Common Headache Types by Location
Pain location | Most common cause |
---|---|
Back of your head or neck | Tension headache Migraine |
Top of your head “Hair band” area | Tension headache |
Forehead Cheeks Behind both eyes | Tension headache Migraine |
Behind one eye | Cluster headache |
Mental or behavioral symptoms include:- Being more emotional than usual.
gently massaging the head and neck muscles to reduce tension. placing a warm or cool pack on the affected area to help relieve pressure and lessen muscle tension. taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. taking triptans, a prescription medication that aims to treat …
Positional headache is a red flag as it is a common symptom of intracranial hypotension. The symptoms of intracranial hypotension can be masked by other headache disorders.
10 most common headache triggers- Food sensitivities. Food and drink release neurotransmitters, which can cause headaches in some people.
Pain from a dehydration headache can occur at the front, back, side, or all over the head. Moving the head may cause more pain. Unlike a sinus headache, a person experiencing a dehydration headache will likely not feel facial pain or pressure.
In women, fluctuating hormone levels are a major contributing factor in chronic headaches and menstrual migraines. Hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, and are also affected by oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies.
Conditions that might cause nonprimary chronic daily headaches include: Inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain, including stroke. Infections, such as meningitis. Intracranial pressure that’s either too high or too low.
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.
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.
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.
Stress can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like:- Anxiety or irritability.
Depression.
Panic attacks.
Sadness.
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.
Symptoms of a tension headache may include: tense muscles around the neck, head, and face. tender neck, shoulders, and scalp. squeezing pain around the head that may feel like a tight band.
Our bodies react to stressful events with a ‘fight or flight’ response. This involves the release of certain chemicals that can cause physical changes – such as in the blood vessels. This, in turn, can bring on tension headaches.
A toxic headache is the least common type of vascular headache that usually comes from a fever from acute illnesses such as measles, mumps, pneumonia and tonsillitis. Common hazards in our environment also cause toxic headaches with exposure.
Today, I’m pleased to announce that we can now consider purple to be the “official” awareness color for Migraine disease, cluster headaches, and all other headache disorders.
What can a hypertension headache feel like? Headaches triggered by high blood pressure typically cause a pulsing sensation that’s felt all over the head rather than on just one side. If your headache is severe, happens suddenly, or is accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, get immediate medical attention.
Chocolate. Caffeinated beverages, including coffee, tea and colas. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. Nitrate/nitrite-containing meats including hot dogs, sausage, bacon, lunchmeats/deli meats, pepperoni, other cured or processed meats.