Doctors Explain The 4 Worst Types of Headaches (And How to Stop Them)

3. ALLERGY OR SINUS HEADACHE

Allergy and sinus headaches occur when cavities within the skull, called sinuses, becoming inflamed. Allergic reactions may spawn an allergy or sinus headache. Pain is most often located in the front of the head and sinus areas.

Symptoms of allergy or sinus headache include runny nose, fever, swelling of the face, and green and yellowish nasal discharge. Sinus infections are likely to produce sinus headaches as well.

It’s worth noting that migraines are often misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. Upwards of 90 percent of diagnosed sinus headaches are, in reality, migraines.

Treatment of allergy and sinus headaches involves nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants, and antibiotics.

4. HYPERTENSION HEADACHES

Chronic hypertension, or high blood pressure, may produce a hypertension headache. Pain is often moderate to severe and is usually located on both sides of the head.

Symptoms of hypertension headaches include chest pain, vision changes, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, and trouble breathing. As hypertension headaches are triggered by dangerously high blood pressure, they are considered a medical emergency.

Treatment of hypertension headaches varies, but generally involves something to monitor blood pressure. Beta-blockers, medications that lower your blood pressure, may be prescribed by the physician. OTC pain medications are suggested to ease short-term pain.

PREVENTION

Most of us will only ever experience the common, tension-type headache described earlier. As it turns out, professional advice pertaining to the prevention of both tension headaches and migraine-type headaches is (surprisingly) very similar!

For headaches both acute and chronic, mild and severe, the singlemost important advice is to avoid headache triggers, the most common being long-term stress, alcohol, excess caffeine intake, skipping meals, poor sleeping habits, and medication overuse.

Additionally, it is very beneficial to get adequate sleep and to exercise on a regular basis.