Headaches & Migraines

You’re sitting at your desk working away when suddenly a force is exerted on top of your head making it feel like a binder has been wrapped tightly around it and digging into your skull. Sound familiar? If so you’ve suffered one of the many types of Headaches which can hit any time whether during or outside of an ailment or disease. Anybody can experience what we call a headache and they’re common for children as well as adults, affecting over 75% of people before age 50. Headaches are perhaps our most common form of pain and the most frequent reason for days missed from school or work, as well inform visits to the doctor because there’s no cure for them although there are ways to manage to relieve the majority of all those suffering from these types of pain with changing lifestyle habits and medication being what gives greater relief depending on each type. A headache is the most common of ailments and sometimes cannot be avoided. People who are suffering from intense headaches may not be able to do much else than just wake up with one every single day or many worse, experience them on a very frequent basis. This can get quite annoying and even bothersome but it’s best that you try to find ways to cope with this pain instead of letting your headaches and migraines win over you.

Types of Headaches

Headaches can be categorized into 2 main groups: Primary headaches and Secondary headaches. Primary headaches are biological disorders that occur due to a structural problem of the way the brain is formed and function whereas Secondary headaches are more commonly caused by another disorder or injury.

Primary Headaches

There are three types of Primary Headaches

1. Migraines
2. Cluster Headaches
3. Tension-type headaches

Migraines 

Migraines are a common term that many people will recognize. They can be excruciatingly painful, but moreover they do not discriminate who will experience them, nor where or when they will occur. They often happen around the time of puberty and may be caused by hormonal changes, stress or fatigue. The pain tends to throb on one side of the head and can be accompanied with various other symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity or sound sensitivity as well as auras (visual disturbances including flashing lights). Attacks normally last between four to 72 hours which is why simple medication such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) could help at some instances. There are more medications available to treat migraines when symptoms persist. It is often hereditary so there is a high chance of experiencing migraines later in life if someone in the family experienced it earlier in their lives.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are short episodes of acute pain on one side of the head or temple that can last from 20 minutes to several hours. Cluster headaches are more common in men than in women, and generally appear between ages of 20-50. The pain is caused by the enlargement of blood vessels in the nasal chambers and sinuses, and is accompanied by tearing eyes, a runny nose and throat discomfort that leads to coughing. Unlike migraines where the blood vessels become dilated and cause sensitivity to light while cluster headaches results in increased congestion that lead to tearing eyes, a runny nose, extra sneezing and throat pain leading to coughing. This loss concentration can result in decreased productivity which would be detrimental to your startup and could even be damaging if you let yourself fall ill. Make sure you have people around you who can help suggest solutions for how best deal with your problem such as maybe using essential oils or trying relaxation exercises etc!

Tension-type Headaches

Most headaches are tension-type headaches which might start to feel like someone is pulling tightly on the band around your forehead. Your pain, may be worse at no specific time and is likely to get better after taking some rest. It could be that you worked too much or that you have a lot going on in your life right now. You might want to see a doctor if you are experiencing headaches more than twice a month because it could be an indicator of stress or medications, hormonal disorders etc.

There are 3 categories of tension-type headache based on how frequently they occur.

1. Episodic: Once or twice per month, but usually triggered by temporary stress such as excess fatigue, anxiety, anger or similar emotions.
2. Frequent tension-type headaches occur 1 – 15 days per month and when they do you might also experience a migraine headache
3. Chronic tension-type headache– When a person has a headache more than 15 times a month, it is called chronic tension-type headache. This type of headache is associated with depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems that have no clear cause.

Secondary Headaches

A second kind of headache that’s not technically a disease by itself is called an “organic” headache; it is a symptom of another disease or disorder. People who have these types of headaches often feel confused, have trouble focusing, suffer unconsciousness, and experience pain that “fits” the description of the most painful headache they’ve ever felt. Some of the underlying diseases/disorders behind organic headaches can include tumors, high blood pressure (when the arteries supplying blood to your head and neck are stiff), infections, and other health problems related to your head/brain. Because these types of headaches might actually be serious enough to be life-threatening if left untreated with a professional medical diagnosis in hand rather than just observed on one’s own over time considering all possibilities we want to make sure you’re aware that depending on which underlying condition you might have you should see your healthcare provider right away for concern purposes.

How can you overcome your headaches with the help of your Chiropractor? 

Chiropractors commonly offer relief for tension in the neck and head area, which can result in headaches. A special type of spinal manipulation known as an adjustment can provide relief for many headache sufferers, especially if performed immediately after the onset of a headache. Yet every person suffering from a headache is an individual case and may require special instructions or recommendations from their chiropractor. A chiropractor will ascertain the cause of the headaches, which are then treated accordingly with massages and other adjustments to prevent future headaches altogether. Even frequent headaches can negatively affect your productivity at home or work. Instead of reaching for painkillers, reach for relief that is safer and more effective than drugs: see our chiropractor here in North York near Yonge and Sheppard – Dr. Michael Rodney .

Here at the North York Madison Sports Injury Clinic we want to provide you with the best chiropractic care possible in North York. We offer many services from chiropractic adjustments, orthotics consolations, RMT, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology and Naturopathy. Make an appointment today!