Headaches are one of the most common medical conditions, with 96% of people experiencing at least one in their lifetime, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
About 40% of people around the world suffer from what is known as “pressure headache” and about 10% suffer from migraines, the same source noted.
There are more than 150 different types of headaches, ranging from mild irritation to debilitating pain.
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For some, headaches can be misdiagnosed.
Actress Ashley Judd recently shared her story on Instagram about how her “headache” was misdiagnosed for eight years.
Headaches are one of the most common medical conditions, with 96% of people experiencing at least one in their lifetime. (Stock)
“During those eight years of misery I was treated at some of our best medical facilities, with medication for a headache I don’t have,” she wrote on Instagram in October.
His doctors eventually diagnosed his headache as a status migraine, which is a migraine attack lasting more than 72 hours.
What is a headache?
A headache is pain in the head, neck or face that is often described as a pressure sensation that varies in location, frequency and intensity, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“During those eight years of misery I was treated … with medicine for the kind of headache I don’t have.”
“Headaches are one of the most common symptoms that many people experience, which are often underestimated,” Dr. Fred Cohen, assistant professor of medicine and neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, told Fox. Digital News.
They are divided into two main categories – primary, which is caused by overactivity or inactivity in areas sensitive to headaches, or secondary, where an underlying medical condition is causing the pain, the Cleveland Clinic adds.
Actress Ashley Judd recently shared her story on Instagram about how her “headache” was misdiagnosed for eight years. (Getty Images)
Certain types of headaches may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a brain tumor or aneurysm, especially if the pain is sudden or severe, according to Cohen.
“This highlights the importance of a thorough examination to distinguish between primary headache and secondary causes, to ensure appropriate treatment and management,” he said.
6 common types of headaches
The three most common types are headaches, migraines and migraines, according to Cohen.
1. Headache
“Headaches are among the most common types and are what most people consider a ‘headache,'” Cohen said.
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Many describe the pain as a tight band around the head, usually caused by stress and muscle tension.
Treatment usually focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as reducing stress or doing physical therapy, but prescription medications may be used if headaches are persistent, notes Cohen.
2. Migraines
Migraines disproportionately affect women – up to 18% in the US – and are the leading cause of disability among women aged 18 to 50 worldwide, research has shown.
“Migraine is considered a neurological diseaseat multiple stages during the attack,” Cohen said.
Migraines disproportionately affect women – up to 18% in the US – and are the leading cause of disability among women aged 18 to 50 worldwide. (Stock)
People may have warning signs just before a headache, such as excessive yawning, increased hunger or watery eyes.
“Some people also experience an aura, a sensory phenomenon that can include visual disturbances — such as zig-zag lights or blind spots — or sensory changes, such as tingling or numbness,” Cohen said.
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Migraine causes “a throbbing or throbbing headache with sensitivity to light or sound and sometimes nausea,” notes Dr. Timothy A. Collins, chief of the Division of Headache and Pain at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
These symptoms usually last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, but migraine pain can last longer — from four hours to three days, Cohen noted.
Migrainous status is a migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours.
If the attack lasts longer than this, it is known as “status migrainosus,” which is what Judd experienced.
“Unfortunately, many people mistake migraines for ‘constant headaches,’ and are unaware of the many effective treatments available, including daily medications, supplements, monthly injections and Botox injections,” Cohen told Fox News Digital.
3. Group headache
A cluster headache, which is rare, causes severe, throbbing pain near one eye several times a day. The condition is “very disabling,” according to Collins.
Acute pain is associated with eye redness, tearing, facial flushing and nasal congestion.
The pain can be so severe that it can be mistaken for a brain aneurysm, notes Cohen.
“Cluster headaches usually last 15 minutes to three hours and often occur in cycles lasting days or weeks,” the expert said. (Stock)
“Cluster headaches typically last 15 minutes to three hours and often occur in cycles lasting days or weeks,” he said.
Cluster headaches are often misdiagnosed as migraines.
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The main difference between the two is that cluster headaches tend to occur in cycles, while most patients with migraines have headaches for several days in a row once a month, Collins said.
Treatment options for migraines include medications to stop migraine attacks and preventative medications to reduce the frequency of cycles, according to Cohen.
4. Recurring headache
People with headaches often take Over-the-counter (OTC) medications.such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to “abort” the headache, according to Healthline.
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But experts warn that regular use of these drugs may cause frequent headaches by causing withdrawal symptoms when not taken, the same source noted.
Experts warn that regular use of these medications may cause frequent headaches by causing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. (Stock)
People may also get headaches if they consume too much caffeine and miss their morning coffee or stop the drug suddenly.
5. Sinus headache
Sinus congestion due to allergies or infection can cause pain in the front of the head in the sinuses, according to Healthline.
The pain usually goes away after the sinus congestion is resolved.
6. Headache
Strenuous exercise can cause this type of headache by increasing blood flow to the brain, according to Healthline.
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Symptoms usually go away after a few minutes to hours, but if they last more than a few hours or have never been there before, it is better to get checked by a doctor, experts advise.
When to see a doctor
A “normal” headache does not cause loss of consciousness, confusion, slurred speech or weakness in one arm or leg, all of which can be signs of a stroke, experts say.
People should see a doctor if they have a headache that changes suddenly or comes on suddenly. (Stock)
People who experience any of the following warning signs should see a healthcare provider immediately or call 911 to rule out a more serious medical condition.
– The worst headache of your life
– Headache that changes suddenly or comes on suddenly
– Headache with vision problems (such as double vision)
– Fainting or losing consciousness with a headache
– Fever and stiff neck with nausea and vomiting and headache
– Headache after head injury
– Headache right after lifting weights, exercising or having sex
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Fox News Digital has reached out to Ashley Judd for comment.
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