This can include infections, colds, and fevers. Headaches are also common with conditions like sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), a throat infection, or an ear infection. In some cases, headaches can result from a blow to the head or, rarely, a sign of a more serious medical problem. Stress.
A number of sleep or health disorders, as well as personal habits, can trigger a headache when you wake up. Sleep apnea, migraine, and lack of sleep are common culprits. However, teeth grinding, alcohol use, and certain medications can also cause you to wake up with a headache.
Although headache is almost always a biochemical disorder, psychological factors often play a contributory role in headache onset and/or a reactive role in headache maintenance. There is a high level of comorbidity between headache and psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Common Headache Types by Location
Pain location | Most common cause |
---|---|
Forehead Cheeks Behind both eyes | Tension headache Migraine |
Behind one eye | Cluster headache |
Temples | Tension headache |
Behind the ear | Ear infection (more common in children) |
A frontal lobe headache is when there is mild to severe pain in your forehead or temples. Most frontal lobe headaches result from stress. This type of headache usually occurs from time to time and is called episodic. But sometimes, the headaches can become chronic.
Mental or behavioral symptoms include:- Being more emotional than usual.
Many people associate crying with feeling sad and making them feel worse, but in reality, crying can help improve your mood - emotional tears release stress hormones. Your stress level lowers when you cry, which can help you sleep better and strengthen your immune system.
Emotional stress, like that from blocked emotions, has not only been linked to mental ills, but also to physical problems like heart disease, intestinal problems, headaches, insomnia and autoimmune disorders.
Primary vs.
A red flag that a headache could be indicative of a medical issue is if it is a new or unusual headache — for example, one that causes someone to wake up at night, or one that is associated with changes in position. Another red flag is if the headache is accompanied by other symptoms, such as weight loss.
Hypnic headaches are a rare type of headache that occurs during sleep and wakes the person up, which is why they’ve earned the nickname “alarm-clock headaches2“. The pain can keep people up for at least 15 minutes, if not longer. People who experience hypnic headaches typically have them several times a week.
A headache on the left side may result from migraine, vasculitis, cluster headaches, or other types. Often, a person can treat a headache at home with over-the-counter remedies and rest. However, if headaches are severe, persistent, or otherwise concerning, contact a healthcare professional.
Anxiety headaches, sometimes referred to as tension headaches, may occur in many different places, including: The front, sides, tops, and even back of the head. The back of the neck. The shoulder muscles in between shoulder blades.
Generally, a lack of sleep is known to trigger headaches and migraines in some people. In a large study of migraine sufferers, half said sleep disturbances contributed to their headaches. And those who slept only six hours a night on average had more frequent and more severe headaches than those who slept longer.
What types of headache affect the right side? There are over 300 types of headache, about 90 percent of which have no known cause. However, a migraine or a cluster headache are the most likely causes of a headache on the right side of the head. Tension headaches may also cause pain on one side in some people.
Headaches that occur at the top of the head are typically a result of tension headaches, which are the most common. Associated with a dull pain, tightness or constant pressure around the head, they are triggered by things like a change in diet, poor sleeping habits, activity or stress.
There are several hundred types of headaches, but there are four very common types: sinus, tension, migraine, and cluster.
Sinus headaches
A sinus infection (sinusitis) can cause a headache around your eyes, nose, forehead, cheeks, and upper teeth. This is where your sinuses are. You’ll often also have a fever, congestion, and a thick nasal discharge. The pain usually gets worse throughout the day.
Tension headaches
These are the most common types of headache, and may cause pain behind your eyes, as well as on one or both sides of your head and from your neck down to your shoulders. Triggers include poor posture, lack of sleep, being hungry or dehydrated, or eye strain from staring too long at a computer screen.
Warnings signs of stress in adults may include:- Crying spells or bursts of anger.
Difficulty eating.
Losing interest in daily activities.
Increasing physical distress symptoms such as headaches or stomach pains.
Fatigue.
Feeling guilty, helpless, or hopeless.
Avoiding family and friends.
The five main warning signs of mental illness are as follows:- Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety.
Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
Extreme changes in moods.
Social withdrawal.
Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern.
How does stress affect a woman’s health?- Depression and anxiety. Women have higher rates of these conditions and other psychological disorders including panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder than men.
Heart problems.
Headaches and migraines.
Obesity.
Bowel problems.
Pregnancy issues.
Menstrual problems.
Emotional and spiritual benefits
Releasing sad tears is a natural way for the body, mind, and soul to process periods of loss or transition.
It’s best not to hold in emotions all the time, but sometimes it’s important to hold back tears. If you need to control a cry, try to hold back your tears just until you’re in a better place for them. This way you won’t suppress your emotions altogether.
Researchers have established that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals help ease both physical and emotional pain.