Types and Symptoms
One Patient at a Time. One Diagnosis at a Time.
The first step to treating headache pain is recognizing that there are many types of headaches involving different symptoms and causes. At Diamond Headache Clinic, we believe it’s vitally important to get an accurate diagnosis in order to receive the best possible treatment. We understand that each patient comes to us with his or her unique circumstances, and we treat those circumstances individually and personally. Because we know that there are no “cures” for severe headaches, we focus on ensuring that our patients connect with a headache doctor who understands their challenges and can teach them how to accept dealing with this condition as a lifelong pursuit of balance. While we believe our patients should be well informed about the different types of headaches, including migraine headache symptoms, please bear in mind that an accurate diagnosis can only be made by a qualified physician.
The Different Kinds of Headaches
- Abdominal Headache — An abdominal headache or migraine takes place in the stomach instead of the head. It most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 9.
- Cluster Headache — Cluster headaches attack in cycles and most commonly occur in men. They typically start between the ages of 20 and 40.
- Exertional Headache — The exertional headache, like some other types of headache pain, is brought on by activity such as exercise, sex or intense coughing or sneezing.
- Hemicrania Continua — Most common in women, hemicranias continua is a headache that creates ongoing, one-sided pain with no break or relief.
- Hemiplegic Migraine — A rare type of headache that may run in families, the hemiplegic migraine causes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body.
- Medication Overuse Headache — The medication overuse headache is just what it sounds like — head pain brought on by the overuse of certain prescription or non-prescription drugs.
- Menstrual Headache —Associated with menstruation, this type of headache can occur anytime during the monthly cycle.
- Migraine with Aura — This is an intense headache involving various sensations, visual disturbances and other symptoms that occur 10 to 60 minutes before the actual headache begins.
- Migraines without Aura — The most common form of migraine is the migraine without aura, a type of recurring, long-lasting headache that occurs with no warning.
- New Daily Persistent Headache — When a patient with no headache history suddenly begins experiencing daily, unremitting headache pain, the condition is known as a new daily persistent headache (NDPH).
- Paroxysmal Hemicrania — Paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) is a rare type of headache involving short, severe headaches on one side, either chronically or episodically.
- Pediatric and Adolescent Headache — There are many types of headaches and causes that affect young or adolescent patients, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches and headaches associated with serious health concerns.
- Post-Traumatic Headache — A headache that follows any mild, moderate or severe brain injury is called a post-traumatic headache.
- Pressure Headache — Caused by an internal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in the brain, a pressure headache usually manifests itself as intense headache pain that’s relieved by lying down.
- Severe Headache — Headaches involving especially acute pain are considered severe headaches. These may sometimes necessitate admission to a hospital.
- Severe Migraine — Affecting women three times more often than men, severe migraines occur in more than 12 percent of American adults.
- Tension-Type Headache — The tension-type headache is the most common type of headache. Experts estimate up to 78 percent of the population has experienced them.
Our Treatment Philosophy for Headaches and Migraines
At Diamond Headache Clinic, we’re proud to provide an extensive range of treatment options for headaches and migraines. We believe in the mind-body connection of headache pain and take a multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients. When you come to us, you can expect a balance of medical therapies, lifestyle adjustments and alternative therapies. Set up a consultation to talk to one of our experts and learn more.