10 Types of Headaches You Didn’t Know Existed (And How to Fix Them)
Headaches are an incredibly common ailment, but not all headaches are created equal. While tension headaches and migraines are the most common, there’s a whole range of lesser-known headache types with unique symptoms and triggers. Let’s dive in!
1. Hypnic Headaches
- What they are: Often called “alarm clock headaches,” these occur exclusively during sleep, usually waking you from a deep slumber. They’re more frequent in older adults and tend to be short but intense.
- Possible causes: While the exact cause is unclear, hypnic headaches may be linked to changes in brain activity during sleep.
- How to fix them: Doctors might recommend caffeine before bed (surprisingly!) or lithium to help reduce the frequency and severity of these headaches.
2. Ice Pick Headaches
- What they are: These feature short, sharp, stabbing pains that feel like an ice pick is being driven into a specific spot on your head. The pain is sudden and usually lasts only a few seconds.
- Possible causes: While not fully understood, ice pick headaches might be related to nerve irritation or inflammation.
- How to fix them: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may offer relief. Doctors may sometimes prescribe stronger medications that target nerve pain.
3. Thunderclap Headaches
- What they are: True to their name, thunderclap headaches strike quickly and with excruciating intensity. This pain typically peaks within a minute.
- Possible causes: Thunderclap headaches are a medical emergency! They can signal serious conditions like bleeding in the brain, a brain aneurysm, or meningitis. Get medical help immediately.
- How to fix them: Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If a serious condition is present, it requires urgent attention.
4. Hemicrania Continua
- What they are: This is a one-sided headache that’s continuous with fluctuating intensity. There might be periods of more severe pain along with other symptoms like a runny nose or a droopy eyelid.
- Possible causes: The cause isn’t entirely understood, but inflammation may play a role.
- How to fix them: The anti-inflammatory medication indomethacin is often highly effective for hemicrania continua.
5. Cough Headaches
- What they are: Brought on by coughing, sneezing, straining, or laughing hard, these headaches are sudden and intensely painful, though usually short-lived.
- Possible causes: Structural issues within the skull or conditions like Chiari malformation can make people susceptible to cough headaches.
- How to fix them: Treatment will target the underlying cause if one is found. In some cases, medication may be sufficient to manage the pain.
6. Sex Headaches
- What they are: There are two types – a dull ache that builds with sexual excitement and a sudden, explosive headache just before or during orgasm.
- Possible causes: The exact causes are being investigated. Muscle contractions in the head and neck, along with changes in blood flow, may be to blame.
- How to fix them: Taking NSAIDs prior to sexual activity can be preventive. For persistent cases, doctors might prescribe other medications.
7. New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH)
- What they are: These headaches come on suddenly and stick around, becoming a daily presence for at least three months. Pain can be one-sided or on both sides.
- Possible causes: Sometimes NDPH is triggered after an infection, stressful event, or minor head injury. However, often, there’s no identifiable cause.
- How to fix them: Treatment is challenging. A combination of medications, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy may be recommended.
8. External Compression Headaches
- What they are: Caused by sustained pressure on the forehead or scalp, often from wearing something tight like a headband, goggles, or a helmet.
- Possible causes: Simple – it’s the pressure!
- How to fix them: Easy! Remove the source of pressure, and the headache should fade.
9. High-Altitude Headaches
- What they are: Experienced at heights above 8,000 feet, these headaches are throbbing and often worsened by exertion. Nausea and fatigue can accompany them.
- Possible causes: Lack of oxygen at high altitudes can disrupt normal body function, leading to headaches.
- How to fix them: The best treatment is descending to a lower altitude. Over-the-counter pain relief and medications for altitude sickness can also help.
10. Medication Overuse Headaches
- What they are: Ironically, taking too many pain relief medications for headaches can lead to a worsening cycle known as a “rebound” headache. These are often daily and present upon waking.
- Possible causes: Frequent use of pain medications can alter the brain’s pain pathways, making it more sensitive over time.
- How to fix them: This is tricky! The solution is to gradually reduce or stop using the overused medication, but this can trigger withdrawal. A doctor’s guidance is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Could my diet be triggering headaches? A: Absolutely! Foods containing tyramine (like aged cheese), nitrates (processed meats), MSG, and even chocolate are common triggers, especially for migraines. A food diary helps track this.
- Q: Can stress cause unusual headaches? A: Definitely. Stress can trigger both tension headaches and migraines, but it can also play a role in less common types. Stress management is vital.
- Q: When should I see a doctor about my headaches? A: Consult a doctor if your headaches are severe, have a change in pattern, don’t respond to usual treatment, or accompany other symptoms like fever, confusion, or vision changes.
Summary
Headaches come in far more varieties than most people realize. Here’s what to keep in mind to help a doctor with a diagnosis and get toward treatment:
- Location: Where in your head is the pain? One side, all over, etc.?
- Intensity: Mild, moderate, or excruciating?
- Type of pain: Throbbing, stabbing, pressure-like, etc.?
- Triggers: What seems to bring them on (foods, situations, activities)?
- Other symptoms: Do nausea, vision changes, numbness, etc., accompany the headache?
