BACTERIAL INFECTION

Bacterial infections are diseases that can affect your skin, lungs, brain, blood and other parts of your body. You get them from single-celled organisms multiplying or releasing toxins in your body. Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections. They’re often treated with antibiotics.

What is a bacterial infection?

Bacterial infections are any illness or condition caused by bacterial growth or poisons (toxins). You can get sick from getting harmful bacteria in your skin, gut (GI tract), lungs, heart, brain, blood or anywhere else in your body.

Harmful bacteria from the environment, an infected person or animal, a bug bite or something contaminated (like food, water or surfaces) can cause infections. Bacteria that’s not normally harmful but that gets into a place in your body where it shouldn’t be can also cause infections.

What is bacteria?

Bacteria are living things with only a single cell that can reproduce quickly. There are millions of bacteria that live all around us — in soil or water and on surfaces in our homes and workplaces. There are even millions of bacteria that live on your skin and inside of your body.

Most bacteria aren’t harmful, and many are even helpful. They can help you digest food and kill off other harmful forms of bacteria that try to invade your body. But even the helpful ones can hurt you if they grow where they’re not supposed to.

What’s the difference between a bacterial infection and viral infection?

Living, single-celled organisms that can reproduce on their own cause bacterial infections. Only a few types of bacteria cause illness in people.

An organism that’s not made up of cells causes viral infections. Viruses always need to infect humans or other living things to create more copies of itself.

Antibiotics can treat most bacterial infections, but only a few viral infections have medications that treat them.

What are the types of bacterial infections?

Bacteria can cause many types of infections, depending on how you’re exposed and what part of your body it infects. Some common types of bacterial infections include:

What are some examples of bacterial infections?

Common bacterial infections include:

Is a bacterial infection serious?

There are many bacterial infections that aren’t usually serious or can be treated easily with antibiotics. Impetigo and boils are examples. However, any bacterial infection that gets deep into your body, like in your blood, heart, lungs or brain, can be life-threatening.

How do bacterial infections spread?

Bacterial infections can spread through droplets or dust in the air, direct or indirect contact, a vector (like a tick or mosquito) or contaminated food or water (vehicular).

Airborne or droplet

You can get bacterial infections through the air from contaminated dust or droplets of water or mucus (like phlegm or snot). Legionnaires’ disease, pertussis (whooping cough), tuberculosis, meningococcal disease and strep throat spread this way.

Contact

You can get bacterial infections from direct contact with infected skin or mucous membranes, or from indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. Bacterial diseases you get by contact include skin infections and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Vector

Infections you get from bugs (like mosquitos, ticks or fleas) are called vector-borne. You can get Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and shigellosis through vectors.

Vehicular

While it sounds like something you get from your car, “vehicular” usually means you get sick from water or food (the “vehicle” of transmission). You can get gut (gastrointestinal) infections from E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella bacteria in contaminated food or water.

Who do bacterial diseases affect?

Anyone can get a bacterial disease, and most of us will at some point in our lives. You’re at higher risk for getting an infection if you have:

How does a bacterial infection affect my body?

Bacteria can hurt your body either when they reproduce or by releasing poisons (toxins) that damage your cells. Infections that only affect the surface of your skin or mucous membranes (like your throat or intestines) aren’t usually serious, but sometimes, bacteria can spread in your body and cause life-threatening illnesses. If bacteria gets into your blood, it can cause sepsis, a reaction to the infection that causes organ damage, which is sometimes fatal.

What are common symptoms of a bacterial infection?

Symptoms of bacterial infections vary depending on where in your body is infected. The main symptom is often fever, except skin infections, which usually cause redness or pain on your skin. Common symptoms of bacterial infections include:

  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Fatigue (tiredness).
  • Headache.

Additional symptoms can include:

  • Skin: Redness, blisters, ulcers, swollen or painful skin.
  • GI tract: Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
  • Lungs: Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and phlegm (sputum).
  • Lining around your brain (meningitis): Neck stiffness, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light and confusion.
  • In your bloodstream and spreading (septicemia): High fever, weakness, sweating and low blood pressure.
  • Heart (endocarditis): High fever, chest pain, night sweats, shortness of breath, cough, muscle and joint pain.
  • Urinary tract or genitals: Burning or pain when you pee, discharge from your penis or vagina, increased need to pee and painful intercourse.

What causes bacterial diseases?

Many kinds of bacteria cause infections. You usually get bacterial infections when bacteria get into your body through your mouth, your nose, your eyes or a cut in your skin. Sometimes, bacteria that normally live on your skin or in your body get into places they’re not supposed to (like through an injury) and reproduce.

How do you get a bacterial infection?

Common ways you can get bacterial infections include:

  • Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
  • Eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products.
  • Antibiotic use, which can kill the good bacteria that usually fight off bad bacteria.
  • From contaminated surfaces.
  • From other people (through coughing or close contact).
  • From getting contaminated water into your lungs (aspirating).
  • Through oral, anal or vaginal sex.
  • Through contaminated dirt (soil).
  • From a bite from an infected tick, mosquito or flea.
  • From a surgery or intubation (tube in your throat).

Are bacterial infections contagious?

Yes, many bacterial infections are contagious from person to person, including pertussis, tuberculosis, strep throat, meningococcal disease, bacterial STIs and MRSA. Infections you get from food, mosquitos or ticks are usually not contagious.

How are bacterial infections diagnosed?

A healthcare provider diagnoses a bacterial infection by listening to your symptoms, doing an examination (listening to your heart and lungs, feeling your abdomen, looking at your skin) and taking samples to test for bacteria.

If they think you have bacteria in your lungs, brain or other internal organ, they might get X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or CT imaging to look for signs of infection.

Tests for bacterial infections

Your provider might send body fluid or tissue samples to a lab to look for signs of an infection (antibodies or antigens). A lab technician might also try to grow bacteria from your samples. Types of samples they might take include:

How are bacterial infections treated?

Not all bacterial infections need to be treated — some go away on their own. When you do need treatment, healthcare providers use antibiotics. Depending on where your infection is and how serious it is, antibiotics can be prescribed as:

  • Oral medication (pills).
  • IV medication, given to you at a doctor’s office or hospital directly into a vein.
  • Ointment or cream.
  • Eye drops.

Complications/side effects of the treatment

Sometimes, certain antibiotics stop working and don’t kill or slow down bacteria (antibiotic resistance). Because of this, doctors and nurse practitioners are careful about when and how they prescribe antibiotics. They only prescribe them if they think they’ll help you. It’s important for you to take any medication as prescribed for the full course, even if you start to feel better.

How can I prevent bacterial infections?

Ways to reduce your risk of various types of bacterial infections include:

  • Get vaccinated. There are vaccines for many bacterial diseases, including tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria and bacteria that cause certain forms of meningitis (Neisseria meningitides), pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b) and bloodstream infections.
  • Practice good hygiene. This includes maintaining good hand-washing habits, wearing clean and dry clothes and not sharing personal items with other people.
  • Keep wounds clean. Breaks in your skin allow bacteria to get in. Clean and cover cuts or wounds in your skin.
  • Practice safe food habits. This includes storing food properly, heating meat and poultry to a temperature that kills bacteria and washing or peeling fruits and vegetables before eating.
  • Use a condom or dental dam during any kind of sex.
  • Protect yourself from bug bites. Wear protective clothing, use bug spray and check yourself and your pets for ticks after being outdoors.

What can I expect if I have a bacterial infection?

What to expect depends on what kind of bacterial infection you have. Less serious bacterial infections are treatable with medication at home. Others require a hospital stay and can cause lasting damage. Bacterial infections in your internal organs or blood can be life-threatening.

Complications of bacterial infections

Bacterial infections inside of your body can cause serious complications. The most serious complication is sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection that causes organ damage. Sepsis can be fatal.

How long do bacterial infections last?

If you’re prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, you’ll usually have to take them for a week or two, though you’ll probably feel better sooner. Take all of your medication as prescribed, otherwise, you might not get rid of all of the bacteria.

What is the cure for bacterial infections?

Antibiotics usually cure bacterial infections. They sometimes go away on their own or can be treated without antibiotics, but it’s always best to check with a healthcare provider for the best way to treat them.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Contact a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a bacterial infection, especially if you’ve had them for more than a couple of days. Make sure to follow up with your provider if you’ve been treating an infection and your symptoms aren’t getting better or are getting worse.

When should I go to the ER?

