Headaches are something almost everyone deals with at some point. They can pop up for all sorts of reasons, like:
- Emotional factors – stress, anxiety, or depression
- Medical conditions – migraines or high blood pressure
- Physical causes – an injury
- Environmental triggers – changes in weather
If headaches happen often or are really intense, they can mess with your day-to-day life. Figuring out what kind of headache you have—and what’s causing it—helps you handle it the right way.
Types of Headaches
Tension-Type Headache (TTH)
This is the most common type, affecting about 75% of people. It used to be called a “muscle contraction headache” because it’s linked to tightness in the neck, face, or jaw muscles.
A 2020 study found that stress plays a big role in TTH. People with this type often feel:
- Like a tight band is squeezing their head
- A steady, dull ache on both sides
- Pain that spreads to or from the neck
Tension headaches can be episodic (lasting a few hours to days) or chronic (happening 15+ days a month for at least 3 months).
Migraine
Migraines are the third most common illness worldwide and the seventh most disabling. About 16% of Americans get them.
A migraine usually brings throbbing pain, often on one side (though it can switch). Other symptoms include:
- Lightheadedness
- Vision changes (like an “aura”)
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea, sometimes with vomiting
A migraine attack can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours if untreated, and some people get them a few times a month.
Medication Overuse Headache (MOH)
Also called “rebound headaches,” these happen when pain meds are used too often—especially opioids like codeine or morphine. Instead of helping, the meds make headaches worse and more frequent.
Other symptoms can include:
- Neck pain
- Restlessness
- Stuffy nose
- Poor sleep
The pain can range from dull (like a tension headache) to severe (like a migraine).
Cluster Headache
These are short but extremely painful, lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours and happening multiple times a day. They come in “clusters” (weeks or months of frequent attacks) followed by long breaks.
Pain is usually around one eye and may come with:
- Red or watery eyes
- Swollen or drooping eyelids
- Runny nose
- Smaller pupil on one side
- Forehead sweating
Thunderclap Headache
This is a sudden, severe headache that peaks within a minute. It’s often called the “worst headache ever” and can signal a life-threatening issue like:
- Aneurysm
- Meningitis
- Brain bleeding or clots
If you get one, seek emergency care immediately.
Causes
Headaches can stem from different issues, classified as primary (not caused by another condition) or secondary (linked to an underlying problem).
Primary Headaches
These happen due to overactive pain-sensitive structures in the head, like nerves, blood vessels, or brain chemicals. Common types include migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches.
Secondary Headaches
These are symptoms of another condition, such as:
- Pregnancy-related issues
- Infections
- Strokes or brain tumors
- Hypothyroidism
Red flags (seek medical help if you have these):
- Neurological symptoms (seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness)
- Fever
- Thunderclap headache
- Headache worsened by coughing/sneezing
- History of cancer
- Age over 50
Treatment
Options include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (like NSAIDs)
- Prescription meds
- Preventive treatments (for chronic migraines)
For medication overuse headaches, slowly reducing the meds (under a doctor’s care) is key.
Alternative & Home Remedies
Some people find relief with:
- Acupuncture (studies show it helps chronic tension headaches)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (can reduce migraine frequency)
- Magnesium or vitamin D (may help if deficient)
- Heat/ice packs (avoid extreme temps)
- Stress management, regular sleep, hydration, and exercise
Diagnosis
Doctors usually diagnose headaches based on:
- Symptoms
- Pain type/location
- Frequency/duration
Sometimes, tests (like MRIs or blood work) rule out serious causes.
Bottom Line
Most headaches aren’t dangerous, but if they’re severe, frequent, or come with other symptoms, see a doctor. Knowing the type and cause helps you manage—or even prevent—them.