Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsPossible CausesTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Possible Causes
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve all experienced headaches. The dull aching pain can make it difficult to get anything done. But what’s a headache and what can cause it?
A headache is a pain or discomfort in any region of your head. Headaches can occur on one or both sides of your head or be isolated to a specific spot. Headaches can present themselves as sharp pain, a throbbing sensation, or a dull aching feeling among other qualities.
There are two types of headaches: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are ones where the headache is the disease itself and is not a symptom of another condition. These includecluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches.
Secondary headaches are related to a medical condition such as head injury,high blood pressure,infection,trauma, and tumor.Side effects of medication or substance withdrawal can also trigger headaches.
An afternoon headache could be a primary or secondary headache.
Typical headache symptoms may include:
Why Am I Getting Headaches Every Day All of a Sudden?
You may experience a headache in the afternoon due to things like muscle tension, dehydration,stress, hunger, among other things. The following are potentialcausesof an afternoon headache.
What Is Causing My Headache?
Dehydration
Many people can get a headache in the afternoon due to dehydration. We’re so busy working during the day and it’s understandable to overlook hydration.
When a person experiences dehydration, they can also display symptoms such as:
Chronic Dehydration: How to Rehydrate With Ongoing Symptoms
Muscle Tension
Tension headaches can occur when muscles in yourneck,jaw, orshouldersare tense. This causes pain which then radiates to the head. Tension headaches can begin slowly and progress through the day and become worse.
You may notice this type of headache after being in an uncomfortable position, such as sitting at your desk too long. The muscles in your neck or shoulders might feel tight and tense.
Tips for Coping With Headaches
Migraine
A migraine is a type of neurological headache, though it can also include genetic factors. Changes in nerve pathways, neurotransmitters, and other brain chemicals can trigger a migraine.
In some cases, you can experiencevisual disturbances,sensitivity to light, and unusual sensations in your body when having a migraine. You might also experience nausea andvomiting.
Stress, and certain smells, sights, sounds, or foods can trigger amigraine. Specific triggers can include:
Caffeine
Caffeine can be one of the reasons you’re experiencing a headache in the afternoon, especially if you typically have multiple cups of coffee. Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to cognitive symptoms, depression, fatigue,insomnia, cardiovascular changes, and headaches.
It’s wise to watch your caffeine intake. If you’re someone that drinks a lot of coffee, you may experience awithdrawalheadache when you miss your usual cup. Withdrawal headaches that you feel in the afternoon can be a direct result of your body noticing it hasn’t received its usual dose of caffeine.
Alcohol
While a glass of wine might seem like a good idea to help you relax, alcohol is a common headache trigger, especially when ingested in large quantities. The principal substances of certain alcoholic drinks can provoke a headache. These substances include:
Headaches and WomenIn the United States, Headaches cause 112 million sick days each year. While one-third of the population experiences headaches, women have more than men. Differences in hormones could be among the reasons women have more headaches than men do.Hormone-related headache triggers include:MenstruationTakingoral contraceptivesPregnancyLactationMenopause
Headaches and Women
In the United States, Headaches cause 112 million sick days each year. While one-third of the population experiences headaches, women have more than men. Differences in hormones could be among the reasons women have more headaches than men do.Hormone-related headache triggers include:MenstruationTakingoral contraceptivesPregnancyLactationMenopause
In the United States, Headaches cause 112 million sick days each year. While one-third of the population experiences headaches, women have more than men. Differences in hormones could be among the reasons women have more headaches than men do.
Hormone-related headache triggers include:
Certain lifestyle changes may reduce your likelihood of experiencing a headache in the afternoon. For example:
You should also avoid certain headache triggers such asalcoholandcaffeine.
Other treatments for afternoon headaches include over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Finding Relief From Headaches
While headaches in the afternoon (or any time of day) typically aren’t a cause of concern, they can sometimes be a sign of a more serious issue such as a brain tumor, astroke,meningitis, orencephalitis.
If your headache symptoms continue to increase in pain or discomfort and have lasted over 72 hours, seek medical attention.
Emergency SituationsYou should call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if your headache pain causes vision impairment or if you have uncontrollable vomiting.