Go to the nearest ER or seek immediate medical attention if you have signs of a serious infection, including:

  • High fever (103 degrees Fahrenheit or 39.4 degrees Celsius).
  • Confusion or other mental changes.
  • Neck stiffness with other symptoms of meningitis (headache, nausea, vomiting).
  • Low blood pressure.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

  • What caused this and how can I avoid it in the future?
  • How do I prevent spreading this to other people?
  • How do I use my medication?
  • How long will it take to feel better?
  • When should I follow up with you?
  • What can I do to help my symptoms at home?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Bacteria live all around us — millions even live on or in us. They help us digest nutrients, protect us from harmful invaders and even help in making delicious foods. But, like puppies in a shoe factory, they can cause a lot of damage if they’re somewhere they’re not supposed to be. Bacterial infections can be a temporary nuisance, but they can also turn into a life-threatening situation. Always check with a healthcare provider to make sure you know the best way to manage a bacterial disease.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful agents (pathogens) that get into your body. The most common causes are viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Infectious diseases usually spread from person to person, through contaminated food or water and through bug bites. Some infectious diseases are minor and some are very serious.

What are infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful organisms (pathogens) that get into your body from the outside. Pathogens that cause infectious diseases are viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and, rarely, prions. You can get infectious diseases from other people, bug bites and contaminated food, water or soil.

What’s the difference between infectious diseases and noninfectious diseases?

Infectious diseases are caused by harmful organisms that get into your body from the outside, like viruses and bacteria. Noninfectious diseases aren’t caused by outside organisms, but by genetics, anatomical differences, getting older and the environment you live in. You can’t get noninfectious diseases from other people, by getting a bug bite or from your food.

The flu, measles, HIV, strep throat, COVID-19 and salmonella are all examples of infectious diseases. Cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure and Alzheimer’s disease are all examples of noninfectious diseases.

What are the types of infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases can be viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infections. There’s also a rare group of infectious diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

  • Viral infections. Viruses are a piece of information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Viruses are much smaller than your cells and have no way to reproduce on their own. They get inside your cells and use your cells’ machinery to make copies of themselves.
  • Bacterial infections. Bacteria are single-celled organisms with their instructions written on a small piece of DNA. Bacteria are all around us, including inside of our body and on our skin. Many bacteria are harmless or even helpful, but certain bacteria release toxins that can make you sick.
  • Fungal infections. Like bacteria, there are many different fungi. They live on and in your body. When your fungi get overgrown or when harmful fungi get into your body through your mouth, your nose or a cut in your skin, you can get sick.
  • Parasitic infections. Parasites use the bodies of other organisms to live and reproduce. Parasites include worms (helminths) and some single-celled organisms (protozoa).
  • Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs/prion diseases). TSEs are caused by prions — faulty proteins that cause other proteins in your body, usually in your brain, to become faulty as well. Your body is unable to use these proteins or get rid of them, so they build up and make you sick. Prions are an extremely rare cause of infectious diseases.

What are common infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases are extremely common worldwide, but some are more common than others. For instance, each year in the United States, 1 out of every 5 people is infected with the influenza virus, but less than 300 people are diagnosed with prion diseases.

Some of the most common infectious diseases are listed here by type.

Common infectious diseases caused by viruses:

Common infectious diseases caused by bacteria:

Common infectious diseases caused by fungi:

Common infectious diseases caused by parasites:

Who is most at risk for getting infectious diseases?

Anyone can get an infectious disease. You may be at an increased risk if your immune system is weakened or if you travel to areas with certain highly transmissible diseases.

People at higher risk of infectious disease include:

  • Those with suppressed or compromised immune systems, such as those receiving cancer treatments, living with HIV or on certain medicines.
  • Young children, pregnant people and adults over 60.
  • Those who are unvaccinated against common infectious diseases.
  • Healthcare workers.
  • People traveling to areas where they may be exposed to mosquitoes that carry pathogens such as malaria, dengue virus and Zika viruses.

What complications are associated with infectious diseases?

Many infectious diseases resolve without complications, but some can cause lasting damage.

Serious and life-threatening complications of various infectious diseases include:

  • Dehydration: Fever, vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Pneumonia: Respiratory illness (viral or bacterial).
  • Sepsis: Bacterial infections.
  • Meningitis (swelling of the brain): Multiple causes, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections.
  • AIDS: HIV.
  • Liver cancer: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C.
  • Cervical cancer: Human papillomavirus (HPV).

What are the symptoms of infectious diseases?

Symptoms of infectious diseases depend on the type of illness. Fungal infections usually cause localized symptoms, like rash and itching. Viral and bacterial infections can have symptoms in many areas of your body, like:

  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Congestion.
  • Cough.
  • Fatigue.
  • Muscle aches and headache.
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).

It’s important to see a doctor if you have any chronic (ongoing) symptoms or symptoms that get worse over time.

What causes infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases are caused by a variety of agents that invade your body from the outside. These include:

  • Viruses.
  • Bacteria.
  • Fungi.
  • Parasites.
  • Prions.

You may develop symptoms when your cells are damaged or destroyed by the invading organism and as your immune system responds to the infection.

How do infectious diseases spread?

Depending on the type of infection, there are many ways that infectious diseases can spread. Fortunately, in most cases, there are simple ways to prevent infection.

Your mouth, your nose and cuts in your skin are common places for pathogens to enter your body. Diseases can spread:

  • From person to person when you cough or sneeze. In some cases, droplets from coughing or sneezing can linger in the air.
  • From close contact with another person, like kissing or oral, anal or vaginal sex.
  • By sharing utensils or cups with other people.
  • On surfaces like doorknobs, phones and countertops.
  • Through contact with poop from a person or animal with an infectious disease.
  • Through bug (mosquito or tick) or animal bites.
  • From contaminated or improperly prepared food or water.
  • From working with contaminated soil or sand (like gardening).
  • From a pregnant person to the fetus.
  • From blood transfusions, organ/tissue transplants or other medical procedures.

How are infectious diseases diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider usually diagnoses infectious diseases using one or more lab tests. Your provider can look for signs of disease by:

  • Swabbing your nose or throat.
  • Getting blood, pee (urine), poop (stool) or spit (saliva) samples.
  • Taking a biopsy or scraping a small sample of skin or other tissue.
  • Getting imaging (X-rays, CT scans or MRIs) of affected parts of your body.

Some test results, like from a nose swab, come back quickly, but other results might take longer. For instance, sometimes bacteria has to be grown in a lab (cultured) from a sample before you can get your test result.

How are infectious diseases treated?

Treatment depends on what causes the infection. Sometimes your healthcare provider will recommend monitoring your symptoms rather than taking medication.

  • Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. The right antibiotic depends on what bacteria causes the infection.
  • You can manage most viral infections with over-the-counter medications for your symptoms until you feel better. If you have the flu, your healthcare provider may prescribe oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®) in some cases. Certain viral infections have special medications to treat them, like antiretroviral therapy for HIV.
  • Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal medications. You can take them orally, like fluconazole (Diflucan®) or put them on your skin just where the fungus is, like clotrimazole (Lotrimin®).
  • Parasites can be treated with antiparasitic drugs, such as mebendazole (Emverm®).
  • There are no treatments for prion diseases.

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria develop mutations that make it harder for our medicines to destroy them. This happens when antibiotics are overused, such as for minor infections that your body could fight off on its own.

Antibiotic resistance makes some bacterial infections very difficult to treat and more likely to be life-threatening. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an example of a bacterial infection that has become antibiotic-resistant.

Healthcare providers are working to reduce antibiotic resistance. You can help — and protect yourself — by finishing all of your antibiotic medication as prescribed. This helps to make sure all of the bacteria are destroyed and can’t mutate.

Can infectious diseases be prevented?

There are many simple ways to reduce your risk of infectious disease and even prevent certain illnesses altogether. While each of these helps to reduce your risk of getting and spreading infectious diseases, often there’s no single way that’s 100% effective at preventing disease. That’s why it’s important to have many habits for reducing your risk.

You can think of it as lining up slices of Swiss cheese, a model suggested by James Reason, PhD. Where some slices have holes, other slices give protection. Getting recommended vaccinations, and simple habits like practicing safe food handling and washing your hands, work together to give you layers of protection.

Vaccines

Vaccines reduce your risk of getting an infectious disease by training your immune system to recognize and fight off infections from harmful invaders. While people sometimes do still get sick with a disease after getting vaccinated for it, your symptoms are usually less severe than they would’ve been without the vaccination.

Usually given as a shot or series of shots (or, less commonly, as a nasal spray), vaccines are available for many common infectious diseases, including:

The CDC has up-to-date recommendations for vaccinations for children, adolescents and adults. If you’re traveling, make sure you have all of the recommended vaccinations for your destination before you go.

Safe food handling

Safe food handling habits help prevent certain infectious diseases.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before, during and after food preparation.
  • Peel or thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables.
  • Freeze meats at 0⁰F (-18⁰C) until ready to thaw.
  • Cook meats to a safe temperature before eating.
  • Wash food preparation surfaces and utensils with soap and water after use.
  • Don’t eat uncooked or undercooked seafood.
  • Don’t drink untreated water.
  • Don’t drink unpasteurized milk.

