Other Types Of Headaches: The List Part II

Know  more about the other types of headaches.

Know  more about the other types of headaches.

Occipital Neuralgia:
The pain originating at the nape of the neck due to irritation of the occipital nerve is classified as occipital neuralgia. It may result from physical stress, trauma or repeated contractions of the muscles of the neck.

Massage and rest are found to be useful but in severe pain, antidepressants, nerve blockers and local steroid injections may be prescribed.

Sexual Benign Headaches:
These headaches are related to sexual activity especially orgasm. These can be further divided into two types of headache.

The first type is the benign orgasmic headache which results due to the sexual excitement leading to contraction of muscles in the head and the neck thus leading to headache. It is more common in men and usually affects migraine sufferers.

The second type is the vascular headache occurring just before the orgasm, hence also referred to as an orgasmic headache. The pain can be either around or behind the eyes and is made worse by movement. The pain occurs as a response to increase in the blood pressure. This headache should be investigated at the earliest because it could be a sign of a brain hemorrhage, stroke or tumor. If

accompanied by a stiff neck, it could indicate bleeding into the spinal fluid.

Thunderclap headachs:
Thunderclap headache is a sudden, intense headache that mimics a thunderclap in its intensity, hence the name. The pain shoots up suddenly and immediate referral to the doctor is necessary. This is because it may be the sign of an impending rupture of an aneurysm or a weak blood vessel. Although all doctors do not agree with it, but still prompt medical attention is necessary in this condition.

Trigeminal neuralgia/ tic douloureux/ suicide disease:
One of the most excruciating types of headache known in the annals of medical history is Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). This is a disease of the fifth and the largest cranial nerve - the trigeminal nerve. It is an intense, jabbing and striking type of pain felt around the eyes, nose, lips and ears. Although the condition affects those over 50, it has also been reported in infants and children as well.

Simple acts like brushing the teeth, putting on makeup, chewing, laughing, talking or even a slight breeze can trigger a very painful attack of TNT.

Treatment is given in the form of anticonvulsant drugs. Neurological surgery may also be prescribed. Other treatments which have shown to work are acupuncture, self-hypnosis, chiropractic and meditation.


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