Headache and Migraine Care

A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It’s a neurological condition that can cause severe, throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, though it can affect both sides. Migraines usually last 4 to 72 hours and can seriously disrupt daily life. Migraine is a very common cause of recurring headaches and affects up to 20% of the population.

Triggers for migraine can include stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, weather changes, among other factors.

Symptoms of migraine

Migraine symptoms include:

• Intense, pulsating headache pain
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smell

Some people also experience an aura — a set of warning signs that happen before or during the migraine. These might include:

• Flashes of light or zigzag lines
• Tingling in the face or hands
• Trouble speaking or focusing

Treatment for migraine

Migraine treatment may involve:

• Medications to stop or reduce symptoms (prescription or over-the-counter)
• Preventive medications if migraines are frequent
• Lifestyle changes

Tension headache typically feels like pressure or tightness, often described as a "band" squeezing the head, especially around the forehead or the back of the head and neck. A tension headache is usually not bad enough to require medical care, although many headache specialists believe that severe “tension headaches” are likely migraines.

Symptoms of tension headache

Tension headache symptoms may include:

• Mild to moderate pain 
• A feeling of pressure or tightness 
• Pain that usually affects both sides of the head

Tension headaches do not cause nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light or sound.

Treatment for tension headache

Tension headache treatment may involve:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation, yoga)
• Regular exercise and good posture
• Adequate hydration and sleep

A cluster headache is one of the most painful types of headaches. It causes sudden, severe pain, usually around or behind one eye, and comes in "clusters” meaning it happens daily for weeks, then disappears for many months. Cluster headaches are not common but are more likely to affect men and typically begin between the ages of 20 and 50. The cause isn’t fully understood but may be related to the body’s biological clock and changes in the brain’s hypothalamus.

Symptoms of cluster headache

Cluster headache symptoms may include:

• Excruciating, burning or stabbing pain on one side of the head or behind one eye
• Pain that often begins suddenly and peaks within minutes
• Pain that may last 15 minutes to 3 hours
• Pain that happens one to eight times a day, often at the same time each day or night
• Restlessness or agitation 
• Red, watery eye on the affected side
• Drooping eyelid
• Runny or stuffy nose

Treatment for cluster headache

Cluster headache treatment may involve:

• Fast-acting treatments like oxygen therapy or injectable medications
• Preventive treatments to reduce how often they occur
• Avoiding triggers like alcohol during cluster periods