Emergency Situations
You should call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if your headache pain causes vision impairment or if you have uncontrollable vomiting.
How Your Healthcare Provider Will Diagnose Your Headache
Summary
When experiencing a headache in the afternoon, it’s important to be aware of your symptoms so you can recognize what kind of headache you’re dealing with, such as a primary or secondary headache.
If you have a primary headache, understanding your symptoms can help you identify the possible causes, such as dehydration, alcohol, caffeine, or muscle tension, and you’ll be able to better identify what can be done to alleviate the pain.
Once you know how to identify the type of headache you’re experiencing and what’s causing it, you can eliminate triggers and find the proper treatment, such as taking more frequent breaks from sitting in the same position, drinking plenty of water, or stretching.
A Word From Verywell
Experiencing a chronic headache in the afternoon can be challenging and disrupting. Remember that you can take steps to avoid your triggers and keep symptoms at bay. You don’t have to live with constant discomfort or pain.
Know your limits and begin to recognize your triggers. Consider starting a symptom journal to keep track of when you experience pain and what might be causing it. Being aware of what’s causing your headaches can be the first step to getting them under control.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is a wide range of headaches that fall into two main categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are headaches that aren’t due to a medical condition. These include cluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches. Secondary headaches are related to a medical condition such as head injury, high blood pressure, infection, trauma, and tumor.Learn MoreTypes of HeadachesIf you’re pregnant and experiencing headaches, it’s first recommended to call your healthcare provider. They will advise you as to what is considered a safe pain medication while pregnant. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is considered safe while pregnant, but should only be taken in low doses when needed.Learn MorePregnancy and HeadachesIf you’re experiencing headaches, a good alternative treatment can be an essential oil:Lavender oil can help with a migrainepeppermint oil can help with a tension headacheLearn MoreEssential Oils for Headaches
There is a wide range of headaches that fall into two main categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are headaches that aren’t due to a medical condition. These include cluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches. Secondary headaches are related to a medical condition such as head injury, high blood pressure, infection, trauma, and tumor.Learn MoreTypes of Headaches
There is a wide range of headaches that fall into two main categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are headaches that aren’t due to a medical condition. These include cluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches. Secondary headaches are related to a medical condition such as head injury, high blood pressure, infection, trauma, and tumor.
Learn MoreTypes of Headaches
If you’re pregnant and experiencing headaches, it’s first recommended to call your healthcare provider. They will advise you as to what is considered a safe pain medication while pregnant. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is considered safe while pregnant, but should only be taken in low doses when needed.Learn MorePregnancy and Headaches
If you’re pregnant and experiencing headaches, it’s first recommended to call your healthcare provider. They will advise you as to what is considered a safe pain medication while pregnant. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is considered safe while pregnant, but should only be taken in low doses when needed.
Learn MorePregnancy and Headaches
If you’re experiencing headaches, a good alternative treatment can be an essential oil:Lavender oil can help with a migrainepeppermint oil can help with a tension headacheLearn MoreEssential Oils for Headaches
If you’re experiencing headaches, a good alternative treatment can be an essential oil:Lavender oil can help with a migrainepeppermint oil can help with a tension headache
If you’re experiencing headaches, a good alternative treatment can be an essential oil:
Learn MoreEssential Oils for Headaches
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mier RW, Dhadwal S.Primary headaches.Dent Clin North Am. 2018;62(4):611-628.Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology. 2019;92(3):134-144.John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches.John Hopkins Medicine.Dehydration and heat stroke.Burch R.Migraine and tension-type headache: diagnosis and treatment.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(2):215-233.World Health Organization.Headache disorders: how common are headaches?Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School.Headache: when to worry, what to do.John Hopkins Medicine.Migraine headaches.Marmura MJ.Triggers, protectors, and predictors in episodic migraine.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018;22(12):81.Espinosa Jovel CA, Sobrino Mejía FE.Caffeine and headache: specific remarks.Neurologia. 2017;32(6):394-398.Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The ambiguous role of caffeine in migraine headache: from trigger to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):E2259.John Hopkins Medicine.Hangover headache.John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches and women: what do hormones have to do with it?.Hadidchi S, Surento W, Lerner A, et al.Headache and brain tumor.Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2019;29(2):291-300.Toda K.Is acetaminophen safe in pregnancy?Scand J Pain. 2017;17:445-446.Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M.Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial.Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-291.Göbel H, Heinze A, Heinze-Kuhn K, Göbel A, Göbel C.[Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of tension-type headache].Schmerz. 2016;30(3):295-310.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mier RW, Dhadwal S.Primary headaches.Dent Clin North Am. 2018;62(4):611-628.Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology. 2019;92(3):134-144.John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches.John Hopkins Medicine.Dehydration and heat stroke.Burch R.Migraine and tension-type headache: diagnosis and treatment.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(2):215-233.World Health Organization.Headache disorders: how common are headaches?Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School.Headache: when to worry, what to do.John Hopkins Medicine.Migraine headaches.Marmura MJ.Triggers, protectors, and predictors in episodic migraine.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018;22(12):81.Espinosa Jovel CA, Sobrino Mejía FE.Caffeine and headache: specific remarks.Neurologia. 2017;32(6):394-398.Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The ambiguous role of caffeine in migraine headache: from trigger to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):E2259.John Hopkins Medicine.Hangover headache.John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches and women: what do hormones have to do with it?.Hadidchi S, Surento W, Lerner A, et al.Headache and brain tumor.Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2019;29(2):291-300.Toda K.Is acetaminophen safe in pregnancy?Scand J Pain. 2017;17:445-446.Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M.Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial.Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-291.Göbel H, Heinze A, Heinze-Kuhn K, Göbel A, Göbel C.[Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of tension-type headache].Schmerz. 2016;30(3):295-310.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mier RW, Dhadwal S.Primary headaches.Dent Clin North Am. 2018;62(4):611-628.Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology. 2019;92(3):134-144.John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches.John Hopkins Medicine.Dehydration and heat stroke.Burch R.Migraine and tension-type headache: diagnosis and treatment.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(2):215-233.World Health Organization.Headache disorders: how common are headaches?Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School.Headache: when to worry, what to do.John Hopkins Medicine.Migraine headaches.Marmura MJ.Triggers, protectors, and predictors in episodic migraine.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018;22(12):81.Espinosa Jovel CA, Sobrino Mejía FE.Caffeine and headache: specific remarks.Neurologia. 2017;32(6):394-398.Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The ambiguous role of caffeine in migraine headache: from trigger to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):E2259.John Hopkins Medicine.Hangover headache.John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches and women: what do hormones have to do with it?.Hadidchi S, Surento W, Lerner A, et al.Headache and brain tumor.Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2019;29(2):291-300.Toda K.Is acetaminophen safe in pregnancy?Scand J Pain. 2017;17:445-446.Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M.Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial.Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-291.Göbel H, Heinze A, Heinze-Kuhn K, Göbel A, Göbel C.[Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of tension-type headache].Schmerz. 2016;30(3):295-310.
Mier RW, Dhadwal S.Primary headaches.Dent Clin North Am. 2018;62(4):611-628.
Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al.Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list.Neurology. 2019;92(3):134-144.
John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches.
John Hopkins Medicine.Dehydration and heat stroke.
Burch R.Migraine and tension-type headache: diagnosis and treatment.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(2):215-233.
World Health Organization.Headache disorders: how common are headaches?
Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School.Headache: when to worry, what to do.
John Hopkins Medicine.Migraine headaches.
Marmura MJ.Triggers, protectors, and predictors in episodic migraine.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018;22(12):81.
Espinosa Jovel CA, Sobrino Mejía FE.Caffeine and headache: specific remarks.Neurologia. 2017;32(6):394-398.
Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The ambiguous role of caffeine in migraine headache: from trigger to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):E2259.
John Hopkins Medicine.Hangover headache.
John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches and women: what do hormones have to do with it?.
Hadidchi S, Surento W, Lerner A, et al.Headache and brain tumor.Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2019;29(2):291-300.
Toda K.Is acetaminophen safe in pregnancy?Scand J Pain. 2017;17:445-446.
Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M.Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial.Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-291.
Göbel H, Heinze A, Heinze-Kuhn K, Göbel A, Göbel C.[Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of tension-type headache].Schmerz. 2016;30(3):295-310.
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