Other ways to help prevent infectious disease

In addition to vaccines and safe food handling habits, you can reduce your risk of coming down with or spreading an infectious disease with a few everyday practices.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water. Thorough hand-washing is particularly important before preparing a meal or eating, after using the bathroom, after contact with poop (animal or human) and after gardening or working with dirt.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home and workplace.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick with an infectious disease or sharing personal items with them.
  • Avoid contact with others while you are sick with an infectious disease.
  • Don’t drink from or swim in water that could be contaminated.
  • Wear a mask around others when you are sick or as recommended by the CDC.
  • Use a condom during any kind of sex.
  • To reduce the risk of tick or mosquito bites, use bug repellent approved for ticks and mosquitos, cover as much exposed skin as you can with clothing and check for ticks after being in the woods or areas with long grass.

What are the outcomes after treatment for infectious diseases?

With treatment, most people get better after being sick with an infectious disease.

Sometimes there can still be serious complications, especially with respiratory illnesses. People with compromised immune systems are more at risk for serious complications, but they can happen in healthy people too.

Some diseases, like HIV and hepatitis B, can’t be cured, but medications can help prevent serious complications. Sexually transmitted infections can cause infertility or even lead to cancer, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and others.

Prion diseases are very serious and can’t be cured. They are fortunately some of the rarest infectious diseases.

When should I call my healthcare provider concerning an infectious disease?

Let your healthcare provider know if you have any symptoms of an infectious disease, especially if they’re unusual or don’t go away over time. If you have an ongoing infection, frequent follow-ups with your provider can help ensure your condition doesn’t worsen.

Your provider should also know if you plan to travel to foreign countries. You may need to be vaccinated against infections that are more common at your destination.

What are emerging infectious diseases?

Emerging infectious diseases are those that are new or are infecting more people than they had previously. Special research is dedicated to these diseases. Some emerging infectious disease agents include Ebola, salmonella, hepatitis A, certain coronaviruses and West Nile virus.

What are common pediatric infectious diseases?

Babies and children can be more likely to get sick from infectious diseases because their immune systems are still developing. They also can’t practice good hygiene on their own like adults can. Some infectious diseases that can be more common in children include:

A note from QBan Health Care Services

We coexist with viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites every day. In fact, you have 10 times more bacteria inside your body than human cells — we couldn’t live without them!

Some of the organisms that we come across can be harmful. Fortunately, there are many simple things you can do to keep yourself healthy.

It’s also important to remember that there might be people around you who aren’t able to fight off infections easily. Washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and other simple habits can help protect others from getting seriously ill. A small habit for you could be life-saving for someone else.

REBOUND HEADACHES

Rebound headaches, formally known as “medication overuse headaches,” happen when you treat headaches with medication too often, causing more headaches, which can be even worse. Fortunately, they’re treatable and preventable.

What are rebound headaches?

Rebound headaches are a headache disorder that can happen when you treat headaches with medication too often. They’re formally known as “medication overuse headaches,” but “rebound headaches” is the more commonly used term. They’re always a secondary condition to other headache disorders like cluster headaches. They’re especially common with migraines.

Rebound headaches get that name from the way they happen. When you have rebound headaches, you get temporary relief from medications for your headache, but when the medications wear off, the pain “rebounds” and often feels worse.

Rebound headaches are possible with all medications that treat migraines. That includes prescription medications and over-the-counter painkillers. However, certain prescription medications — especially those that contain controlled medications like opioids and barbiturates — are most likely to cause rebound headaches.

How common are rebound headaches?

Rebound headaches are uncommon but widespread. Experts estimate they affect around 1% of people worldwide, but some estimates go as low as 0.5% and as high as 2.6% of people worldwide. They’re much more likely to affect women and people assigned female at birth.

What are the symptoms of rebound headaches?

Rebound headaches are most likely to evolve from migraines or tension-type headaches. The symptoms of rebound headaches involve many features of the headaches you’re trying to treat, including:

  • Pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Fatigue.
  • Trouble concentrating.
  • Memory problems.
  • Depression, anxiety or panic.

These headaches also tend to happen in certain ways:

  • You have them when you wake up or soon after waking up.
  • They get better with medication but return after the medication wears off.
  • The headaches can be more intense after the medication wears off.
  • Medications of any kind are less effective when you have this condition.

What causes rebound headaches?

Rebound headaches happen when you treat headaches too frequently with medication. They’re possible with any headache medications but can develop more easily with some.

The medications that can cause rebound headaches are:

To develop rebound headaches, you have to take these a minimum number of days per month. The number of days depends on the medication.

At least 10 days per monthAt least 15 days per month
Opioids and opioid-containing combination drugs.NSAIDs.
Barbiturate-containing medications.Acetaminophen.
Triptans.Any combination of the above two that does NOT include any of the medications from the left column.
Ergotamine and ergotamine-containing combination medications.
Acetaminophen-aspirin-caffeine combination medications.
Any combination of medications that includes at least one of the above.

Pain centralization

Experts suspect that rebound headaches happen because of changes in how your body handles pain signals. Chronic pain changes how your body handles pain signals, making it easier for those signals to happen or changing how you feel pain (it becomes more severe, or you feel pain from sensations that didn’t hurt previously).

Likewise, frequent pain medication use also changes how your body handles and processes pain signals. It can mean you need higher doses of pain medications because you develop a tolerance to medications, or your nervous system might generate or relay pain signals differently. More research is necessary before experts can confirm if either of these possibilities plays a role in rebound headaches.

What are the risk factors for rebound headaches?

Rebound headaches are more likely to happen to people who have or meet any of the following criteria:

What are the complications of this condition?

There are a few possible complications of rebound headaches:

  • Developing chronic migraines.
  • Dependence on medications, including controlled substances.
  • Toxicity or overdose from overuse of medications.
  • NSAID-related complications like upper digestive tract bleeding (such as stomach ulcers).
  • More frequent or worsening rebound headache symptoms.

How are rebound headaches diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can diagnose rebound headaches using the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria. Those criteria are:

  • Headaches that happen at least 15 days per month related to a previously existing headache disorder.
  • Regular use of medications to treat the headaches for at least three months.
  • Another condition or diagnosis doesn’t better explain the headaches.

There aren’t any tests that can diagnose rebound headaches.

How are rebound headaches treated, and is there a cure?

Rebound headaches are very treatable. There isn’t a cure for them, but treatment can make them stop.

Treatment involves the following:

  • Stopping the medication(s) contributing to the rebound headaches. This is the most important part of treating rebound headaches, and the stoppage has to be total for this to work. With some medications, especially opioids or barbiturates, your healthcare provider may slowly decrease your dose to prevent withdrawal. Your healthcare provider will guide you on safely stopping taking these medications.
  • Alternate medications. Switching medications can help with the headache symptoms while you avoid taking the medication(s) that caused the rebound headaches. These are often called “bridge medications.” Bridge medications are medications that work differently from the one(s) that caused your rebound headaches. Onabotulinumtoxin A injections (commonly known as Botox®), long-acting NSAIDs (such as naproxen) or antiseizure medications like topiramate are some of the most likely alternate treatments.
  • Nonmedication treatments. These help you adjust your body and mind to the changes in your treatment, especially if you have symptoms like anxiety or depression. These treatments can include psychotherapy, biofeedback, hypnotherapy and relaxation training. Mental health therapies, to reduce your stress levels in particular, can help you avoid the recurrence of rebound headaches in the near future.

Complications/side effects of treatment

One of the possible side effects of treatment is headache symptoms that worsen temporarily. You may be able to limit this side effect by carefully tapering off of your current medications. Using bridge medications or alternative medications to manage your headaches may also help.

If the medications you took were potentially habit-forming, like opioids or barbiturates, withdrawal is also a possibility. Your healthcare provider will likely reduce your medication doses gradually to help you avoid this.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

The recovery time can vary depending on the medications you took, the dosages you were taking and other factors. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you about your likely recovery timeline and what you can do to help yourself along the way.

Can rebound headaches be prevented?

Yes, rebound headaches are very preventable. The key to preventing them is limiting how often you use medications of any kind to treat your headaches.

For some people, headaches — especially migraines (which account for 80% of rebound headache cases) — are unavoidable. As anyone who’s had a migraine can tell you, these are not just bad headaches. They range from extremely unpleasant to totally incapacitating. Without treatment to stop a migraine, some people will only get vague symptom relief by finding a dark, quiet room to hide in until the migraine passes.

Rebound headaches aren’t preferable, but neither are frequent migraines that disrupt your life. Fortunately, newer treatments (especially preventive treatments) open the door to preventing migraines or limiting how often they happen. These treatments can reduce the number of migraines you experience. You can also work with your provider to determine if you have migraine triggers and then avoid them.

That may make it possible for you to use “rescue” meds that stop migraines less frequently, which might be enough to prevent developing rebound headaches.

