Headaches and specifically migraines cost employers tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars a year with employees missing more than 4 days of work a year and another 11 days with reduced productivity.
There are many types of headaches including tension, migraines, and cluster headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache with approximately 40% of the population suffering from them. They are caused by muscle tension around the head and neck often due to stress, anxiety, or depression. These headaches can be treated by over-the-counter medications and are typically easy to manage by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. The headache can vary in intensity and is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. “The combination of prioritizing quality sleep, limiting caffeine intake, engaging in regular exercise, and maintaining a well-balanced diet is key to effective migraine management,” states Dr. Rajan Chopra, Neurologist at St. Bernardine Medical Center. About 12% of the population in the US will have a migraine at some point in their life. Migraines may be triggered by caffeine, medications, hormonal changes, dehydration, changes in weather, and even certain foods.
Cluster headaches occur in patterns or clusters and may last weeks to months. “Cluster headaches cause severe pain that tends to recur in the same way and same location each time”, says Dr. Chopra. Triggers include smoking, alcohol use, and change in altitude foods with nitrates and bright light.
It is important to monitor headaches and seek medical attention if they occur more often than usual and keep you from working, sleeping, or participating in normal activities.