OTHER HEADACHES AND CAUSES
In addition to migraine headaches, women are roughly 1.5 times as likely as men to experience tension headaches, which are mild to moderate and affect both sides of the head, LaHendro said. These headaches are uncomfortable but typically aren’t debilitating, and can feel like there’s a tight band squeezing the head.
It’s unclear why tension headaches are more common in women, but stress could play a role. Some studies suggest that these headaches are more frequent in women in the days surrounding menstruation, suggesting that oestrogen could again be involved. But other studies find no evidence that hormones are to blame.
On the other hand, men are more likely than women to experience cluster headaches, which are rare but extremely painful headaches that afflict only one side of the head and usually arise daily or nearly daily over the course of several weeks or months, Dr MacGregor said.
It’s unclear why men are more likely than women to get cluster headaches, Dr MacGregor said, but research suggests these headaches are more common in people who are heavy smokers or drinkers, and men tend to drink and smoke more heavily than women.
If you experience frequent headaches, “keep a diary and look at patterns”, Dr MacGregor suggested. In addition to stress, sleep and hormones, consider other potential triggers such as dehydration, weather changes, medications and alcohol.
The National Headache Foundation suggests documenting when each headache started and ended, its intensity, its preceding symptoms, its potential triggers and any medication taken to alleviate it. A physician can then tailor treatments based on the information recorded.
The good news is that when it comes to managing headaches, LaHendro said, “there are more treatment options out there now than there have ever been before.”
By Melinda Wenner Moyer © The New York Times Company
The article originally appeared in The New York Times.