Added work in your schedule can often cause headaches due to stress. But what if those headaches are not related to your work and stress, but an underlying condition such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD)? By educating yourself on headaches and some of the causes and types, you can take better care and avoid pain.

We’ve all experienced a headache or few at some point in our lives, but are you familiar with the different types of headaches you might experience? To get a better understanding of the headache you are experiencing, it is important to know what kind of headache it is in order to get proper treatment. Let’s take a look at three different types.

Tension Type Headache – This is the most common type among adults/ A tension type headache may appear periodically or chronically, and can often last from 30 minutes to several days. These headaches can also be triggered by environmental or internal stress, and can be either known or unknown. If you suffer from tension type headaches, there are treatment options available to relieve your pain. Let’s take a closer look at treatment options available.

Headaches With an AuraAn aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced by someone with a migraine or headache before it begins. Headaches with auras account for less than 20% of all migraines. However, that is only little comfort when you are the one who falls victim to this painful headache. When an aura is present, it typically begins about 30 minutes or less before the headache begins. These early symptoms are referred to as prodrome and can last for 5 to 20 minutes—it can even continue after the headache subsides.

Migraine Headaches – If you have ever suffered from a migraine, you know how unbearable they can be. Migraines can be so painful that you are down for the count for multiple days, which can definitely interrupt your daily schedule. To help you avoid painful migraines, it is important to gain a better understanding of migraine triggers you need to avoid.

Contact Dr. Sara at AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions in North Scottsdale for more information on headaches and what might be causing your pain.