Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Headache GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Headaches
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Headache Guide
The most prominent symptom ofheadachesis head pain, which can range from mild to severe. But headache symptoms can go beyond head pain. For some people, other symptoms—like nausea, vision changes, or sensitivity to light—add to the discomfort and distress of a headache.
Primary headachesoccur on their own, without an underlying cause. Headaches that result from an underlying medical condition are called secondary headaches.This article describes the common symptoms of primary and secondary headaches.
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Primary headaches are more common than secondary headaches, and they tend to recur. The most commontypesof primary headaches are tension headaches, sinus headaches, and migraines. Secondary headaches, which are less common, can be indicators of an underlying condition, such as abrain tumorormeningitis(infection around the brain).
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are common. They often occur due to factors such as lack of sleep, stress, muscle tension, looking at screens for too long, They can also occur without a specific cause. Some people have frequent muscle tension headaches, but many people only experience them once in a while.
Common symptoms of tension headaches:
Tension Headaches: Triggers and Treatment
Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches are fairly common. They can occur when you have a cold, allergies, or any other reason that causes congestion. They tend to be mild to moderate in severity, and they can begin suddenly and resolve as soon as the sinus congestion is relieved.
Common symptoms of sinus headaches:
What Are Sinus Headaches?
Migraine
Common symptoms of migraines:
Aurasymptoms can include vision loss, seeing various shapes or bright spots or flashes of light, experiencing pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg, weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body, and difficulty speaking.
Symptoms of a Migraine
Cluster Headache
Acluster headacheis a rare type of headache. It is more common among adults males, and it can occur in clusters—for days or weeks on end, without symptoms in between the clusters.
Common symptoms of cluster headaches:
Cluster headache is often considered a type of migraine. Most people who have cluster headaches do not also experience other types of migraines.
Relieving Hormonal Headaches: What Helps?
Secondary headaches are less common than primary headaches. They can occur as a result of meningitis, brain tumor,concussion, bleeding in the brain, low cerebrospinal fluid pressure, stroke,vascular malformation in the brain, or as a medication side effect.
Symptoms of secondary headaches can include:
You should get medical attention if you experience any symptoms consistent with a secondary headache–the underlying causes can be dangerous to your health and will usually improve with treatment.
Headache Behind Eyes
The most common complications of primary headaches are not due to the headaches themselves but rather to their treatment. For example, excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can cause stomach pain and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Rare complications of headaches include:
You should make an appointment to see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing new headaches or worsening headaches or if your headache medicine is no longer effective.
You should get urgent medical attention if you have signs of a secondary headache.
Emergency AttentionYou should get emergency medical attention if:You have had a head injuryThe headache comes on after vigorous physical activityYou are experiencing your first severe headacheYou are having the worse headache of your lifeYou have slurred speech, vision changes, problems moving your limbs, confusion, memory loss, or a seizureYou have a fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting
Emergency Attention
You should get emergency medical attention if:You have had a head injuryThe headache comes on after vigorous physical activityYou are experiencing your first severe headacheYou are having the worse headache of your lifeYou have slurred speech, vision changes, problems moving your limbs, confusion, memory loss, or a seizureYou have a fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting
You should get emergency medical attention if:
When Should You Worry About a Headache?
A Word From Verywell
If you have headaches, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. You may be able toget reliefand learn how to prevent a recurrence and complications.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCommon types of headaches are tension headaches, sinus headaches, migraines, andsecondary headaches.Migraine pain is usually pulsing or throbbing and focused on one side of the head. A migraine can also cause nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and an increased sense of smell. Vision changes can also occur with a migraine.Migraine headaches go through four phases:Prodromecan last three hours to several days. During this phase, you may experience problems concentrating, irritability, nausea, appetite changes, and muscle stiffness.Auracan last five minutes to an hour. You may see flashing dots or lights, numbness or tingling skin, tinnitus, tiredness, and a tender scalp. Most people who have migraines do not experience aura.Headachefrom migraine can last four to 72 hours with classic migraine symptoms.Postdromeis also described as a migraine hangover. Difficulty concentrating, depression, fatigue, and confusion are common symptoms. Some people may experience euphoria during this phase.Cluster headache pain has been described as intense burning, piercing, or stabbing pain centered behind one eye and radiating to the forehead, temple, nose, and gums. Cluster headaches usually last 30 to 45 minutes and can recur up to eight times a day for weeks or months.
Common types of headaches are tension headaches, sinus headaches, migraines, andsecondary headaches.
Migraine pain is usually pulsing or throbbing and focused on one side of the head. A migraine can also cause nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and an increased sense of smell. Vision changes can also occur with a migraine.
Migraine headaches go through four phases:Prodromecan last three hours to several days. During this phase, you may experience problems concentrating, irritability, nausea, appetite changes, and muscle stiffness.Auracan last five minutes to an hour. You may see flashing dots or lights, numbness or tingling skin, tinnitus, tiredness, and a tender scalp. Most people who have migraines do not experience aura.Headachefrom migraine can last four to 72 hours with classic migraine symptoms.Postdromeis also described as a migraine hangover. Difficulty concentrating, depression, fatigue, and confusion are common symptoms. Some people may experience euphoria during this phase.
Migraine headaches go through four phases:
Cluster headache pain has been described as intense burning, piercing, or stabbing pain centered behind one eye and radiating to the forehead, temple, nose, and gums. Cluster headaches usually last 30 to 45 minutes and can recur up to eight times a day for weeks or months.
Causes and Risk Factors of Headaches
3 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.Carbaat PAT.Headache: classification and diagnosis.NTvT. 2016;123(11):539-544. doi. 10.5177/ntvt.2016.11.16122. Published November, 2016.Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.Cleveland Clinic.Cluster headaches.Additional ReadingCluster Headache. American Migraine Foundation.Tension-type Headache. American Migraine Foundation.
3 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.Carbaat PAT.Headache: classification and diagnosis.NTvT. 2016;123(11):539-544. doi. 10.5177/ntvt.2016.11.16122. Published November, 2016.Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.Cleveland Clinic.Cluster headaches.Additional ReadingCluster Headache. American Migraine Foundation.Tension-type Headache. American Migraine Foundation.
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.
Carbaat PAT.Headache: classification and diagnosis.NTvT. 2016;123(11):539-544. doi. 10.5177/ntvt.2016.11.16122. Published November, 2016.Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.Cleveland Clinic.Cluster headaches.
Carbaat PAT.Headache: classification and diagnosis.NTvT. 2016;123(11):539-544. doi. 10.5177/ntvt.2016.11.16122. Published November, 2016.
Cleveland Clinic.Migraine headaches.
Cleveland Clinic.Cluster headaches.
Cluster Headache. American Migraine Foundation.Tension-type Headache. American Migraine Foundation.
Cluster Headache. American Migraine Foundation.
Tension-type Headache. American Migraine Foundation.
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