{"id":720,"date":"2023-01-24T06:39:48","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T06:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=720"},"modified":"2023-01-26T06:42:53","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T06:42:53","slug":"what-are-headaches-types-prevention-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/headache-medications\/what-are-headaches-types-prevention-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Headaches? Types, Prevention, and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Many different medical conditions have headache as a symptom.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The majority of headaches are classified as primary, meaning they have no clear underlying cause.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Most headaches can be prevented and managed with medication.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Understanding medication types and availability can help you find the lowest price for headache medication.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone gets headaches, for a wide variety of reasons. Yet there are many types of headache, and they\u2019re treated differently. There are several ways to classify headaches, but the most common are primary vs. secondary headaches and acute vs. chronic headaches. While primary headaches have no clear underlying cause, secondary headaches are caused by a specific health condition. Both can be treated effectively in most cases \u2014 with the right medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Are Headaches?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the layman, a headache has an obvious definition, but for a doctor, it\u2019s more complicated. Medically speaking, there are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ichd-3.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many types of headache<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ranging from relatively harmless to symptoms of serious disease. In order to better sort out which headaches indicate a potential problem and which don\u2019t, doctors use a few basic classifications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Primary vs. Secondary Headaches<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With primary headaches, the headache is the main symptom of the disorder and there\u2019s no obvious underlying cause. Primary headaches make up the majority of diagnosed headaches. Primary headaches may also have secondary causes or aggravating factors, and addressing them can help with headache prevention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/014556131309200607\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one case study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a man experiencing cluster headaches had a wisdom tooth removed, which drastically reduced symptom frequency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When there is a clear cause for a headache, it is classified as secondary, and treating that cause can resolve the headache. If you have allergies, for example, you\u2019ve likely experienced a sinus headache and treated it with allergy medication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondary headaches can also have a cause elsewhere in the body. For example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30301194\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an analysis of studies in 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that people with celiac disease were more likely to experience headaches than people without it. Treating the condition will often resolve the headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Chronic vs. Episodic Headaches<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An episodic headache is a headache that occurs a few times in a given month. A migraine that happens up to four times a month, for example, would be characterized as episodic, or acute. One that happens more frequently is usually diagnosed as chronic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-728\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2.jpeg-50.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in bed holding her head\" width=\"512\" height=\"342\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>New Headaches<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An old headache is a secondary or primary headache with a known cause that you\u2019ve had for an extended period of time. If you\u2019re prone to migraines and get a headache, for example, it\u2019s likely related to the migraine. However, if your headache pattern changes, you should seek medical attention because it may be a symptom of another problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new headache usually happens suddenly and doesn\u2019t have an obvious cause. If you experience a headache that\u2019s new to you, especially if you\u2019re over age 50, see a doctor immediately. It could be a sign of a more serious problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other red flags that should prompt a visit with your primary provider include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sudden onset of a painful headache, called a thunderclap headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase in frequency and\/or severity, especially a change from episodic to chronic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of infection, such as flu-like symptoms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possibility of immunocompromise, known or unknown<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Papilledema (swelling of the optical disc)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent head injury<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inability to move one or more limbs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personality changes, changes in mental competence, or difficulty staying conscious<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exertion triggers, including coughing, exercise, and sex<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">None of these is necessarily a sign of a more serious issue. For example, a primary sex headache, where the sufferer begins to experience a headache during sex, is a rare but documented headache type. Still, it\u2019s a good idea to get checked out to get proper treatment and rule out a more dangerous illness.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Types of Headache<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-727\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/3.jpeg-47.jpg\" alt=\"Man holding the sides of his head\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Migraine Headache<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migraine is a neurological disorder causing recurring headaches that usually occur on one side of the head and feel pulsating, or throbbing. An estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6350784\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 percent of the global population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> experience migraine headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Migraine Causes<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The causes of migraine are unknown, but they are suspected to have a strong genetic component and can be caused or aggravated by environmental factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Migraine Symptoms<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migraine is generally much more than a headache. Beyond the headache itself, people with migraine can experience:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sensitivity to external stimulus like lights or smells<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual disturbances such as aura<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migraines can last anywhere from hours to days, and many people experience a migraine \u201changover\u201d that can last for a day or two after the headache itself is gone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Migraine Risk Factors<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The complexity of migraine as an illness makes isolating any one risk factor difficult. There does appear to be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2779399\/pdf\/10194_2007_Article_427.