If you have questions about how you can prevent migraines or headaches, talk to your healthcare provider. They can offer a range of treatment options, including medications and other methods, which might help reduce migraine and headache frequency and severity.

IMPORTANT: You should always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on medication dosage and how often to take them. This is an essential part of helping you avoid rebound headaches. Don’t take medications — even over-the-counter ones — more frequently than your provider recommends.

What can I expect if I have rebound headaches?

If you have rebound headaches, you can expect a continuing cycle of headaches that worsens as long as you keep taking the medication(s) contributing to the “rebound” effect. Stopping the medication(s) causing the rebound headaches is essential to reversing this condition.

How long do rebound headaches last?

Rebound headaches will continue to happen as long as you take the medications that cause or contribute to them. The headaches themselves can vary in length, and many factors can affect their duration. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what you should expect from the headaches themselves.

How long will it take for rebound headaches to go away?

Most people will see their rebound headaches fade and stop within two months. For more severe cases, it may take up to six months. During that time, your healthcare provider will help you manage your symptoms to reduce how they affect you. They’ll also monitor your symptoms as needed to make sure your treatments are working as they should.

What’s the outlook for rebound headaches?

The outlook for rebound headaches is generally positive, especially if you recognize them and get treatment sooner rather than later.

Treatment is generally successful in helping people with this condition. But relapses and the return of the headaches are possible. If you notice them returning, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Treating rebound headaches early can make treatment faster and easier.

Without treatment, or with delayed treatment, the outlook isn’t as favorable. Rebound headaches can have very negative effects on your quality of life. Recovery also gets more difficult the longer you continue using the medication that causes your rebound headaches. These factors are part of why early diagnosis and treatment are so important.

How do I take care of myself?

If you have rebound headaches, following your healthcare provider’s guidance on treating them is important. One key to that treatment is avoiding taking the medication(s) that contributed to the rebound headaches in the first place. Doing so will speed up how quickly the headaches go away.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should see your healthcare provider as recommended during your treatment for rebound headaches. You should also see your provider if you notice any changes in headache frequency or symptoms, or if the symptoms change in a way that affects your daily routine.

Rebound headaches aren’t dangerous on their own. Some of the medications that people take to treat them can be, though.

What does a rebound headache feel like?

Rebound headaches feel much like the headaches you have previously experienced. But they often feel worse in terms of symptom severity. You may experience additional symptoms like anxiety or depression, to name a couple.

Does caffeine make rebound headaches worse?

Yes, if you consume more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day. Limiting caffeine intake can help improve your chances of success and limit the severity of rebound headaches.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

When you experience headaches or migraines that are severe, frequent or both, the thought of going without medications to treat them can seem too unpleasant to bear. But there are other ways to treat your migraines that can reduce your need for medications causing rebound headaches.

With the right treatment, you can not only put rebound headaches behind you, but also more effectively avoid the medications that led to the rebound headaches. That way, you can get on with your activities and live your life in a way you prefer, not one where headache symptoms limit you.

SINUS HEADACHES

Sinus headaches are a symptom of sinus infections (sinusitis). A sinus headache may feel like a dull pain behind your eyes, in your cheekbones, forehead or bridge of your nose. Typically, sinus headaches go away once a sinus infection runs its course. But people should contact a healthcare provider if they have one that lasts more than a week.

What is a sinus headache?

A sinus headache is a symptom of sinus infections (sinusitis). Sinus headaches make your face hurt. You may feel a constant, dull ache behind the eyes or in your cheekbones, forehead and the bridge of your nose. The pain gets worse when you move your head suddenly or you bend over. Typically, sinus headaches go away once a sinus infection runs its course.

What causes sinus headaches?

If you have a sinus headache, a viral or bacterial infection in your sinuses may be to blame. Sinuses are a series of connected hollow spaces behind your cheekbones, forehead and nose. Air that comes in through your nose travels through your sinuses on its way to your lungs.

Your sinuses are lined with tissue. They also make mucus that keeps your nose moist and traps intruders like bacteria, viruses, fungi and dust-carrying allergens.

Normally, free-flowing mucus carries off intruders before they can make trouble in your sinuses. But sometimes your sinuses’ reaction to intruders starts a chain reaction that leads to sinus headaches.

First, your sinuses start making more mucus. Mucus building up in your sinuses creates a place where intruders like bacteria and viruses can settle and grow. Growing intruders make sinus tissue swell, trapping mucus so it can’t flow from your sinuses. The result is swollen, irritated, fluid-filled sinuses that make your face feel achy and tender.

What are sinus headache risk factors?

Sinus headaches stem from sinus infections. Understanding sinus infection risk factors may reduce your risk of sinus headaches. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, those risk factors include:

  • Having the common cold.
  • Seasonal allergies.
  • Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Structural issues within your sinuses. For example, nasal polyps or a deviated septum may trap mucus in your sinuses.
  • Having a weak immune system or taking drugs that weaken your immune system increases your risk of infections, including sinus infections.

How are sinus headaches diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, you may also need imaging tests like X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.

Imaging tests show if your sinuses are blocked. If they aren’t, it may mean you have a different issue like a migraine or a tension headache. Migraine headaches and sinus headaches have common symptoms. Studies suggest 80% of people who thought they had sinus headaches had migraines.

What’s the treatment for sinus headaches?

Sinus headaches happen because you have a sinus infection. Healthcare providers may treat bacterial infections with antibiotics. Viral infections typically go away without treatment.

Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to ease discomfort, like:

Is there a way to get rid of my sinus headache instantly?

Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for sinus headaches. You need treatment for the underlying cause to get rid of a sinus headache. But there are things you can do to ease sinus pressure and pain:

  • Apply a warm compress to painful areas of your face.
  • Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and allow mucus to drain.
  • Try a saline nasal spray or drops to thin the mucus.
  • Use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pan of boiled water. Warm, moist air may help relieve sinus congestion.

Can sinus headaches be prevented?

Preventing sinus infections is the best way to prevent sinus headaches. For example, many people have seasonal allergies that make spring a season of stuffy noses (nasal congestion) that may turn into a viral sinus infection. If that’s your situation, talk to an allergist. They’ll have recommendations and treatments to prevent or ease allergies that cause nasal congestion. Here are other suggestions for heading off sinus headaches:

  • Colds may lead to viral sinus infections. You can prevent colds by washing your hands or using hand sanitizers and staying away from people who have colds.
  • Nasal polyps may block your sinuses and cause sinus headaches. Treatments include steroid sprays and pills, stents and surgery to remove polyps.
  • A deviated septum may be why your sinuses are blocked. Septoplasty is surgery to repair your septum.

How long do sinus headaches last?

That depends on what caused you to have sinusitis. For example, viruses cause most sinus infections. When the viral infection clears up, the sinus headache goes away. That may take a week or so. Sinus issues that don’t go away may mean you have a bacterial or fungal sinus infection that requires treatment like an antibiotic or antifungal.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Most sinus headaches go away when sinus infections clear. Talk to a healthcare provider if your sinus issues don’t go away within a week or so.

What questions should I ask a healthcare provider?

You may want to ask the following questions:

  • Do I have a sinus headache or another kind of headache?
  • If I have sinusitis, do I have a viral infection or a bacterial infection?
  • What at-home treatments help sinus infections?

How do I know if my headache is sinus-related?

There are several kinds of headaches that may make your head hurt in different ways. For example, people often confuse migraine headaches and sinus headaches because they both cause pain that pinpoints certain parts of your aching head. The difference is where pain happens:

  • Sinus headaches make your face hurt. The pain affects both sides of your head.
  • Migraine headaches typically cause pain high in your forehead, around your temples or in the back of your head. The pain typically affects one side of your head.
  • A sinus headache may feel like it’s lasting an eternity.

What’s the difference between sinusitis and a sinus headache?

The difference is that a sinus headache is just one symptom of sinusitis. If you have sinusitis, you may also have the following symptoms:

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Your head is throbbing. Your face hurts. And you don’t even want to think about moving your head or bending over. If this sounds familiar, you may have a sinus headache caused by a sinus infection. Most sinus infections and sinus headaches clear up within a week or 10 days. When they don’t, it’s time to contact a healthcare provider. You may have a bacterial or fungal sinus infection or a migraine. Either way, you’ll need special medication that treats infections or migraines. A healthcare provider will do tests to diagnose the issue. They’ll also recommend things you can do at home to ease your symptoms.

DEHYDRATION HEADACHE

A dehydration headache happens when your body is dehydrated (doesn’t get the fluids it needs). Headache pain often appears along with other symptoms of dehydration, including dizziness, extreme thirst and dry mouth. Pain usually goes away after drinking water, resting and taking pain relief medication.

What is a dehydration headache?

