Headaches are one of the most common health complaints. There are several types and they can be brought on by various factors.

Headaches can disrupt daily activities
Cluster headaches are a rare type of headache that often occur at the same time of day and at the same time each year. They can begin suddenly, without warning, causing an intense burning pain around the eyes. Other symptoms accompany the pain, such as a red eye, runny nose, or a sweaty face. These types of headaches can disrupt daily activities, and triggers can include heat, alcohol, and strong smells.

Sinus headaches are also uncommon and they are usually caused by sinusitis. This is when the sinuses become inflamed when the nose becomes swollen due to infection, and the blockage creates a build-up of pressure, which creates a dull throbbing pain in the face.

Tension headaches are the more general type of headache and the most common. They often affect both sides of the head and can also cause a feeling of tension in the neck and behind the eyes. They can last between half an hour and a few hours, or some-times several days. Tension headaches tend to be more common in teenagers and adult females, but anyone can get them. They can be triggered by dehydration, stress, not eating, or bad physical posture.

Migraines are more severe than tension headaches, and are quite common. They cause a severe throbbing pain in the head, and other symptoms may also be experienced, such as nausea, vomiting, or hypersensitivity to light or sound. Their severity can impair functioning of daily activities. The cause of migraines is unknown, but they may be due to changes in blood vessels in the brain, plus triggers can include stress, tiredness or certain foods.

Triggers include stress, fatigue, noise and bright light
Generally, headaches can be brought on by stress, tiredness, noise and bright light. Other causes include excess alcohol consumption, flu or hormonal changes. Day-to-day headaches can usually be relieved with paracetamol or similar painkillers. Lifestyle changes such as getting more sleep and drinking more water can also help, as can relaxation techniques like gentle exercise, yoga, acupuncture or massage.

Visit your doctor if headaches are frequent
Heart disease can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Ensure you eat a good diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre, fish and nuts, and cut down on fat, sugar, salt and alcohol. Keep active and get plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy weight, cut down on smoking, and engage in relaxing pursuits to reduce the stress in your life. To quote Nelson Mandela, ‘A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination’.

If you are concerned about yourself or another, speak to your GP for further information and support.