Migraine headaches are a quite frequent problem whenever discomfort occurs in parts of the head for example over the eyes or the ears and uper neck or behind the head. In addition, severe headaches are not generally thought to be a disease, but instead a an indication of some other illness. There are many causes of migraine headaches and other types and these may also differ from one individual to another. Moreover, as sometimes the treatment is difficult, it is crucial to correctly diagnose the cause of headache. Before any treatment, the headache should be first categorized. There are several methods to classify headaches although the most well known method was put forward by the International Headache Society. There are three main types of headaches according to this categorization and each specific type tends to have a separate cause.

Primary headaches are one of the chief kinds of headaches and could be further categorized as tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. In tension headaches, the major cause of headache is physical or mental stress. It is believed that almost 90% of all adults would experience tension headaches during their lives. Compared to men women appear to be more prone to experience tension headaches. Migraine headaches are also a common type of headache with almost 12% of the US population (approximately 28 million people) experiences this form of headache. Cluster headaches which affects only 0.1% of the people are somewhat uncommon though both these types tend to be experienced fairly frequently by most people. The exact cause of headache in both migraine related and cluster headaches are not presently known. However, none of the above three headaches are life threatening.

Although the cause of headache in primary headaches may not prove to be fatal, secondary headaches may signal a far more dangerous situation. Due to conditions like meningitis, brain tumors, strokes and encephalitis secondary headaches could come about. Therefore, it is imperative that you seek medical attention when your headaches are accompanied with symptoms like seizures, continuing nausea and vomiting, and vision, speech and behavior changes. There is also another type of headaches called Cranial neuralgia where the cause of headache is inflamed nerves in the head and the neck. In addition to this, facial pains and other various headaches are also incorporated into this category.

It’s very important that the you visit your physician if the headache persists in a severe manner though you might be able to get some relief in the short term through painkilling drugs like asprin or paracetamol. In addition, the painkilling drugs including paracetamol should be used in the recommended doses as an overdose may result in adverse consequences like heavy liver damage which would sometimes prove to be life threatening.

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