“More than 300 types of headache have been described”, explains Dr. Dominique Valade, neurologist and specialist in headaches. In 90% of cases, it is a simple headache or migraine. But it can also be other more violent or more serious headaches, fortunately less frequent. Identifying precisely what headache you are suffering from is crucial to being treated effectively. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), only 40% of migraine sufferers know that they suffer from migraines.
Important signs to look out for
The diagnosis is based on the characteristics of the pain. Hence the many questions asked by the doctor: “How long have you had a headache? How often do you have headaches? Is the pain on one side or both? Do you have nausea or vomiting?…”, illustrates Dr. Valade. Indeed, headaches are not characterized by any anomaly in medical imaging, nor by a change in temperature or blood. Complementary examinations (scanners, blood tests, etc.) are therefore of no help.
You only have pain on one side
A migrainemost often: the pain is aggravated by effort, with the feeling of feeling his heart beating in his head, vomiting or nausea and/or discomfort with light or noise.
sinusitis : pain is localized in the forehead or at the back of the nasal passages, with congestion (hot and red skin) due to the infection. Associated signs: runny nose, fever…
You suffer in the whole head
A headache : the pain is mild to moderate in a vice, on both sides of the head, without nausea. It is most often a tension headachecaused by stress and/or fatigue.
A ruptured aneurysm : the pain, of sudden onset, is immediately very intense. It is extremely rare, but if you have never – or almost never – felt such a headache, it is an absolute emergency.
Pain is felt around the eye
A migraine with aura : the pain, concentrated on one side, is preceded by visual disturbances (bright spots, loss of vision, etc.), tingling or difficulty in expressing oneself. This form of migraine accounts for 20% of cases.
A cluster headache : the pain, intense, is centered on one eye or temple, the eyes water, the nose runs. It hurts a lot and can come in fits.
Focus on menstrual migraine
If the headache occurs once a month, in the period from two days that precede the rules in the three days following them, it is probably a menstrual or catamenial migraine. Generally longer, more intense and more difficult to relieve, it is due to the drop in the level of the hormone estradiol at the end of the cycle. Often, it is associated with other seizures not related to the period during the cycle. “Pure” menstrual migraine, occurring only during menstruation, concerns only 7% of migraineurs.
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