A Heads Up On Headaches

While almost everyone gets an occasional headache that a pain reliever will take care of, more than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches or migraines. If you frequently suffer from headaches, the list below can help you determine the type of headache you have.

Tension headaches
The most common type, tension or muscle-contraction headaches produce mild or moderate pain. Tension headaches usually diminish or disappear with drug free ttreatments or over-the-counter medications.

Cluster headaches
These headaches are painful and disruptive, occurring in a series. The typical sufferer experiences one to five headaches a day, every day, for weeks or months. Approximately 85% of sufferers are men.

Common migraines
These cause pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual and neurological complications. Women are four times more likely than men to experience common migraines.

Classic migraines
These are shorter in duration than common migraines; they rarely last longer than 12 hours. Before the onset of pain, suffers might feel dizzy or numb on one side of the body, see rainbowlike colors, bright zigzag lines or blank spots.

Although painful, most headaches aren't serious. Some, however, can be an indication of a more serious medical condition. Consider making an appointment to see your physician if you develop any of these symptoms:

• Headaches that get stronger or more frequent
• Headaches that start appearing and recurring after age 40
• Headaches that disrupt your life, work or regular activities
• Headaches that have no pattern or trigger
• Headaches that coincide with other pain or medical problems
• Headaches accompanied by numbness, dizziness or blurred vision