A dehydration-related headache happens when your body doesn’t get enough fluids. Even mild dehydration can cause a headache. Usually, other symptoms of dehydration (such as fatigue, dizziness, extreme thirst and dry mouth) appear along with headache pain.

Dehydration headaches often get better with at-home remedies like drinking water, resting and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. If you have signs of severe dehydration (such as confusion or dizziness), get medical help right away.

How common are dehydration headaches?

Nearly everyone gets a headache from time to time. Headaches are the most common type of pain. They result from many different conditions, disorders and diseases, including dehydration.

Healthcare providers aren’t sure how many people get dehydration headaches. In the United States, most people don’t get enough fluids, either from their food or by drinking water. Lack of fluids can lead to dehydration, which causes headaches. Babies, young children and older adults have a higher risk of dehydration. People with certain health conditions (such as diabetes) also have an increased risk.

What does a dehydration headache feel like?

Pain from a dehydration headache can range from mild to severe. You may feel pain all over your head or in just one spot, such as the back, front or side. The pain is usually like a dull ache, but it can also be sharp.

You may have a throbbing (pounding) headache, or the pain might be constant. The pain might get worse when you bend over, shake your head or move around.

Other dehydration symptoms usually occur along with headache pain. These include:

  • Dark urine (pee) and a decreased need to urinate.
  • Dizziness and confusion.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Fatigue.
  • Heat cramps (muscle cramps).
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Passing out or fainting (syncope). This happens in severe cases of dehydration.
  • Intense thirst (although you may not feel thirsty at all).
  • If your child has a headache along with signs of dehydration, call your healthcare provider right away. Symptoms of dehydration in babies and children include fewer trips to the bathroom (or fewer wet diapers), pale skin and weakness or lethargy. It’s essential to get medical help immediately.

What is dehydration?

Your body is mostly made of water. It’s in your blood, organs, soft tissues and bones. When you sweat and urinate, your body loses fluids and electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that help your body work like it should.

Dehydration happens when the amount of fluid that’s leaving your body (in sweat and urine) is more than the amount of fluid you’re taking in. Dehydration can be dangerous because it means your body isn’t getting the fluids it needs.

Dehydration can result from:

  • Diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Lack of adequate water intake.
  • Drinking too much alcohol, which can cause a hangover.
  • Heavy sweating from exercise, physical activity or heat. Exercising in higher altitudes also increases the risk of dehydration.
  • Some medications, such as diuretics (water pills) to treat heart failure and other conditions. Water pills help your body get rid of excess fluid and salt.

What causes a dehydration headache?

When you’re dehydrated, your brain and other tissues in your body shrink (contract). As your brain shrinks, it pulls away from the skull, puts pressure on nerves and causes pain.

Even mild dehydration can lead to a headache. When you drink water and other fluids, the brain plumps up to its previous size and the pain goes away.

How do I know if I have a dehydration headache?

There are many different types of headaches. Some headaches (like migraines and tension headaches) have no known cause. Healthcare providers call these primary headaches.

Dehydration headaches are secondary headaches because providers know what causes them. You probably have a dehydration headache if:

  • Headache pain goes away or gets better with water and rest.
  • Pain is only in your head (other types of headaches can cause pain in the neck or shoulders).
  • You also have other symptoms of dehydration.

If your headache doesn’t get better after drinking water and resting, see your provider for a checkup. Another condition or illness may be causing your headache. Your provider may order imaging studies (like an MRI or CT scan) to see pictures of your brain and determine what’s causing the pain.

How do I manage dehydration headaches?

Most dehydration headaches get better in a few hours with at-home treatments. To relieve pain from a dehydration headache, you should try headache remedies such as:

  • Fluids: Take small sips of water. Drinking too much water too quickly can make you feel sick to your stomach. You can try sucking on ice cubes if you have an upset stomach. Electrolyte drinks (sports drinks) can also replace fluids. But they usually contain high levels of sugar, so only drink them in moderation or choose one with no added sugar.
  • Rest: Take a break from physical activity. If you’re in the heat or sun, try relaxing in a cool, shady place. Give your body time to rest.
  • Pain relievers: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provide headache relief. Some headache medicines have caffeine. Avoid these medicines, since caffeine can make dehydration worse.
  • Ice: Applying a cold compress to your head can relieve pain. You can also wet a washcloth with cold water and place it on your forehead.

People who are very dehydrated may need additional care. Some people may need to stay in the hospital while they’re recovering. Healthcare providers treat severe dehydration with IV fluids (through a vein in the arm).

How do I prevent a dehydration headache?

The best way to avoid a dehydration headache is to stay hydrated. To prevent dehydration, you should:

  • Drink plenty of fluids: Carry water with you when you leave home, and take sips throughout the day.
  • Hydrate before you feel thirsty: Drink fluids throughout the day. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. If you wait until you’re craving water, you’re already a little dehydrated. People who are older might not feel thirsty at all because you can lose your sense of thirst as you age.
  • Replace the fluids you lose: When you’re exercising or doing physical activity, take water breaks often. During some sports (like swimming), you may not notice how much you’re sweating. Drinking fluid throughout the day prior to participating in a sport is also helpful.
  • Take a break when you need to rest: Listen to your body. If you feel tired or dizzy, take a water break.
  • Watch the heat: If you’re outside on a hot day, drink extra water. Rest often, and find a way to stay cool in hot weather.

What is the outlook for people with dehydration headaches?

Most dehydration headaches get better after drinking water and taking it easy for a while. If headaches keep happening, you may have chronic (long-term) dehydration. Chronic dehydration can lead to serious medical problems, including kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs). People who aren’t hydrated have a higher risk of heat exhaustion and other heat illness.

Dehydration can trigger (cause) a migraine headache. If you get migraines, it’s essential to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated may help you prevent a migraine attack.

When should I see my healthcare provider about a dehydration headache?

See your healthcare provider if:

  • Headache pain doesn’t get better: If you still have a headache after drinking water, resting and taking over-the-counter pain medications, call your healthcare provider. Most dehydration headaches get better after a few hours of water and rest.
  • Pain comes back or is severe: Call your healthcare provider if your pain returns. Chronic (recurring) headaches and severe pain may be a sign of a serious health condition.
  • You have other symptoms: Vision problems, dizziness, nausea and vomiting can be signs of a serious condition. See your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms, along with headache pain that doesn’t go away.
  • You have signs of severe dehydration: Dehydration can also lead to serious health problems. If you or your child has signs of dehydration, see your healthcare provider right away.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Dehydration headaches can range from mildly annoying to severely painful. But they usually go away after drinking water and relaxing in a cool place. To prevent a dehydration headache, drink water throughout the day and increase the amount you drink when you exercise. Always stop and drink water if you feel symptoms of dehydration. If your headache doesn’t go away with water and rest, call your healthcare provider. Get help right away if you have a severe headache or if your pain comes back.

COUGH HEADACHE

Cough headaches cause head pain after activities like coughing, laughing or straining. These headaches usually last fewer than 30 minutes and get better on their own. There are two types of cough headaches; one is more severe and the other is usually harmless. A healthcare provider will diagnose and treat these headaches.

What is a cough headache?

A cough headache is head pain that occurs after coughing, sneezing, laughing or straining. A cough headache can last anywhere from a few seconds to 30 minutes, on average. Some can last up to two hours. These headaches aren’t common. Most cases are harmless, but some may have a more serious cause.

What are the types of cough headaches?

There are two types of cough headaches:

  • Primary cough headache: A primary cough headache isn’t the result of an underlying condition.
  • Secondary cough headache: An underlying condition causes a secondary cough headache. About half of all people who experience a cough headache have a secondary cough headache.

It’s important to see a healthcare provider to determine the cause of your headache.

What are the symptoms of a cough headache?

Symptoms of a cough headache may include:

  • Head pain that happens suddenly after coughing or straining and goes away shortly after.
  • Head pain on one or both sides of your head (usually the front and sides for primary and back for secondary).
  • A dull, sharp or stabbing pain (mild or severe).

Less common symptoms of a cough headache include:

What causes a cough headache?

A cough headache happens suddenly after:

  • Coughing.
  • Sneezing.
  • Blowing your nose.
  • Straining (like during a bowel movement or lifting weights).
  • Laughing.
  • Crying.

The exact cause of a primary cough headache isn’t well understood. Experts think coughing raises the pressure inside your chest and abdomen (belly), which increases the pressure in your brain.

Most causes of a secondary cough headache happen due to a growth abnormality in your brain. One of the most common is Chiari malformation type I. This occurs when brain tissue in the lower back part of your skull extends into your spinal canal (the base of your skull). It’s the area of your brain that regulates your balance.

Other causes of a secondary cough headache include:

What are the risk factors for a cough headache?

Cough headaches can happen to anyone at any age. However, primary cough headaches usually affect people after age 40 and secondary cough headaches most often affect people before age 40.

