Headaches
The first step in successfully treating headaches is making an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with headache complaints be evaluated by a neurology specialist to determine the cause and establish the correct diagnosis.
Headaches are a common ailment; it seems that there is hardly anyone who has not experienced a headache at some point in their life. Approximately 80% of people experience headaches occasionally that require medication. However, only about 10% of individuals with headaches suffer from headaches that are severe enough to incapacitate them from work or daily activities.
Among patients who seek medical attention for headaches, only 5-7% have a structural disorder causing the headache, such as a brain tumor, cerebrovascular disease (cerebral hemorrhage or vascular obstruction), or an infection in the brain or facial structures. Hypertension and eye disorders can also lead to headaches.
In other words, in 90% of patients presenting with headaches, no underlying disorder that could cause the headache is found upon examination. These non-structural headaches can only be diagnosed based on the information gathered from the patient.
Migraine
Migraines occur in 10% of men and 15-20% of women. They are characterized by attacks that can last for hours or even days, often incapacitating the patient and preventing them from working. These headaches are usually accompanied by nausea, sometimes vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, affecting one side of the head with a throbbing, severe pain. Not all characteristics of the described headache need to be present in every patient. There are different types, including migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and menstrual migraine (catamenial migraine).
Tension Headache
Tension headaches generally affect the entire head and are often relieved by muscle relaxation in the neck. Patients typically describe the pain as a feeling of heaviness, burning, tightness, or pressure. Nausea and vomiting are usually absent, and the pain does not worsen with movement. It generally does not interfere with the patient’s daily activities. It can last anywhere from 5-10 minutes to several days. Tension headaches can recur in attacks or may be continuous. Among individuals with frequent headaches, 60% experience tension headaches over the years.
