Is Headache a disease?

Headaches are a headache for all types of people, from children to adults of all kinds. When we start having a headache, it will start affecting any type of work we are doing or we are planning to do, and we will search for pain relievers to soothe the pain. Always in our mind, we will start thinking about why this is coming and how we can prevent it.

Also, most people think that a headache is a disease, but is it a disease? This question wanted me to write this blog about headaches.

Generally, headaches are not considered a disease; instead, they are symptoms caused by multiple factors such as sleeplessness, anxiety, stress, or some other medical conditions. Most of the time, headaches are not because of serious problems, but sometimes, they can be because of some underlying problem. It is a pain in our head or face that’s often described as a pressure that’s constant, sharp, or dull. During a headache, multiple mechanisms activate specific nerves that affect muscles and blood vessels.

Migraine vs. Headache

A migraine is more than a bad headache, and it could even last for days. It will cause a throbbing head pain on one side of your head. While headaches cause aching and pain, often in a specific area of your head, a migraine is a neurological disorder caused by changes in brain activity, arteries, chemicals, and nerve cells. It is not possible to cure migraines, but we can take steps to prevent them. We need to identify what is causing the migraine and try to avoid them. Some of the common migraine triggers include alcohol or caffeinated beverages, loud noises, bright lights, dehydration, irregular sleep, etc. Although it is tough to tell the difference, headaches and migraine are two different conditions with different symptoms and treatments.

Classification of headache:

1. Primary Headache – These headaches are not caused by any underlying medical condition. The main factors for these types of headaches can be related to muscle tension, eating some foods, medicines, dehydration, or hormonal changes.
2. Secondary headache – These headaches are due to some underlying medical condition. These headaches can be caused by a variety of reasons like infections, injuries, tumors, neurological disorders, etc.

Can you avoid a headache?

When headache triggers are felt, we can try to avoid those triggers which is causing the headache. Also, doing some lifestyle changes, being hydrated, managing stress, and having a balanced diet will help to prevent headaches.

When to check with your doctor?

You need to check with your doctor if you have a severe headache, frequent headaches, or headaches with some other symptoms. If you feel any of those symptoms, you need to consult a doctor and know the reasons. A headache can be a symptom of a serious condition such as stroke, meningitis, or encephalitis if you are experiencing a severe headache of your life. Also, consult a doctor if it occurs more than usual, is more severe than usual, worsen or don’t improve with appropriate use of counter drugs.

Sources or References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9639-headaches
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/headache/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050800