I have been thinking of writing this hub for a while but wasn't quite sure how I wanted to go about it. I knew I wanted to write something about headaches.

     I have suffered from headaches for as long as I can remember. I had headaches all through adolescence, through my teen years and now as an adult. The severity and type varies, but I have never gone completely headache free. I get sinus and tension headaches and migraines for the most part with an occasional cluster headache. I was diagnosed with migraines at the age of thirteen and have suffered with them ever since. At this point, I pretty much have it down to a science. I know what kind of headache I am getting or having and know how to get rid of and, sometimes, prevent them.

     I knew there would be a lot of information I would want to include in a headache/migraine hub, so I decided this one will have to be another two-parter. Part one, this hub, will discuss the three types of headaches I suffer from most often. Tension headaches, sinus headaches and migraines. I will define them each and discuss symptoms and treatment options. The second part, My Life With Migraines, will discuss my own personal experiences with migraines and how I have dealt with them over the years.

    Tension headaches are generally caused by tension in the muscles around the head and/or neck as well as tension caused by stress. The pain is localized in the forehead, temples and neck, causing a tight or stiff feeling and the head can feel as if it is in a vice or cast, being squeezed. Pain is most often a mild to moderate throbbing pain, but can also be severe.

    Tension headaches are most often the result of stress. Physical actions associated with being stressed are what is thought to cause the majority of tension headaches. Stiffening of the body, mostly the neck, as well as clenching of the jaw are obvious causes. There are also some lesser known attributes as well, including: eye strain, arthritis, poor posture or lighting, misaligned teeth or jaws, sleep deprivation, caffeine withdrawal and anxiety or depression.

    Treatment of tension headaches can include taking medicines such as NSAIDs or muscle relaxants. They can also be treated without medicine. Depending on the severity or the pain, chiropractic manipulation, soft tissue therapy and relaxation techniques may be helpful.

    Sinus headachesare characterized by pain in middle of forehead and behind cheekbones, under eyes, and around the bridge of the nose. The pain is caused by inflammation in the sinus cavity due to allergies, infection, or in rare cases, a tumor.

    Sinus headachesare associated with sinusitis which causes pain in four areas; Maxillary (cheek), Frontal (frontal cavity behind/above the eyes), Ethmoid (between/behind the eyes). and Sphenoid (behind the eyes and vertex of the head).

    Sinus headaches are usually treated with OTC medicines, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Sudafed. Pain can range from mild to severe.

     Migraine headachesgenerally begin as a dull ache that progresses into a constant severe pain. Pain is usually felt at temples on one side of the head. Pain is usually accompanied with nausea or vomiting and a sensitivity to light and sound.

     Length of time a migraine can last, varies upon the person. Some can last hours or even weeks and can be debilitating. Migraines can cause vision problems during the headache, including, but not limited to, jagged or wavy lines or dots in front of the eyes or blind spots in one or both eyes. These migraines with aura, a manifestation of neurological symptoms, can causes changes to all five senses. Sense of smell can be heightened or sensitive and some may feel a tingling or numbing sensation in the body. There are various specific types of migraines, all with the same general symptoms and characteristics but each with other specific differences.

     Migrainesare thought to be caused by several factors. Some of these factors include caffeine, lack of or oversleep, alcohol, chocolate, hormonal changes, fatigue and dehydration.  Treatment options vary by person and can include preventative medicines as well. Some of these options are Beta-Blockers, Calcium-Channel Blockers, Anti epilepsy medication, NSAIDs, Anti-depressants as well as certain over the counter medications and acute abortives.  Follow this link for a list of medicines that fall under each category.

*Please keep in mind, that all medicines can have side effects and if you are curious about any of the medications listed, you should consult your doctor.