Eszter Bodnár M.D., an internal medicine specialist at RMC Clinics, sees every day how vital early detection is: not only for pain relief but also to improve quality of life. That is why she presents the different types of headaches in her blog post, helping those who suffer from headaches better understand their causes, recognize when it is worth consulting a specialist, and find the most effective treatment.

Not all pain is the same

There are two main types of headaches:

• Primary headaches: the headache itself is the disease (e.g., tension, migraine, cluster).
• Secondary headaches: there is an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, cervical spine problems, or even a tumor.

Tension headaches affect about 40% of the population, 12-15% suffer from migraines, and less than 1% suffer from cluster headaches. Chronic headaches are defined as headaches that occur more than 15 times a month, which can seriously affect work, family life, and social relationships.

Tension headaches

This is the most common type of headache, typically involving a dull, tightening pain that often affects the entire head. Patients usually resort to painkillers, which can help in the short term, but if someone takes medication twice or more a week, they may develop medication-overuse headaches. In this case, the lack of painkillers triggers new headaches.

Lifestyle factors are usually the underlying cause:

• stress,
• lack of sleep,
• lack of exercise,
• irregular eating habits,
• insufficient fluid intake.

In such cases, not only medication but also lifestyle changes are crucial. A daily intake of 500 mg of magnesium can also help alleviate the symptoms.

Migraine

Migraine occurs in two-thirds of cases in women and can last from 4 to 72 hours. It is a severe, throbbing, often one-sided pain, frequently accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Most patients rest in a dark, quiet room during this time, as any stimulus intensifies the pain.

The good news is that highly effective treatments are now available. Triptans can shorten attacks lasting for days to just a few hours by blocking the action of pain-inducing hormones released in the brain. In addition to the lifestyle factors listed above, dietary mistakes can also increase the frequency of migraine attacks: alcohol, aged cheeses, and preserved foods can all trigger attacks.

If someone experiences four or more migraine attacks per month, preventive medication is recommended, which should be taken daily – this can significantly reduce the number and intensity of episodes.

Cluster headache

This is a rare but extremely intense form of headache. It occurs most commonly in men aged 20–40, and smoking increases the risk. It is characterized by a burning, stabbing pain on one side of the head around the eye, accompanied by redness of the eye, a runny nose, and tearing. During an attack, patients are agitated, restless, and pace around—unlike migraine sufferers, who tend to become quiet.

An attack usually lasts 30 to 90 minutes, but can recur several times a day. Treatment includes steroids and oxygen therapy, while calcium channel blockers can be used for prevention.

The key to a good quality of life: early diagnosis

Headaches may not just be a symptom of "a bad day." In cases of frequent, recurring, or prolonged headaches, it is always advisable to consult a specialist to rule out more serious illnesses and to start appropriate treatment promptly. Early diagnosis and personalized therapy not only reduce pain but can also restore peace of mind and energy to everyday life.

RMC Clinics' internal medicine specialist, Eszter Bodnár M.D., participated in further training at one of the most significant headache centers in the United States, the Dent Neurological Institute in Buffalo, where she worked alongside László Mechtler M.D., director of the Neurology Department at the Roswell Cancer Research Institute, from whom she learned a great deal about modern approaches to headache care. She warmly welcomes patients suffering from headaches to her practice.