What are the complications of a cough headache?

Cough headaches can interfere with your daily routine and your mood. This can prevent you from functioning and feeling your best.

Secondary cough headache causes can be dangerous, sometimes life-threatening. If you experience a sudden headache without a known cause, contact a healthcare provider.

How is a cough headache diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose a cough headache after a physical exam and testing. During the exam, your provider will ask about which symptoms you’re experiencing, how often they happen and how long they last.

Testing can help your healthcare provider determine if an underlying condition caused your headache (secondary cough headache) or rule out conditions with similar symptoms. Your provider may offer tests like:

How do you get rid of a cough headache?

Primary cough headaches go away on their own, usually after 30 minutes. Because these headaches don’t last long, you won’t need to treat them every time they happen.

If you have frequent headaches that are painful and disruptive, a healthcare provider may suggest preventive medications like:

  • Acetazolamide.
  • Indomethacin.
  • Propranolol.
  • Topiramate.

Your provider will explain the side effects of these medications before you start taking them.

Some cough headaches go away after a lumbar puncture (diagnostic test), which removes a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the area around your spinal column (subarachnoid space).

You may need surgery to repair a structural issue that’s causing your headaches. Your surgeon will tell you which type of procedure you’ll need and what to expect.

Can a cough headache be prevented?

You may not be able to prevent cough headaches. But they can often be treated by removing the cause.

The best way to prevent cough headaches is to avoid coughing. This is easier said than done. Everyone coughs sometimes. If you know certain activities make you more likely to cough a lot (and trigger a headache), try to avoid them as often as possible. It also isn’t realistic to stop yourself from expressing emotion, like laughing or crying, even if it may cause a headache.

If you cough or strain often, a healthcare provider can help you find solutions, which may include:

  • Having an exam and tests to check for and treat upper respiratory issues or allergies that cause frequent coughing.
  • Taking stool softeners to avoid straining during bowel movements.
  • Checking with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to see if coughing is a side effect of a current medication you take regularly.
  • Finding ways to stay active that don’t involve straining (like weightlifting).

What can I expect if I have a cough headache?

Most cough headaches resolve on their own. Some may last longer, but it’s less common. Treatment isn’t necessary for primary cough headaches unless they happen frequently and disrupt your daily routine. Many primary cough headache episodes last for several years before going away completely.

Secondary cough headaches usually need treatment with surgery. Some causes can be life-threatening. A healthcare provider can help you find a treatment option that works best for your situation.

How long does a cough headache last?

A cough headache usually lasts for 30 minutes or less. They can last for a few seconds or minutes up to a couple of hours (in rare cases).

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Contact a healthcare provider if you develop a sudden headache when coughing. Your provider can diagnose the cause and help you find ways to manage pain and other symptoms.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

You may want to ask your provider:

  • What type of cough headache do I have?
  • Do I need diagnostic testing?
  • Which type of treatment do you recommend?
  • Are there side effects of treatment?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Coughing can be disruptive. Feeling a headache after a cough can really interfere with your day and your mood. Even though they’re temporary, a cough headache can be a frequent annoyance or a sign that something’s wrong. You don’t have to just “deal” with headaches. Your healthcare provider will diagnose what’s causing pain and suggest treatments to help you feel better.

HUNGER HEADACHE

A hunger headache causes dull pain that happens when you’re hungry. The pain goes away shortly after eating. But you can take steps to avoid these headaches, even if you can’t eat for long periods of time.

What is a hunger headache?

This type of headache happens when you’re hungry. You’re more likely to experience hunger headaches when there are long periods of time between meals. They can also happen when you’re not eating enough.

How does a hunger headache affect my body?

Headaches when you’re hungry are a signal that you need more calories. You may experience:

  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Your brain is not getting the energy it needs from blood sugar (glucose) in food.
  • Muscle tension: Your body releases a substance (histamine) that causes muscles to tense up.
  • Stress: A drop in blood sugar can trigger the release of stress hormones that cause a headache.

What causes headaches when you’re hungry?

Hunger and low blood sugar headaches can have many causes, including:

  • Dehydration.
  • Dieting and new eating regimens, like intermittent fasting.
  • Drinking more or fewer caffeinated beverages than usual, including coffee or soda.
  • Eating at irregular times.
  • Long periods of time between meals, such as when you’re having a busy day or fasting.
  • Not getting enough sleep.
  • Skipping meals.

What are the symptoms of hunger headaches?

Most people experience pain toward the front of their heads that may extend to both sides. You may also have:

  • Mild nausea.
  • Muscle tension in your neck or shoulders.

With low blood sugar headaches, you may also experience:

How is a hunger headache diagnosed?

You can diagnose it yourself by listening to your body. If you’re experiencing dull head pain and it’s been a while since you’ve eaten, it’s probably a hunger headache.

How do I treat headaches when I’m hungry?

Treatment includes eating something. The best option is a balanced meal with foods full of vitamins and nutrients and plenty of water. If you’re short on time, a healthy snack can help.

How soon will I feel better?

Once your body starts digesting food, you should start feeling better. Hunger headaches typically go away within 30 minutes of eating.

What if I don’t feel better?

If you don’t feel better after eating, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help.

How can I prevent hunger headaches?

You can lower your risk of hunger and low blood sugar headaches by:

  • Drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
  • Eating frequent, smaller meals.
  • Getting a good night’s rest.
  • Scheduling breaks throughout the day for snacks or meals.

What if I’m delaying eating because I get headaches afterward?

The issue might not be when you’re eating, but what you’re eating. Certain foods are more likely to cause headaches, including:

  • Aged cheeses, like feta, Parmesan and Swiss.
  • Foods that contain the additive monosodium glutamate (MSG).
  • Dried meats and fruits.
  • High-sugar and processed foods, such as packaged cookies and crackers.
  • Meat products like hot dogs and pepperoni that contain additives (nitrates and nitrites).

What foods should I eat instead?

Your diet should include:

  • Plenty of water.
  • Limited amounts of caffeine, high-sugar and processed foods.
  • Raw fruits and vegetables, or cooked ones with little added fat or sugar.
  • Brown rice and whole-grain bread.
  • Nuts and seeds.
  • Meats and fish that aren’t cured, smoked or dried.

Are hunger headaches ever something to worry about?

Getting headaches when you’re hungry can be bothersome. But they don’t affect your health. Some headaches and symptoms can be a sign of a medical issue, though.

When should I consider seeing a healthcare provider?

You may want to see your healthcare provider for mild headaches that:

  • Don’t respond to over-the-counter medications.
  • Require more than the recommended medication dose to get relief.
  • Interfere with daily activities.

Important: Severe headaches that come on quickly may be a sign of a stroke. Seek immediate care if you experience a sudden and severe headache along with other symptoms, such as:

  • Confusion.
  • Dizziness.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Vision loss.

What if hunger headaches are due to dieting?

Your body is sensitive to changes in eating habits. When you’re dieting, it’s natural to feel hungry. But when hunger pangs come with head pain, try eating a little more. You might not lose weight as fast, but it’ll spare you the discomfort of regular headaches.

What if I can’t eat for a day because I’m fasting for religious purposes?

Fasting headaches are common. You can lower your risk by planning ahead.

A few days before the fast:

  • Avoid caffeine.
  • Eat nutritious meals.
  • Increase the amount of water you’re drinking.

The meal before the fast:

  • Consume complex carbohydrates, like potatoes and other starchy vegetables, with some protein.
  • Don’t eat portions that are larger than normal.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Hunger headaches are your body’s way of signaling that you need calories. They don’t go away on their own. The best treatment is eating a balanced meal with protein, fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. Most people don’t need to see their healthcare provider for a hunger headache. You may need care if your symptoms are severe or don’t respond to pain relievers, though.

EXERTION HEADACHES

Exertion headaches, often called exercise headaches, involve pain during or after physical activity. They last a few minutes to two days. Although the headaches usually have no underlying cause, you should talk to a healthcare provider to make sure. Treatment is similar to other headaches, and certain strategies may help you prevent them.

What is an exertion headache?

An exertion headache (also known as exercise headaches) involves pain during or immediately after physical activity. It comes on quickly and goes away in a few minutes or hours, but can last as long as a couple of days. But there’s usually no underlying disease or disorder.

What activities might cause an exertional headache?

Examples of activities that might trigger an exertion headache include:

  • Coughing or sneezing.
  • Having sexual intercourse.
  • Running or doing aerobics.
  • Straining to go to the bathroom.
  • Weightlifting.

Because exercise is a common culprit, exertion headaches are often called exercise headaches or weightlifter’s headaches.

What causes an exercise headache?

When you exert yourself, your body needs more blood and oxygen. Scientists believe an exertional headache occurs when an activity causes veins and arteries to expand to allow more blood flow. That expansion and increased blood pressure create pressure in the skull, which causes the pain.

