5 unusual headaches: Signs to watch for and what to do
Headaches come in a lot of different varieties and some are recognizable. A migraine typically causes throbbing, pounding pain that lasts for hours on one side of the head. A tension headache usually feels like someone is tightening a band around your head. A sinus headache usually appears on one side of the face, behind the nose, or above one eye.
While these headaches are easy to understand where they come from and their symptoms, some others are not. Let’s look at 5 different headaches and what you should do if you are experiencing one.
5 Unusual Headaches and What You Should Do
When a less familiar headache shows up, the symptoms can be puzzling and even frightening. Here are 5 unusual headaches.
Orgasmic Headache - Some people experience the sudden onset of severe head pain similar to that of a thunderclap headache just before or at the time of sexual orgasm. Although no underlying problem is usually found, it should prompt a call to your doctor to be sure.
Ice-Pick Headache - These types of headaches often have the characteristics of sudden, sharp, and stabbing pain. Ice-pick headaches are so quick that they’re over long before any medication could take effect. This type of headache generally affects people who already suffer from migraines or cluster headaches.
New Daily Persistent Headache - Doctors call this headache “new” because it develops in a person who has not had problems with headaches before. The onset is sudden enough that you’ll often remember exactly when it began. It is “daily” and “persistent” because it then lingers indefinitely, and can mimic either a migraine or tension headache.
Paroxysmal Hemicrania - Like cluster headaches, paroxysmal hemicranias last for a while. But the periods are shorter (10 to 30 minutes) and more frequent (five to 15 times per day). The condition is considered different from cluster headaches, as each headache type responds differently to various medications.
Weekend Headache - These headaches are often caused by caffeine withdrawal. his type of headache often begins 12 to 24 hours after your last sip of coffee and is likely to develop on weekends, when you delay your first cup of the day or skip coffee entirely. You can identify this type of headache by tracking your caffeine intake from weekdays to weekends.
Treating Your Headaches in Maryland
Take note of your symptoms when a headache occurs. If it’s sudden and intense, like a thunderclap headache, it could signal bleeding inside the head. Seek emergency medical attention.
Bowie Internal Medicine is committed to treating any conditions you may have, as well as preventing further health complications through preventative care. For more information about managing your headaches, please contact our office to schedule an appointment or ask any questions.