Tension, Cluster and Migraine Headache(s) Compared

Almost everyone experiences a headache or two, or three . . . at some point in their lifetime. Cause of headaches do differ and thus relief management differs as well. A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are extremely rare.

Most people with headaches can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and occasionally by taking medications.

Tension Headaches
A tension headache is a condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas. Tension headaches are due to tight, contracted muscles in your:

  • jaw
  • neck
  • scalp
  • shoulders

They are often related to stress, depression or anxiety.

Overworking, not getting enough sleep, missing meals, and using alcohol or street drugs can make you more susceptible to tension headaches.

Tension headaches can be triggered by:

People who drink caffeine can have headaches when they don’t get their usual daily dosage.

Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are sharp, extremely painful headaches that tend to occur several times per day for months and then go away for a similar period. They are far less common. Cluster headaches are a fairly common form of chronic, recurrent headaches. Unlike migraines, they affect men more often than women.

A cluster headache begins as a severe, sudden headache. No specific cause has been found for the disorder, but it appears to be related to a sudden release of histamine or serotonin by body tissues.

Migraine Headaches
A migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and/or very sensitivity to light and sound. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head, mostly in the front around the temples or behind one eye or ear.

Migraine can occur any time of the day, though it often starts in the morning. The pain can last a few hours or up to one or two days. Here is more detailed info on migraine headaches.

Some of you may feel a noticeable relief from your type of headache with some generalized stress management techniques.

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