Vascular Headaches
Muscle-Contraction (Tension) Headaches
Traction Headaches
Inflammatory Headaches

Vascular Headaches
Migraine Headaches
Cluster Headaches

The name "vascular headaches" is from the idea that the pain is due to a painful swelling of the blood vessels in the head. Although this isn't always the case, it is a good simplified representation. Vascular headaches are the classification of headache most widely studied and treated by neurologists.

Migraine Headaches
Classic Migraine
Common Migraine
Other Migraines

Migraine Facts

• <16-18 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches/year
16-18 million people suffer from migraine headaches/year.
• Highly hereditary. You have a 75% chance of experiencing migraine headaches if both of your parents have had them, and a 50% chance if just one of your parents has had them.
• 2-3 times more common in women than in men. This indicates the role of hormones, and particularly estrogen as a migraine antagonist.
• Certain types of food, such as aged cheese and alcohol, can trigger an attack. This indicates the role of chemicals as antagonists.

Migraine Symptoms

• Severe pounding or throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head.
• Often nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and/or sound.
• Can occur as often as several times a week, or as sporadic as once every few years.

Classic Migraine

• There is an appearance of neurological symptoms 10-30 minutes before the actual migraine attack.
• This time period, known as an aura, may be characterized by seeing flashing lights, zigzag lines, losing vision, losing speech, weakness in the arms or legs, tingling, or confusion.
• Pain lasts one to two hours.

Common Migraine

• Occurs in larger percentage of people.
• No aura-like symptoms.
• Pain can last several days.

Other Migraines

• Hemiplegic migraine - Temporary paralysis of one side of the body before the headache begins.
• Opthalmoplegic migraine - The pain is centered around the eye and is associated with vision problems.
• Basilar artery migraine - Additional symptoms of vertigo, double vision, and poor muscle coordination.
• Stratus migrainosus - Extremely intense migraine lasting up to 72 hours, and often requiring hospitalization.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster Facts

• An estimated 1 million people/year suffer from cluster headaches.
• 90% of occurrences are males.
• Commonly 20-30 years of age.

Cluster Symptoms

• Excruciating, knife-like pain around one eye.
• Difficult to predict.
• Occur in groups or clusters of attacks lasting weeks, but they may not experience another cluster for years.
• Each individual attack lasts about an hour.
• The often occur several hours after the person has fallen asleep.

Muscle-Contraction (Tension) Headaches

Tension Facts

• Approximately 90% of all headaches are classified as tension-type headaches.
• Slightly higher incidence of women over men.
• No hereditary, hormonal, or dietary link.

Tension Symptoms

• Often caused by stress, depression, or anxiety.
• Contraction of neck, face, and scalp muscles.
• Mild to moderate pain generalized over the entire head.

Traction Headaches

• Occur if painful sensitive parts of the head are moved, stretched, or displaced.
• Often seen is cases of eye strain.
• Treated by dealing with the underlying problem.

Inflammatory Headaches

• Pain is due to the inflammation often associated with diseases of the sinuses, spine, neck, ears, and teeth.
• Treated by dealing with the underlying problem.

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