the most common medical conditions. According to Cleveland Clinic, 96% of people have at least one in their lives.
About 40% of people worldwide suffer from so-called ‘tension headaches’ and about 10% suffer from migraines, according to the same source.
There are more than 150 different ones types of headachesranging from mild annoyance to debilitating pain.
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For some, headaches can be misdiagnosed.
Actress Ashley Judd recently shared her story on Instagram about how her “epic headaches” were misdiagnosed for eight years.
Headache is one of the most common medical conditions; 96% of people will experience at least one in their lifetime. (iStock)
“During those eight miserable years, I was treated at some of our best medical facilities with medications for a type of headache that I don’t have,” she posted on Instagram in October.
Her doctors eventually diagnosed her headaches as status migrainosus, a migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours.
What is a headache?
Headache is one pain in the headneck or face often described as a feeling of pressure that varies in location, frequency and severity, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“During those eight miserable years, I was treated… with medication for a type of headache that I don’t have.”
“Headache is one of the most common symptoms that many people experience, and is often dismissed as just a minor discomfort,” Dr. Fred Cohen, assistant professor of medicine and neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, told Fox. News digital.
They are divided into two main categories: primary, caused by overactivity or dysfunction in the pain-sensitive areas of the head, or secondary, in which an underlying medical condition causes the pain, Cleveland Clinic adds.
Actress Ashley Judd recently shared her story on Instagram about how her “epic headaches” were misdiagnosed for eight years. (Getty Images)
Certain types of headaches can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as: brain tumor or aneurysmespecially if the pain is sudden or severe, Cohen said.
“This emphasizes the importance of a thorough evaluation to distinguish between primary headaches and secondary causes, ensuring appropriate treatment and treatment,” he noted.
6 common types of headaches
The three most common types, according to Cohen, are tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches.
1. Tension headaches
“Tension headaches are among the most common forms and are considered by most people to be a typical ‘headache,’” Cohen said.
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Many describe the pain as a tight band around the head, often caused by stress and muscle tension.
Treatment usually focuses on addressing the underlying causes, such as reducing stress or doing physiotherapy prescribed medications can be used if the headaches are frequent, Cohen noted.
2. Migraines
Migraine disproportionately affects women (up to 18% in the US) and is the leading cause of disability worldwide among women aged 18 to 50, research has shown.
“Migraines are considered a neurological diseasewith multiple phases during an attack,” Cohen said.
Migraine disproportionately affects women – up to 18% in the US – and is the leading cause of disability worldwide among women aged 18 to 50. (iStock)
People may experience warning symptoms just before the headache, such as excessive yawning, increased hunger, or watery eyes.
“Some people also experience aura, a neurological phenomenon that can include: visual disturbances – such as zigzag lights or blind spots – or sensory changes, such as tingling or numbness,” Cohen noted.
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Migraines cause a “severe throbbing or throbbing headache with light or sound sensitivity and sometimes nausea,” noted Dr. Timothy A. Collins, chief of the Division of Headache and Pain at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
These symptoms typically last 15 minutes to an hour, but migraine pain can last longer — from four hours to three days, Cohen noted.
A status migraine is a migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours.
When attacks last longer, this is known as ‘status migrainosus’, which is what Judd experienced.
“Unfortunately, many people confuse migraines with ‘regular headaches’ and are unaware of the many effective treatment options available, including daily medications, supplements, monthly injections and even Botox injections,” Cohen told Fox News Digital.
3. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches, which are rare, cause severe, overwhelming pain around one eye several times a day. The condition is “very debilitating,” according to Collins.
The sharp pain is combined with redness of the eyes, tearing, facial flushing and nasal congestion.
The pain can be so intense that it can be mistaken for a brain aneurysm, Cohen noted.
“Cluster headaches usually last 15 minutes to three hours and usually occur in cycles of days or weeks,” said one expert. (iStock)
“Cluster headaches usually last 15 minutes to three hours and usually occur in cycles of days or weeks,” he said.
Cluster headaches are often misdiagnosed as migraines.
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The main difference between the two is that cluster headaches tend to occur in cycles, while many patients with migraines experience headaches once a month for a few days in a row, Collins said.
Treatment options for cluster headaches include medications to abort an attack and preventative therapies to reduce the frequency of cycles, Cohen said.
4. Rebound headaches
People with headaches often take over-the-counter (OTC) medications.such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to “break down” the headache, according to Healthline.
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But experts warn that frequent use of these drugs can lead to more frequent headaches by causing withdrawal symptoms when not taken, the same source noted.
Experts warn that frequent use of these medications can lead to more frequent headaches by causing withdrawal symptoms when not taken. (iStock)
People can also get headaches if they consume large amounts of caffeine and then suddenly skip their morning coffee or suddenly stop taking the drug.
5. Sinus headaches
Sinus congestion from allergies or an infection can cause pain located around the front of the head in the sinuses, according to Healthline.
The pain usually goes away after the sinus congestion resolves.
6. Headache on exertion
Intense physical activity can cause these types of headaches by increasing blood flow to the brain, according to Healthline.
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Symptoms usually go away within minutes to hours, but if they last more than a few hours or have never been experienced before, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor, experts advise.
When should you consult a doctor?
‘Normal’ headaches do not cause loss of consciousness, confusion, slurred speech or weakness in one arm or leg, all of which are sign of a strokesay experts.
People should see a doctor if they have a headache that abruptly changes in severity or has a sudden onset. (iStock)
People who experience any of the following warning signs should immediately see a healthcare provider or call 911 to rule out a more serious medical condition.
– The worst headache of your life
– Headache that changes abruptly in severity or comes on suddenly
– Headache with vision problems (such as double vision)
– Fainting or loss of consciousness with headache
– Fever and stiff neck associated with nausea and vomiting with headache
– Headache after head injury
– Headache immediately after weight lifting, exercise or sexual activity
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Fox News Digital reached out to Ashley Judd for comment.
