Headache tops the list of reasons why people visit a neurologist. It is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 75% of adults have experienced at least one episode of headache in the past year.
Amidst the many symptoms of the causes of headaches, the pain area is a major player. Where your head hurts can give an important clue in diagnosing the cause and Identifying the right treatment. Although the part of your head that hurts isn’t a clear-cut pointer to the root of the problem, it does tip you off on how to deal with your pain and when to seek medical attention.
Let’s take a closer look at what your headache location tells you;
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Pain Only On One Side Of Head
One-sided head pain is most times an indication of migraine. Migraine is a primary headache disorder that affects over a billion people in the world. At times, the pain is felt in both the right and left sides of the head and its characterized by recurring attacks.
Migraines are triggered by some lifestyle circumstances such as loud sound, hormonal changes, certain foods, weather conditions, etc., and can become worsened by physical activities.
Due to hormonal changes, migraines are common in women before or after periods. The symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to light, and throbbing and pulsating pain.
Pain Around Headband Area
This is the most common type of headache disorder called tension-type headaches (TTH). They are induced by stress and often associated with a muscular problem in the neck. You may experience tightness, often like a band that squeezes around your head. This pain can emanate from or extend to the neck.
With a tension headache, a mild to moderate episodic attack is imminent. Some people experience persistent headaches every day. However, the frequency of occurrence is usually less than 15 days in a month.
Forehead Pain
Pain over the sinuses is a common concern for people. When you feel the pain of clustered organs within your face, you are probably having a special type of headache called sinusitis. Sinus headache affects the front of your head and face.
They occur due to allergies that affect your nasal passages. Most times, it gives the feeling of the common cold. Sinusitis is rare and often confused with migraines. The only way to be sure is to see a doctor.
Pain At The Back of the Head
A back of the head headache that extends to the neck can be due to arthritis of the neck. This is a secondary headache, meaning, it’s a symptom of another illness. The pain is caused by a cervical spine disorder that usually results from posture or wear-and-tear that has affected the spine or punctured the lumber.
The pain is usually non-pulsating, pressing, and tightening that often subside when you lie down but get worsened with movement. This pain arises from the neck and radiates to the base of your head. If you notice anything of such, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Note, symptoms like high fever, speech difficulties, vision, or sensory loss that come with the pain can be signs of other possible health conditions. For non-severe and short-term headaches, the part of your head that aches can help identify what type of headache you have. But when its severity escalates in a few minutes or seconds, it’s better to seek medical help.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.