What are the symptoms of headache after a workout?

Symptoms of an exercise-induced headache often include:

  • Neck pain.
  • Pain on one or both sides of the head.
  • Pulsating or throbbing.
  • People sometimes describe exertion headaches as “the worst headache of their life.”

Sometimes the headaches feel like migraines and involve:

  • Effects on vision, such as blind spots.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Sensitivity to light.

How long do exertion headaches last?

Most exercise headaches last five minutes to 48 hours and happen for a period of three to six months.

How are exertion headaches diagnosed?

Anyone who has severe or frequent headaches should seek medical attention. Most exertional headaches aren’t caused by an underlying disease or disorder. But a healthcare provider may order some tests to rule out possible causes:

  • Angiography to examine the blood vessels, usually computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
  • MRI to take pictures of the brain.
  • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to take a sample of fluid from the spine for testing.

If tests don’t find an underlying cause, the healthcare provider can diagnose exertion headaches if you have had at least two headaches that:

  • Were caused by physical activity.
  • Started during or after physical activity.
  • Lasted less than 48 hours.

How is an exercise headache treated?

Exertional headaches usually can be treated the same way as regular headaches. Some medications that may help include:

  • Prescription NSAIDs such as indomethacin for short-term use.
  • Beta-blockers, such as nadolol and propranolol for longer-term use or those who can’t take NSAIDs.
  • Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as naproxen, but only for short-term use.

How can I prevent a headache after exercise?

The best way to prevent exercise-induced headaches is to avoid the activity that triggers them.

But if that’s not realistic, you can try different strategies to lower the chances. For example:

  • Avoid activity in extreme temperatures, too hot or too cold.
  • Don’t work out in altitudes you’re not used to.
  • Drink plenty of water so you are well-hydrated.
  • Get enough rest every day, including eight hours of sleep.
  • Mix up your exercise routine. Try another type of activity and see if it triggers a headache.
  • Warm up and cool down properly, and build intensity slowly over time.
  • Wear sunglasses if it’s bright outside and moisture-wicking clothes if it’s hot.
  • Eat a healthy diet, and avoid processed foods or foods with preservatives in them.

Some studies suggest that certain supplements can help prevent exertional headaches, such as:

What is the outlook for people with headaches after exercising?

Headaches after exercise don’t last long. Most are gone within a few minutes or hours, and they generally don’t last longer than 48 hours.

Although the episodes repeat, they usually resolve on their own in three to six months.

When should I seek medical attention for an exertion headache?

Although exertional headaches are generally not a sign of a problem, you should talk to a healthcare provider if:

  • Your headache is severe and sudden.
  • Your headache lasts longer than two days.
  • You also experience sleepiness or confusion.
  • You faint (syncope).

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Exertion headaches involve pain during or immediately after physical activity. They come on quickly and go away in a few minutes or hours, perhaps as long as a couple of days. There’s usually no underlying disease or disorder, but you should talk to a healthcare provider to rule out any problems. Medications and other strategies can help you prevent and treat headaches, which usually stop happening after a few months.

NICOTINE HEADACHE

Nicotine headaches may be a side effect of tobacco use. Or they may be a symptom of nicotine withdrawal. You can get nicotine headaches from cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine patches. The only way to get rid of nicotine headaches permanently is to quit using tobacco.

What is a nicotine headache?

Some people who use nicotine notice that they develop headaches during or after its use. Nicotine withdrawal may also cause headaches. Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and other tobacco products.

There’s a link between nicotine and headaches. But tobacco products contain many other chemicals as well, which may also contribute to headaches. In addition, headaches have countless causes. It may be difficult to figure out if nicotine is causing your headache or something else.

Researchers are still learning how nicotine and other tobacco chemicals contribute to headaches. So far, there isn’t a clear cause.

What does a nicotine headache feel like?

The main symptom of a nicotine headache is pain. Headache and pain types can vary. Some types of headaches are more common with nicotine use, including:

  • Cluster headaches: This severe, focused pain can last for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. You may get cluster headaches up to eight times a day for weeks or months.
  • Migraines: These headaches cause severe, throbbing pain. Studies have found conflicting results about the link between tobacco and migraines. Getting a migraine after you smoke may be linked to factors unrelated to nicotine, but research is still ongoing.
  • Tension headaches: These headaches cause a pressure or tight band feeling around your head. Cigarette smoke can be a trigger for this type of headache.

What causes nicotine headaches?

In general, headache pain results from signals interacting among your brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves. During a headache, multiple mechanisms activate specific nerves that affect muscles and blood vessels. These nerves send pain signals to your brain, causing a headache.

Researchers are still learning how exactly nicotine causes headaches. So far, some theories include:

  • Long-term (chronic) nicotine use makes your nerves more sensitive to pain signals. This could increase your vulnerability to headaches and pain in general.
  • Nicotine narrows your blood vessels, which could decrease blood flow to your brain and cause headaches.
  • Nicotine withdrawal may cause headaches due to changes in neurotransmitters that your brain was previously used to.

Researchers think the other chemicals involved in smoking cigarettes could contribute to headaches, including toxicity from carbon monoxide.

Strong odors are also known to trigger headaches and migraines. Smoke odors from cigarettes or cigars may be triggers.

Can nicotine patches cause headaches?

Yes, one of the possible side effects of nicotine patches is headaches. Nicotine patches are a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT can help you quit using nicotine. Other NRT products, like nicotine gum, can also cause headaches.

If you have severe headaches while using NRT, speak with a healthcare provider. Headaches may be a sign that the therapy is giving you too much or too little nicotine.

How are nicotine headaches diagnosed?

To diagnose a nicotine headache, a healthcare provider may ask you questions about headache symptoms. It’s important to be honest about your nicotine use, even if your healthcare provider doesn’t directly ask.

Your provider may want to know:

  • When headache symptoms start.
  • How long your symptoms last.
  • What factors decrease headache symptoms.
  • What tobacco products you use.
  • How often you use tobacco products.

What is the treatment for nicotine headache?

If you use nicotine regularly, your healthcare provider will likely encourage you to quit. Quitting nicotine use is the best way to get rid of nicotine headaches permanently. Giving up nicotine has many other health benefits, too.

Keep in mind that nicotine withdrawal can also lead to headaches in the first two to three weeks after quitting nicotine. To help you find nicotine withdrawal headache relief, your provider may recommend:

  • Over-the-counter pain medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®) can provide pain relief. Be aware that using nicotine can make these medicines less effective.
  • Prescription medications: Medicines such as triptans (Ergomar®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors (Nurtec®, Ubrelvy®), among other medications, may relieve migraine symptoms.

How can I prevent nicotine headaches?

The best way to prevent nicotine headaches is to avoid using all tobacco products. Besides getting headaches, using tobacco significantly increases your risk of lung cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease. It also makes it harder for your body to recover from surgery and health problems.

When you quit smoking cigarettes, your health risks decline sharply. Within five years of quitting, your stroke risk may be about as low as someone who has never smoked. Your risks for mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder cancer are cut in half. And within 10 years, your risk of dying from lung cancer decreases by 50%.

When do nicotine headaches stop?

Usually, nicotine headaches start going away about two to three weeks after quitting tobacco. You may still have mental symptoms, such as depression, irritability or anxiety, after physical symptoms go away.

When you quit using tobacco, the first week is the hardest. Physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia and tobacco cravings are usually the most intense in the first five days.

When should I see my healthcare provider about nicotine headaches?

If you want help quitting nicotine use, reach out to a healthcare provider. Their job is to help you, not to judge you. They can offer various resources and strategies for quitting.

If you have headaches or migraines that interfere with your life — whether you think they’re from nicotine or something else — it’s important to see a provider. They can do a headache evaluation and offer treatment options.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Nicotine impacts your health in many ways — and headaches may be one of them. Researchers know there’s a connection between the two but not the exact cause. The only way to know if nicotine is the culprit behind your headaches is to quit using the substance for good. You’ll gain several other health benefits by doing so.

CLUSTER HEADACHES

Cluster headaches cause severe, one-sided head pain. These headaches usually last for at least 30 minutes and happen multiple times per day. They tend to follow a pattern, often showing up at the same time each day. Headaches can last for months at a time before stopping. Treatment with medications can reduce how often and how painful these headaches are.

What is a cluster headache?

A cluster headache is pain on one side of your head that lasts from 15 minutes up to three hours. The pain occurs daily for weeks to months, often happening at the same time each day and up to eight times per day. When you feel recurring cluster headache pain, it’s called an attack. After an attack, you may go months or even years before you experience another cluster headache.

Why are they called cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches get their name from how they affect you. They come on in clusters, or groups, before temporarily going away for most people.

How do cluster headaches differ from other types of headaches?

