Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes and CausesSerious SymptomsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Headache GuideWhat Is a Headache?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types and Causes
Serious Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Headache Guide
Mostheadachesare not a cause for alarm or unnecessary worry. That said, a severe headache, or a headache associated with specific symptoms like a high fever or a new neurologic deficit (alteration of brain, nerve, or muscle function), may be a sign of a potentially life-threatening condition like a brain infection or stroke.
Other scenarios like a newheadache in pregnancyor a headache changing in pattern also warrant further investigation.
This article explains some of the key headache symptoms that should alert you to seek medical attention. It also provides an overview ofheadache typesand basic treatment and preventive strategies.
The most common types of primary headaches are:
It’s likely that most primary headaches arise from a complex interplay of factors (e.g., genetics, structural brain changes, and/or sensitization of pain pathways). Environmental factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, weather changes, alcohol intake, and menstruation, also appear to contribute to headache development.
Unlike primary headaches,secondary headachesarise from an underlying condition or situation (e.g., illness, pregnancy, or medication). Most secondary headaches are not serious or dangerous, except in rare instances.
Examples of less serious (typically) secondary headaches include:
Why Am I Getting Headaches Every Day All of a Sudden?
Serious Headaches and Symptoms
While not a complete list, here are examples of possible serious causes and symptoms of a secondary headache. These are conditions for which you should seek out a medical opinion urgently or get emergency medical help.
Stroke
Astrokedevelops when blood flow to the brain is cut off. There are two types of strokes—ischemicandhemorrhagic—and both may cause a headache:
A headache from an ischemic stroke is more common in younger patients, those with migraine, and those who have had a larger stroke. The headache classically resembles a tension headache and develops around the same time as the neurological deficit (e.g., weakness or numbness on one side of the body or slurred speech).
A common example of a hemorrhagic stroke is asubarachnoid hemorrhage. This type of brain bleed classically causes athunderclap headache—an explosive headache that comes on suddenly and becomesseverely painfulwithin seconds or less than one minute.
Besides a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a thunderclap headache may also occur with other serious health conditions, including:
Brain Infection
The combination of a headache and fever may indicate a type ofbrain infectionsuch as:
Besides a fever and headache, other potential symptoms of a brain infection include:
Brain Tumor
Abrain tumoris a collection of abnormal cells that grows in the brain. While headache is a common (and may be the only or worst) symptom of a brain tumor, keep in mind that brain tumors are overall rare occurrences.
The headache from a brain tumor may feel like a migraine or tension-type headache and tends to worsen with coughing orbending over.
Brain Injury
When to Seek Medical Attention
Below are worrisome signs that your headache may be stemming from a serious underlying condition.
Seek medical attention right away if:
The treatment of headaches depend on the type and severity.
Primary Headaches
Most primary headaches can be treated with a combination of medication and home remedies.
For example, tension-type headaches can often be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or thenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)Advil (ibuprofen). Soaking in a warm bath or drinking a caffeinated beverage may also be helpful.
Likewise, mild to moderate migraines are often treated with NSAIDs. A class of oral drugs known astriptans—for example, Imitrex (sumatriptan)—is used to treat moderate to severe migraines. For those who cannot tolerate triptans, Reyvow (lasmiditan) may be tried.
Napping in a quiet, dark room and applying a cold compress to the forehead can also be effective in helping to soothe a migraine.
For cluster headaches,oxygen therapy(inhaling high flow oxygen), Imitrex (sumatriptan) injection, and Zomig (zolmitriptan) nasal spray may be used as an acute treatment.
Talk With Your DoctorBefore taking any medication for your headache, talk with your healthcare professional. If you are on a blood thinner or have kidney, liver, or ulcer disease, your doctor will want you to avoid certain OTC drugs or take a lower dose.
Talk With Your Doctor
Before taking any medication for your headache, talk with your healthcare professional. If you are on a blood thinner or have kidney, liver, or ulcer disease, your doctor will want you to avoid certain OTC drugs or take a lower dose.
21 Ways to Relieve a Headache Without Medication
Secondary Headaches
The treatment of secondary headaches requires addressing the underlying condition.
For example, a sinus headache may be treated with OTC pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen. Your doctor may also recommendsaline nasal spraysand/or acorticosteroid nasal sprayto reduce sinus inflammation. In rare cases of bacterial sinusitis, an antibiotic may be prescribed.
Dangerous secondary headaches like stroke or a brain infection require more intensive care, such as close hospital monitoring, intravenous (IV) medications, and/or surgery.
As with treatment, prevention depends on the type and severity of the headache.
Lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies can help prevent primary headaches.
For patients with cluster headaches, a preventive medication, likeverapamil, may be advised. Adopting certain lifestyle behaviors like smoking cessation is also usually recommended.
Depending on the underlying cause, certain types of secondary headaches may be prevented.
Summary
Most headaches are not anything to worry about and go away with medication, self-care strategies, and/or addressing the underlying cause. That said, headaches associated with certain symptoms or features like fever, neurologic deficit, pregnancy, older age, or a weakened immune system require prompt medical attention.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHeadaches in the morning have multiple possible causes. They may be a primary headache like a migraine or tension-type headache. They may also arise from a hangover, caffeine withdrawal, or an underlying health problem like sleep apnea.A tension headache (also called a tension-type headache) is the most common form of headache. It causes pressure or a tightening sensation around the head or neck and can last from 30 minutes to seven days.There are different descriptions of headaches reported in patients with COVID-19. A typical one is a moderate-severe headachelocated on both sidesof the head, forehead, or around the eyes, that is throbbing or pressing in nature.
Headaches in the morning have multiple possible causes. They may be a primary headache like a migraine or tension-type headache. They may also arise from a hangover, caffeine withdrawal, or an underlying health problem like sleep apnea.
A tension headache (also called a tension-type headache) is the most common form of headache. It causes pressure or a tightening sensation around the head or neck and can last from 30 minutes to seven days.
There are different descriptions of headaches reported in patients with COVID-19. A typical one is a moderate-severe headachelocated on both sidesof the head, forehead, or around the eyes, that is throbbing or pressing in nature.
Symptoms and Treatment of a Nummular Headache
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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.
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