Headaches

What Headache Types do you get?

There are different headaches a person can have. Brain tumors can result in frequent occurrence of these. Headache types include; 1) Migraines - Typical and Ocular (a Retinal Migraine), 2) Cluster, 3) Tension and 4) Sinus headaches.

1. Migraines

Migraines are an incapacitating combination of neurological symptoms that can last anywhere from a few hours to several days and can severely interfere with a person's life. Some of the following usually characterize migraines:

• Heavy or dull feeling of pounding, pulsating or throbbing in the head
• On only one or both sides of head
• Steady Ache
• Often accompanied by; Nausea, Vomiting, Sensitivity to Light or Sound, and/or Dizziness
  (Nausea from a migraine, unlike when the result of a stomach issue, will not be resolved with vomiting.)

1.1. Warning Symptoms (Auras)

Warning symptoms known as Aura may occur before or with a headache. These can include:

• Difficulty Speaking
• Hearing Noises or Music (Tinnitus)
• Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg
• Uncontrollable jerking or other movements
• Vision Loss
• Visual phenomena, such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light
• Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body

1.2. Treatment

There are two ways to approach the treatment of a migraine headache with drugs; 1) Relieve the Symptoms during the attacks, or 2) Prevent the Attacks. Migraines options should be discussed with your doctor.

Relieve the Symptoms: Non-prescription medicines also known as Over the Counter (OTC) medicines do not always help. Talk to your doctor about possible prescription options to take as needed. It is important to know side effects of OTC's since many can relieve some of the migraine symptoms but increase others.

Prevent the Attacks - Migraine triggers include:

• Anxiety or Stress: For many people, treatments to relieve stress can also help reduce migraine occurrences.
• Lack of food or sleep
• Dehydration
• Exposure to light
Hormonal changes (in women)

2. Ocular Migraine (Retinal Migraine)

An Ocular Migraine (Retinal Migraine) is a Migraine Aura that involves your vision in one or both eyes and may b the result of brain tumor pressure or Papilledema.

These headaches are the typically the result of a serious condition and should be discussed with a Neurologist as soon after the incident as possible. So if you experience visual loss in one eye, be sure to see an eye specialist and Neurologist.

Symptoms Include:

• Flashes of light
• Zigzagging patterns
• Blind spots
• Shimmering spots or stars

Ocular Migraines can also include some of the same symptoms of a typical migraine, is an issue to see a doctor about since delay in management can result in Permanent Blindness.

3. Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are your common, everyday headaches and can feel like there is a band being squeezed around your head, causing a dull ache on both sides. They're also sometimes associated with neck and shoulder stiffness. Tension headaches are either episodic in frequency, meaning they strike sporadically, or chronic, meaning they occur daily or almost daily.

4. Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are commonly recognized as one of the most painful types of headaches. Cluster headaches cause intense, excruciating pain on one side of the head, often around the eye, though sometimes affecting the nose and other areas of the face, too. Tears or a runny nose can be common. Pain comes on suddenly and can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to three hours. Attacks occur daily in clusters - hence the name - of weeks or months, and then go into remission for months to years.

5. Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches are commonly the result of;

• a Sold or Sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the sinuses
• a Nasal Infection from bacteria
  Sinusitis results in air-filled spaces behind your; forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes.
• a Tumor is causing pressure that may be damaging to; 1) any part of the Sinuses, 2) Facial Nerve (CN7), or 3) Trigeminal Nerve (CN5).

Sinus headaches are characterized by deep and constant pressure-like pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. This pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining and is usually accompanied by symptoms such as fever, runny nose, and clogged ears.

Sources

• Excedrin. Headache Types. https://www.excedrin.com
• Mayo Clinic. Migraine Headache. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/home/ovc-20202432