Within your life, you’ve probably experienced a headache before. There are two main types of headaches:

  • Primary headaches: These start because of a response from the part of your brain that communicates pain. A primary headache is its own health challenge, not part of a larger issue.
  • Secondary headaches: These start because of another health condition. Several things can cause these headaches, including ear infections, nasal congestion and dehydration.

A cluster headache is a type of primary headache. But not every headache is a cluster headache. It’s easy to mistake a cluster headache for the following types of headaches:

  • Migraines: A migraine causes a throbbing, pulsing headache on one side of your head that gets worse with physical activity, lights, sounds or smells.
  • Sinus headaches: A sinus headache feels like a dull pain behind your eyes, in your cheekbones, forehead or nose. It’s a symptom of sinus infections (sinusitis).
  • Tension headaches: Tension headaches cause mild-to-moderate pain, which feels like a tight band around your head.

How common are cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches aren’t common. They affect an estimated 0.1% of people around the world. This equals about 1 out of every 100,000 people.

What are cluster headache symptoms?

Symptoms of cluster headaches happen on the same side of your head as the headache (unilateral) and include:

The location of your head pain may vary. It happens on only one side (unilateral) and in one of the following regions:

  • Orbital: Behind your eye or near your temple.
  • Supraorbital: Above your eye, near your forehead.
  • Temporal: Side of your head behind your ear.

Typically, you’ll have pain on the same side of your head during an attack cycle. While rare, it may switch locations during another attack. The most common location is around one eye to the side of your head at your hairline before your ear (temple).

Many people report that cluster headaches wake them up an hour or two after going to bed. They’re sometimes called alarm clock headaches for this reason. These nighttime headaches may feel more severe than those during the day.

When symptoms set in, it usually only takes five to 10 minutes for them to reach their worst.

What does a cluster headache feel like?

A cluster headache feels like a:

  • Burning sensation.
  • Sharp pain.
  • Stabbing pain.

Some people who experience cluster headaches report that they feel restless during an attack. This feels like you can’t sit still and need to pace.

Are there warning signs of cluster headaches?

You may experience slight discomfort or a burning feeling on one side of your head just before a cluster headache. But cluster headaches often come on fast, so these signs don’t leave you much time to prepare.

How long do cluster headaches last?

On average, a cluster headache tends to last 30 minutes. You may experience up to eight of these headaches within 24 hours. Many have daily cluster headache attacks that last for three months.

Then, the clusters usually pause, for reasons that aren’t yet understood. The headaches go into remission (go away) for months or years before returning.

Some people never get much of a break, though. They experience chronic (ongoing) cluster headaches. This happens to about 1 in 5 people who get cluster headaches.

Cluster headaches are commonly seasonal. You might notice them in the fall and springtime the most.

What is the main cause of cluster headaches?

Healthcare providers don’t know the exact cause of cluster headaches. Research found that they could relate to your body releasing the following near the trigeminal nerve that sends sensations between your face and brain:

  • A chemical that helps in allergic reaction response (histamine).
  • A chemical that carries messages between nerve cells (serotonin).

In addition, research found that cluster headaches may happen if there’s dysfunction in the area of your brain called the hypothalamus.

Research also found that cluster headaches can be genetic in up to 5% of people. Studies are ongoing to learn more about the causes of cluster headaches.

What triggers cluster headaches?

A trigger is something that causes your symptoms to start. Triggers during a cluster headache cycle vary from person to person but may include:

  • Tobacco, alcohol and other substance use.
  • Bright lights.
  • Hot temperatures.
  • Nitrites in food (preserved meats).
  • Certain medications (like sildenafil).

Triggers can also affect the start of a new cycle of attacks after a period of no symptoms. When headaches start, the shift may appear tied to changes in seasons. (You might think you have allergies or sinusitis). It may happen because of suspected ties between cluster headaches and the hypothalamus. This part of your brain contains your “circadian clock,” a built-in schedule that responds to sunlight. When seasons change, so does the amount of sunlight.

If you don’t know what triggers your symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider and keep a journal to help you identify them. In your journal, you can write down:

  • When and for how long you had a headache.
  • What foods or beverages you consumed the day before.
  • What activities you participated in before the headache.
  • How long and how well you slept the night before.
  • If you took any medications to treat the headache once it started and if it was effective after.

What are the risk factors for cluster headaches?

You may be more at risk of cluster headaches if you:

  • Are between age 20 and 40.
  • Frequently drink alcohol.
  • Take certain medications.
  • Use tobacco products (cigarette smoking).

What are the complications of cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches can be an irritant that interferes with your daily routine, including your ability to complete personal obligations like work or school. You may not feel well enough to do the things you enjoy or even leave your home during an attack.

Having a severe headache every day can make you feel helpless like there’s no hope. While rare, you may develop depression that can lead to suicidal thoughts. Some people call cluster headaches “suicide headaches” for this reason. Luckily, you’re not alone. Healthcare providers can help you with these headaches. If you experience suicidal thoughts, contact (call or text) the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.). Someone is available to help you 24/7.

How are cluster headaches diagnosed?

A healthcare provider (a neurologist) will diagnose a cluster headache after a physical exam. They’ll want to know more about your symptoms and your medical history. A provider may offer an imaging test, like an MRI, to rule out conditions with similar symptoms. If you’re experiencing attacks, it can help your provider learn more about your symptoms as they happen. Your provider might request an exam during the time when your headaches happen each day to observe how the headaches affect you.

What are cluster headache treatments?

Cluster headache treatment options may include:

  • Medications to prevent headaches.
  • Medications to manage pain during an attack.

If medications don’t help, your healthcare provider might suggest surgery. A surgeon may implant a neurostimulator device to send electrical signals to certain nerves in your head to manage your symptoms. Your provider will let you know if surgery is a good option.

Cluster headache medications

There are two types of medications that your provider might recommend for different reasons including:

  • Prevention medications: Certain medications can shorten a headache cycle. They can also make the headaches less severe. Common medications may include those that treat allergies, depression, blood pressure and seizures. Also, galcanezumab is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved preventive therapy that targets calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies.
  • Pain management medications: When a headache occurs, certain medications may help with your symptoms, like triptan medicines (sumatriptan), anti-inflammatory medicines (steroids like prednisone) or dihydroergotamine injections (can’t be taken with sumatriptan). Breathing in 100% oxygen may help relieve symptoms during an attack.

Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs like ibuprofen) aren’t effective medications to treat cluster headaches.

Alternative therapies for cluster headaches

Some alternative therapies may provide relief from cluster headaches, including:

  • Acupuncture: Acupuncture uses small needles. A healthcare provider inserts needles into your skin at various points to relieve pain.
  • Physiotherapy: Treatment focuses on stretching, moving joints and massaging techniques.
  • Spinal manipulation: This chiropractic adjustment realigns your spine.
  • gammaCore: An external vagus nerve stimulator (a portable, noninvasive neurostimulator).

Your healthcare provider may make alternative recommendations based on your situation. If you have questions or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to ask.

Can cluster headaches be prevented?

You can’t prevent cluster headaches entirely. You can identify and avoid triggers that cause symptoms, like smoking or drinking alcohol, which reduces your risk of an attack. Triggers vary from person to person, so what you need to avoid may be different for someone else.

If you have sleep apnea that’s related to your headaches, talk to a healthcare provider about managing that condition or any other underlying health conditions.

What’s the outlook for cluster headaches?

Cluster headaches don’t affect your life expectancy and they’re not life-threatening, but they can significantly impact how you feel each day. While cluster headaches are a chronic (long-term) condition, many studies found that these headaches become less frequent as you age.

How do I get rid of cluster headaches?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cluster headaches. But you do have treatment options that can make them a little less painful or less frequent.

Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for the most effective relief.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

If you suspect you have cluster headaches, reach out to a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis. You don’t have to be in the midst of a cluster to see a specialist or get a diagnosis.

Contact a healthcare provider if you have headaches that:

  • Change in severity.
  • Are frequent or change in frequency.
  • Don’t resolve with medication.
  • Occur with a stiff neck or fever.
  • Occur with speech, vision or movement problems.

Let your healthcare provider know if you become pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant and you’re taking medications for headaches.

If you have cluster headaches and take medications for them and you notice side effects or don’t feel like it’s effective anymore, let your provider know.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

  • What triggers my symptoms?
  • Do I need to keep a journal to identify triggers?
  • What type of treatment do you recommend?
  • Are there side effects of treatment?
  • Can you recommend any alternative therapies?
  • When and how often should I take medication to treat an attack?
  • Are there any herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications I can take to help alleviate my symptoms?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Everyone gets headaches from time to time for various reasons. But cluster headaches are no ordinary headaches. If you experience severe headaches in a pattern, talk to your healthcare provider. Treatment is available to reduce the severity and how often these headaches occur. If you notice worsening changes to how you feel while you’re taking medications, especially if you notice side effects, contact your provider.