About Headaches
More than 45 million Americans experience pain from chronic, recurring headaches, and 28 million of these people suffer from migraines. It doesn’t stop in your head, though. Those who suffer from chronic headaches also may experience restricted movement and emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression, and migraines are often associated with a range of other symptoms. Jennifer Kriegler, MD, a specialist in headache and pain management, discusses headaches and explains what you can do to find relief.
What Causes Headaches?
Headache pain results from signals that interact between the brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves. During a headache, specific nerves are activated, sending pain signals to the brain. It is not clear why these signals are activated.
Primary headaches – those not associated with another medical or neurological disorder – can be the result of stress, poor sleep habits, improper eating habits, eye strain, poor posture, heredity and a multitude of other factors. Other headaches – called secondary headaches – stem from other medical conditions or neurological disorders, ranging from colds and hormonal changes to trauma and even tumors.
What are the Most Common Types of Headaches?
Jennifer Kriegler, MD
Center for Headache and Pain
Headaches are categorized as primary and secondary. Primary headaches include tension-type headaches and migraines.
Tension-type headaches are the most common type found in adults, accounting for about 90 percent of all headaches diagnosed. They are thought to be caused by tightened muscles in the back of the neck and scalp and are usually triggered by some type of environmental or internal stress.
Migraines are the second most common type of headache. They are related to inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain. The pain is often described as “pounding” or “throbbing” and usually occurs one to four times per month. These headaches are often associated with other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, sound or smell, and nausea.
Secondary headaches include hormone headaches and sinus headaches. Hormone headaches are a common occurrence in women and are associated with the changing estrogen levels that occur during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Sinus headaches cause a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain often occurs alongside other symptoms, such as nasal drainage, facial swelling, fever and fullness in the ears.
What Does it Mean to Have a “Chronic” Headache?
Patients with chronic headaches experience headache pain for at least 15 days per month for at least six months. Chronic headaches are sometimes so severe that they can keep patients from taking part in daily activities, and cause them to experience muscle deconditioning, restricted head and neck movement, depression and anxiety.
Those who suffer from chronic headaches often experience secondary problems as well, such as muscle deconditioning and restricted head and neck movement. Psychological impairment, such as depression and anxiety, can lead to social isolation.
What Does Cleveland Clinic do for Patients with Chronic Headaches?
Staff members at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Headache and Pain have developed a comprehensive treatment program that helps patients with chronic headaches decrease the severity of their pain, while increasing function and improving mood. The Interdisciplinary Method for Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Headache (IMATCH) is a three-week, full-day program that brings together specialists in neurology, psychology and physical therapy.
To learn more about IMATC H or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kriegler or any of our headache specialists, call 800.884.9551. If calling from outside of the United States, call 001.631.439.1578.
