Headache - Symptoms

Migraine headaches are intense throbbing headaches that occur on one or both sides of the head. The pain is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and a high sensitivity to light, sound, and movement.

The usual tension headache is described as a tightening around the head and neck, accompanied by a steady ache that forms a tight band around the forehead. Tension headaches usually affect both sides of the head and usually appear at the front of the head, although they can appear at the top or back of the skull. Tension headaches often begin in the afternoon and can last for several hours. They can occur every day. When this happens it is called a chronic tension headache.

A cluster headache can cause excruciating pain. The headache is usually centered around one eye. It may also cause the eyes to tear and nasal (nose) congestion. A cluster headache usually lasts from fifteen minutes to four hours. It may occur several times in a day.

Cluster headaches are classified as either episodic or chronic. Approximately 80 percent of cluster headaches are episodic, that is, they occur during one to five month periods followed by six to twenty-four month attack-free period. There is no such reprieve for chronic cluster headache sufferers.