Headaches

A tension headache is generally a diffuse, mild to moderate pain in your head that is described commonly as feeling like a tight band is wrapped around your head. Many times tension headaches are caused by problems in the neck and/or jaw. 

A migraine is typically a disabling, recurrent headache that affects approximately 20% of women and 7% of men during their lifetimes. Migraines may also produce nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. Most people who suffer from migraines (which means “half a head”) associate some causal factors as a trigger for their migraines.

Triggers can be singular or multiple in nature. Foods and other environmental factors may be triggers. Hormonal fluctuation associated with menstrual cycles or birth control pills as well as other medications can be triggers. Some types of migraines are genetic and are passed down through families.

The precise causes of migraines are still being researched. It was once thought changes in blood flow in the brain was the cause of migraines. It is now thought however that the cause is not blood flow abnormalities, but from abnormal activity in the brain. New research and treatment aims to change brain function in order to improve migraines.

A cluster headache is rarer than migraines and tension headaches. A cluster headache commonly causes excruciating pain behind or around one eye, but the pain may travel to the face, head, and neck. Cluster headaches may also cause tearing of the eyes, redness of the face, stuffy/runny nose, and sometimes a drooping eyelid.