Everyone has an occasional headache, but for some, the experience is more frequent. Of the many different types of headaches, some of the more common include:

Tension headaches

These headaches present constant, dull aching on both sides of your head. It can feel as though there is a tight band squeezing your skull, and the pain can spread to your neck.

Cluster headaches

This type of head pain is felt on one side of your head and can include sharp or burning pain. The discomfort can be severe and is often situated behind or near one eye.

Thunderclap headaches

These severe headaches come on suddenly and are often caused by a serious medical condition. If you encounter a headache that is both sudden and severe, you should seek immediate medical attention.

A migraine is not a headache in and of itself, but a collection of neurological symptoms. Migraines can cause throbbing, incapacitating pain that can be felt on one or both sides of your head. Head pain is often accompanied by other symptoms, which can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to sound, light, smell, or touch
• Dizziness
• Tingling or numbness in your face or extremities

If you suffer from migraines your symptoms can differ from one attack to the next. That’s part of what can make it challenging to get a proper diagnosis. There are often triggers that lead to a migraine attack.

Knowing the things that can trigger a migraine attack can help you prevent some occurrences. Some common triggers include:

• Anxiety, shock, or depression
• Hormonal shifts
• Certain medications
• Lack of sleep
• Certain foods
• Secondhand smoke
• Temperature changes
• Jet lag

While you might be able to avoid some migraine attacks, there are times when a migraine strikes despite your best efforts.

No single test is used to diagnose migraine. Your practitioner performs physical and neurological exams to gather information about your health.

An in-depth discussion about your personal and family health history is also an important part of the diagnostic process. Ruling out other potential causes of your symptoms is a large part of the diagnostic process.

If you suffer from debilitating head pain, schedule a consultation with Spinal Diagnostics at your earliest convenience. You can book a visit online or by phone.