According to the International Headache Society there are about 130 different types of headaches. I will just be covering the most common ones.
Migraine -- Women are more likely to have migraine headaches. Migraines usually occur on one side of the head and are associated with changes in the arteries of the brain and so is also identified as a vascular headache. The blood vessels can become inflamed or swollen creating pressure to the walls of the blood vessels. Some people see an aura just minutes before the headache starts. My brother used to go blind for a few minutes before the onset of a migraine. I, however, never have experienced either an aura or blindness, just a lot of pain.
Physical activity can make it worse. You become sensitive to light, noise and smells. There are also migraines associated with the menstrual period where women get a migraine before, during or just after their period.
Some things that may trigger a migraine are: stress, caffeine, chocolate, hormonal changes, certain foods (pizza, hot dogs, pickled foods, aged cheeses, etc.), fatigue, stress, anxiety, aspartame, MSG, nitrates and some drugs such as clyceryl trinitrate, thophyline, resperpine, nifedipine, indomethacin, cimetidine as well as oral contraceptives. It would be helpful for you to keep a journal of what you eat and do each day to see if you can identify your triggers.
Tension -- This kind of headache is usually caused by stress, fatigue or a physical problem. A lot of times tension is in the shoulders and neck which leads to a headache. Usually the pain caused by this headache is continuous but not a throbbing headache. The pain is felt in the forehead, temples or back of the head and may include the neck.
Some things that may cause this type of headache are poor posture, jaw problems such as TMJ, eye strain, depression, anxiety and stress. I tend to tense the muscles in my shoulders and it causes tension headaches.
Cluster -- While women are more likely to get migraines, men are more likely to get this type of headache. Cluster headaches strike without warning and is considered one of the most severe and intense headaches. It can last anywhere from five minutes to three hours and can be a recurring problem lasting from one week to as long as a year. They usually occur either early in the morning or late at night.
The pain of a cluster headache is piercing, throbbing, pulsating and excruciating and can be terrifying. There is no known cause for cluster headaches, only theory. It is thought to be caused by abnormalities in the blood vessels, nerves and chemicals in the brain.
Things that might contribute to this type of headache are stress, extreme temperatures, hay fever, sexual activity and glare or bright lights. People who have cluster headaches usually have a history of smoking and alcohol.
Hormone -- Obviously, this is a headache triggered by an imbalance in hormones, usually affecting the female. It is also known as a menstrual migraine or estrogen migraine that is caused by elevated estrogen to progesterone levels. It is very similar to a migraine. It can happen either just before a period, during or after.
Rebound -- The rebound headache is caused by an overuse of medications, especially those medications that contain caffeine. This is also worsened if you drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks. The overuse of analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can cause this type of headache as well. If you take one of these pain relievers more than two to three days a week, you may be causing your headaches. Migraine medications have also been linked to rebound headaches.
Rebound headaches can feel dull and achy or they can be throbbing. Other symptoms you may experience are anxiety, nausea, restlessness, depression, problems with memory and difficulty sleeping.
Sinus -- This headache is located in the forehead and cheek bones. It is caused by an inflammation of the sinus due to infection. You will most likely also have a mild fever.
Liver or Toxic - This is a name I created for a type of headache that I get frequently. I believe it is caused by toxic build up in the body usually due to a sluggish liver. I find that I can get rid of these headaches by supporting my liver and using coffee or water enemas. Enemas usually get rid of a headache almost instantly.
Feverfew -- As it's name would suggest, feverfew once was used to reduce fever. It is used today to treat headaches. Serotonin is suspected as one of the causes of migraine headaches as it causes blood vessels to constrict. Feverfew has been shown to inhibit serotonin release by preventing excessive clumping of platelets in the blood. It also inhibits an inflammatory response which can cause migraine. Some people find this herb very effective.
White willow bark -- White willow tree contains salicin, an analgesic, from which salicylic acid and later acetylsalicylic acid were formed. Acetylsalicylic acid is what is used to make aspirin. Willow bark is used to fight pain caused by headaches, arthritis, gout and angina. It is also used to build immunity and fight infection. White willow bark should not be taken with aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen as the combination with these drugs may increase the chance of side effects such as stomach bleeding.
Coffee -- I have found that coffee can occasionally get rid of headaches. Don't use it for a migraine, however, or you'll make it worse. You don't need to drink very much. I have found that it takes only a half a cup.
Magnesium -- Magnesium is a good supplement for helping you with your migraine and tension headaches. Low levels of magnesium have been found in people prone to have migraines, indicating a need for supplementation. One of magnesium's main functions is to maintain tone in the blood vessels. Magnesium also helps relax muscles and so is helpful for tension headaches.
Capsicum -- Capsicum is said to be very helpful in dealing with cluster, sinus and migraine headaches. It has the ability to improve circulation by dilating the blood vessels and the sinuses. For cluster headaches a spray version is used and is sprayed into the nostril on the same side as the headache pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar -- Take apple cider vinegar (organic) by putting one to two tablespoons in a glass of water and drink it two to three times a day. This has helped me cure my headaches about 50% of the time. I think it works best on headaches caused by constriction of the blood vessels. If you are worried about the acid in apple cider vinegar effecting your teeth, use a straw to drink it.
Chiropractic Adjustment -- Sometimes headaches are caused because the bones in the neck and upper back are out of alignment. You might want to try seeing a chiropractor if nothing else has been working.
Enema -- An enema using just warm water to clear the colon is very helpful. This is especially useful if your headache is a toxic headache and if you've been eating a lot of unhealthy foods. This technique almost always gets rid of my headaches. Coffee enemas are also helpful.
Hot and Cold -- Put your feet in a bucket of hot water for about 15 minutes while applying a ice pack to your head. You can also use a hot water bottle for your feet. This works well for some people or some types of headaches. I have also personally used hot and cold on my head alternating the two. You can also put a cold compress on your forehead while putting something hot on the back of your neck. These techniques might not get rid of the headache but they almost always make them a lot more tolerable.
Drink plenty of water.
As mentioned above briefly, what you eat can also be a trigger in causing your headaches. Pay attention to what you eat and find out if there is a particular food that might be causing your headaches.
Find out if you are allergic to any foods and eliminate them from your diet.
Eat healthy foods and avoid processed foods and foods containing trans fats such as deep fried foods.
Avoid migraine triggers such as alcohol, sodium nitrate, aspartame, MSG, chocolate, dairy products, aged cheeses, pickled foods and caffeine.
