Contents
Headache (headache)
Headache: what is it?
Headaches (headaches) are very common pains felt in the cranial box.
The different headaches
There are several types of headaches, the vast majority of which present with the following syndromes:
- Tension headaches, which also includes chronic daily headaches.
- Migraines.
- Cluster headache (Horton’s headache).
Tension headache, by far the most common headache, is experienced as local tension in the skull and is often related to stress or anxiety, lack of sleep, hunger or abuse. alcohol.
Tension headaches
According to the International Headache Society, there are three types of tension headaches:
Infrequent headache episodes
Less than 12 episodes per year, each episode lasting from 30 minutes up to 7 days.
Frequent headache episodes
Average 1 to 14 episodes per month, each episode lasting from 30 minutes up to 7 days.
Chronic daily headaches
They are felt at least 15 days a month, for at least 3 months. The headache can last for several hours, often continuously.
Migraine or tension headache?Migraine is a special form of headache. It is manifested by attacks of intensity ranging from mild to very intense pain, which can last from a few hours to several days. A migraine attack often begins with pain that is felt on only one side of the head or localized near one eye. The pain is often felt as a pulsation in the cranium, and is made worse by light and noise (and sometimes smells). Migraine can also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The exact causes of migraine are still poorly understood. Certain factors, such as hormonal changes or certain foods are identified as triggers. Women are 3 times more affected by migraine than men. |
Cluster headache (Horton’s headache) is characterized by frequent, brief, but extremely intense headaches occurring mostly at night. The pain is felt around one eye and then spreads into the face, but always unilaterally and always on the same side. Episodes can last from 30 minutes to 3 hours, several times a day, lasting a few weeks to several months. This type of headache is more common in men and fortunately rare.
Warning. There are many other causes of a headache, some of which can be signs of serious illness. A doctor should be consulted in case of sudden and severe headache. |
Prevalence
In industrialized countries, tension headaches are thought to affect around 2 in 3 adult men and more than 80% of women. Typically, up to 1 in 20 adults suffer from a headache every day *.
Cluster pain in the face affects people 20 years of age or older and affects less than 1000 in XNUMX adults.
*WHO data (2004)