With so many different ways to see a doctor online these days, there’s no reason not to seek professional medical advice when you’re experiencing a problem. However, there are always some symptoms we don’t think much about because of how often or seemingly meaningless they end up being.

For many, headaches are just a fact of life, but it’s essential to understand what exactly caused a headache in the first place because it can be a sign of something more serious. Here is an infographic detailing some of the kinds of headaches to keep an eye out for:

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are one of the most common kinds of headaches that you will experience. They are usually characterized by a dull ache that can be found all over your head. There shouldn’t be a throbbing sensation, though tension headaches can leave your scalp, neck, shoulders, and forehead feeling a little more sensitive than usual.

Generally, tension headaches result from stress and usually disappear when treated with over-the-counter pain medication.

Migraines

Perhaps one of the best-known headaches, a migraine is usually characterized by a deep, pulsing pain that emanates from deep within your brain. These kinds of headaches might be preceded by some other symptoms, like vision changes or tingling in one side of your face or a limb. However, if you have a history of migraines, you must seek medical attention if numbness or tingling are new symptoms because they overlap with symptoms of a stroke.

Migraines are complicated and can be influenced by a variety of factors. There’s evidence to suggest that they are influenced by genetics and environmental factors, like stress, different kinds of food, skipped meals, sleep disturbances, and other variables. Due to migraines’ complexity, it’s essential to work with your physician to develop a management plan that makes sense for your specific circumstances.

Thunderclap Headaches

With over 150 different kinds of headaches that could be causing you discomfort, there’s a wide range of potential problems that could be causing you pain. However, of all of them, never ignore a kind of headache known as a thunderclap.

Thunderclap headaches are characterized by severe, overwhelming pain. Many who experience thunderclap headaches describe the pain as being the worst they’ve ever experienced; it often comes out of nowhere and reaches its height very quickly.

These kinds of headaches can have many different causes, but they could be the only symptom you get of a severe underlying issue. For that reason, if you find yourself having a sudden headache that disappears quickly, contact your doctor immediately.

To find out more about headaches, or schedule a consultation with a primary care physician online, call the BreezeFast team today!