Naples Chiropractic – From the desk of Dr Bradley Frick.
There are 5 basic types of headaches
Tension Headaches the most common type, feel like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. Not as severe as migraines, they don’t usually cause nausea or vomiting, and they rarely halt daily activities
Cluster headaches, which affect more men than women, are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. They appear suddenly and are characterized by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head, and are often accompanied by a watery eye and nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side of the face. During an attack, people often feel restless and unable to get comfortable; they are unlikely to lie down, as someone with a migraine might. The cause is unknown, but there may be a genetic component. There is no cure, but medication can cut the frequency and duration.
Sinus Headache, When a sinus becomes inflamed, often due to an infection, it can cause pain. It usually comes with a fever and can be diagnosed by symptoms or the presence of pus viewed through a fiber-optic scope. Headaches due to sinus infection can be treated with antibiotics, as well as antihistamines or decongestants.
Rebound Headache, Overuse of painkillers for headaches can, ironically, lead to rebound headaches. Culprits include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), as well as prescription drugs. One theory is that too much medication can cause the brain to shift into an excited state, triggering more headaches. Another is that rebound headaches are a symptom of withdrawal as the level of medicine drops in the bloodstream.
Migraine Headache, Migraines can run in families and are diagnosed using certain criteria. This is the most common misdiagnosed type of headache.
• At least five previous episodes of headaches
• Lasting between 4–72 hours
• At least two out of these four: one-sided pain, throbbing pain, moderate-to-severe pain, and pain that interferes with, is worsened by, or prohibits routine activity • At least one associated feature: nausea and/or vomiting, or, if those are not present, then sensitivity to light and sound
A migraine may be foreshadowed by aura, such as visual distortions or hand numbness. (About 15% to 20% of people with migraines experience these.)
Headaches overview – You may be surprised by what could be to blame. Take a look at your personality traits, weight, daily schedule, and what you’re eating and drinking to find out if one of these is contributing to the problem. Chiropratically there are many muscles involved in the upper thoracic spine, complete cervical spine that can cause or exacerbate headache symptoms. This includes any restriced mobility of the veterbrae in the same areas.
Make an appointment and talk to us about your headached issues and let us help you improve your daily life.