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Understand Your Pain: 5 Types Of Headaches

Types Of Headaches

First Posted: 10/22/11 12:17 PM ET Updated: 12/22/11 05:12 AM ET

It's important to figure out what type of headache is causing your pain. If you know your headache type, you can treat it correctly.

In one 2004 study, 80 percent of people who had a recent history of self-described or doctor-diagnosed sinus headache, but no signs of sinus infection, actually met the criteria for migraine.

Here are some tips that will put a name to your pain.

Tension Headaches
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Tension headaches, the most common type, feel like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. Not as severe as migraines, they don't usually cause nausea or vomiting, and they rarely halt daily activities.

Over-the-counter treatments, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are usually sufficient to treat them. Experts believe these may be caused by the contraction of neck and scalp muscles (including in response to stress), and possibly changes in brain chemicals.

More from Health.com:
18 Signs You're Having a Migraine
Gel Caps or Coated? How to Pick the Right Pain Pill
10 Signs It's a Sinus Infection

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It's important to figure out what type of headache is causing your pain. If you know your headache type, you can treat it correctly. In one 2004 study, 80 percent of people who had a recent hi...
It's important to figure out what type of headache is causing your pain. If you know your headache type, you can treat it correctly. In one 2004 study, 80 percent of people who had a recent hi...
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