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a genetic component<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but genetics don\u2019t appear to be the sole factor, and even twins who both get migraine can get different forms of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another risk factor for migraine is triggers you might not be aware of. While the list of triggers is broad, some common ones include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caffeine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intense lights, sounds, or smells<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in sleep patterns<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intense exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in barometric pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hormone-based medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aged cheeses\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salty or heavily processed foods\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in eating schedules<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone has different triggers, and sorting out yours might be difficult. Keeping <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/migrainetrust.org\/live-with-migraine\/self-management\/keeping-a-migraine-diary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a migraine diary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help isolate them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/4.jpeg-21.jpg\" alt=\"Woman touching her forehead\" width=\"512\" height=\"342\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4>Migraine Complications<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migraine with aura <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2768778\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may raise your risk of stroke<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There\u2019s also a risk that occasional migraines may become more frequent over time, sometimes called chronification in the literature.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Migraine Treatment<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migraines are generally treated with medication. Abortive medication for headaches prevent migraines as they occur, while preventatives limit the severity and frequency of migraines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common prescription medication for migraines include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/cons\/sumatriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sumatriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Imitrex\/Sumavel)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/eletriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eletriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Relpax)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/rizatriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rizatriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Maxalt)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/zolmitriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zolmitriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Zomig)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/frovatriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frovatriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Frova)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/almotriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almotriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Axert)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/naratriptan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naratriptan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Amerge)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/ergotamine.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ergotamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Ergomar)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/dihydroergotamine-injection.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dihydroergotamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Migranal\/Migergot)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/lasmiditan.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lasmiditan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Reyvow)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Tension-type Headache (TTH)<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tension headaches cause a pressing or tightening pain that radiates from the various muscle groups that affect both sides of the head, such as the eyes or upper neck. It\u2019s believed that TTH is the most common form of headache.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Tension Headache Causes<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress is the most common cause of tension headaches. Using certain muscle groups, like the eyes, for extended periods can also be a trigger. Some neurotransmitters <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1032614\/pdf\/jnnpsyc00559-0118.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as serotonin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been implicated in their frequency and severity and can be managed with antidepressants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Tension Headache Symptoms<br \/>\nTTH is usually diagnosed using the following criteria:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A duration of anywhere from 30 minutes to seven days<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain on both sides of the head<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pressing or tightening feeling, with no throbbing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Either mild or moderate intensity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unaffected by light physical activity, like walking a short distance or climbing a set of stairs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of nausea or vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presence of light sensitivity or sound sensitivity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Tension Headache Risk Factors<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While tension headaches can have a number of causes, the most commonly reported are stress and anxiety. Younger people, people with other health issues, and lack of sleep can also trigger headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-725\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5.jpeg-4.jpg\" alt=\"Man with a headache\" width=\"512\" height=\"342\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4>Tension Headache Complications<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are few reported complications from tension headaches. Frequent attacks may indicate the need to reduce stress or point to chronic dehydration, highlighting that tension headaches can be a symptom of other problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Tension Headache Treatment<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antidepressants can be prescribed to help manage TTH if it happens more than 15 times a month. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are most commonly used. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/amitriptyline.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amitriptyline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is first-line TCA treatment, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mirtazapine.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mirtazapine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/venlafaxine.