Migraines - Vascular Headaches: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Vascular headaches are an umbrella term used to describe headaches due to head and neck blood vessel changes. Vascular headaches are often called vascular migraines and cluster headaches, although both these types of headaches are much different from one another.
Migraines and cluster headaches are called primary headaches. A primary headache has no underlying condition causing the headache. The headaches caused by illness or another disease are known as secondary headaches.
Migraines
Migraine, a common headache, is experienced more in women than men. There is no definitive cause of migraine, but changes in the blood vessels and nerves may be significant contributing factors. Migraines usually start in adolescence or young adulthood. It may get triggered by factors, such as
- stress
- alcohol
- caffeine
- foods
- sleeplessness
- weather
- medicines
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are much more severe but less common than migraines. These headaches occur in clusters, i.e., one or more times a day over a significant duration. Experts opine that cluster headaches are related to blood vessel dilation. Some possible causes of cluster headaches may be:
- nerves
- histamine release
- circadian rhythm
- activating the autonomic nervous system
Men between the ages of 20- 40 are more prone to having cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are also triggered due to elements such as
- histamines
- alcohol
- tobacco
Vascular Headache Symptoms
It is noteworthy that migraines and cluster headaches are unique and have different symptoms.
Vascular Migraine Symptoms
Migraines last for several hours or even days at once. One may encounter migraine pain at a very frequent rate. Symptoms of migraines include:
- sensitivity to light, sounds, and odors
- lightheadedness
- throbbing or pounding on either side of the head
- vision problems
- nausea
- anxiousness
- loss of appetite
- vomiting or diarrhea
- Sharp pain in head that increases with physical movement
An aura is a symptom or a sign indicating the migraine headache is about to start. Aura symptoms may involve sensory disturbances and vision changes (seeing flashing lights or blind spots).
Cluster headache symptoms
Cluster headaches frequently occur, often at the same time of day or multiple times a day. These headaches may start at any point in time. The headaches last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours and may stay overnight, waking a person in the middle of the night. The pattern may last for several weeks or months. Cluster headache symptoms feel like -
- stabbing and sharp pain in head on either side
- pressure behind the eye
- irritation in the eyes or nostrils of the painting side.
How are Vascular Headaches diagnosed?
A doctor carries out the diagnosis to find the root cause and severity of these vascular headaches. They may ask the patient to describe their symptoms, track their headaches, not the nature of the pain, the initiation point of the pain, plausible triggers, and any other information that may help decide the treatment method.
Although mild headaches are often treated with home remedies, it is always advised to consult a doctor if the frequency or gravity of the headaches is intensified over time.
One must see a doctor if the headaches are -
- sudden
- trigger stiffness in the neck
- caused due to a fever
- related to pain felt in the ears or eyes
- caused due to brain injury or head trauma
- reoccurring
- head feels heavy too often
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