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">venlafaxine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are often prescribed if amitriptyline is ineffective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For less frequent tension headaches, drinking water and gentle neck and shoulder stretching are usually the first line of treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Cluster Headaches<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/6.jpeg-4.jpg\" alt=\"Woman rubbing her forehead\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cluster headaches are severe, recurring headaches that usually happen around the eyes. They usually last from 15 minutes to three hours, and are called cluster headaches because they can happen one after another over a period of days, weeks, months, or even years. They\u2019re sometimes called alarm clock headaches because they can happen at the same time of day repeatedly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Cluster Headache Causes<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The causes of cluster headaches are unknown, although genetics and exposure to certain triggers may play roles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several triggers for cluster headaches, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nitroglycerin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Histamines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daytime sleeping<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cluster Headache Symptoms<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cluster headaches often come with secondary symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nasal congestions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watering eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling around the eye where the headache is felt<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drooping eyelid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constricted pupils<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redness in the conjunctivae<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cluster Headache Risk Factors<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family history appears to be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7644512\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the primary driver<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for developing cluster headaches. Tobacco use might <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8053542\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cause earlier onset<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and affect the frequency of cluster headaches, but smoking isn\u2019t currently considered a primary cause.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Cluster Headache Complications<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There do not currently seem to be any long-term complications from cluster headaches, although their frequency can interfere with daily life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Cluster Headache Treatment<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medication for cluster headaches includes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/verapamil.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">verapamil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a calcium channel blocker, paired with steroids to limit short-term symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Headache Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/7.jpeg-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sick woman on a couch\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to the wide range of headache types, they\u2019re generally diagnosed using the differential method, meaning that your doctor will arrive at a diagnosis after ruling out other potential causes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re concerned about a headache, contact your doctor with the following information:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Type of pain.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Different types of pain point toward different possible causes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Any recent diagnoses.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Headaches can be tied to a wide range of seemingly unrelated conditions, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ichd-3.org\/11-headache-or-facial-pain-attributed-to-disorder-of-the-cranium-neck-eyes-ears-nose-sinuses-teeth-mouth-or-other-facial-or-cervical-structure\/11-3-headache-attributed-to-disorder-of-the-eyes\/11-3-1-headache-attributed-to-acute-glaucoma\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glaucoma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ichd-3.org\/10-headache-attributed-to-disorder-of-homoeostasis\/10-3-headache-attributed-to-arterial-hypertension\/10-3-2-headache-attributed-to-hypertensive-crisis-without-hypertensive-encephalopathy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high blood pressure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Date and time of onset.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you always have a headache at a certain time, such as when you wake up in the morning, or it\u2019s a new headache that began around a certain date or related to a particular event, that knowledge can assist with diagnosis.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Headache Treatment<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While different types of headaches can have more specific treatments, there are some general steps you can take to manage headache overall.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Find possible headache triggers.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A detailed headache diary can help you identify triggers and avoid them as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Drink water regularly.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dehydration contributes to headache severity and intensity, especially if headache is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8280611\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a symptom of another condition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Monitor your medication intake.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you\u2019re taking medicine regularly to treat your headaches, including over-the-counter drugs, it may increase the severity or frequency of your headaches. Speak with your doctor about your intake and weaning yourself off the medication.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maintain a healthy sleep schedule.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lack of sleep can aggravate headaches and is a potential trigger itself.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eat a healthy diet on a regular schedule.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Avoid skipping meals, and track meals to avoid trigger foods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Get regular aerobic exercise.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Exercise is generally recommended, and even brief daily walks can help with overall well-being and mood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Manage stress.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Stress is one of the most common triggers for all forms of headache; stress management techniques can help keep it in check.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Track your caffeine intake. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caffeine can both cause and abort headaches. The role it plays in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7468766\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some forms of headache<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems to vary by individual and dose. Keep an eye on your caffeine intake to get a sense of whether it\u2019s helpful or a trigger for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Find The Lowest Price for Headache Medication<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re managing any form of headache, finding the right medication for headaches at the right price shouldn\u2019t be part of the problem. BidRX helps you find the lowest price for your headache medication by putting your prescription up to bid for pharmacies across the country, including specialty pharmacies and local businesses. Just pick your bid and have it shipped to your door, or pick it up locally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To see how BidRx can help, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our medications page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and find your headache medications to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highlights Many different medical conditions have headache as a symptom.\u00a0 The majority of headaches are&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":722,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-headache-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=720"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":730,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/720\/revisions\/730"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}