Is It a Headache, a Migraine, or Something Worse?

Headaches are one of the most common conditions of pain or discomfort associated with the head. In this two-part series, we’ll break down the subject in terms of types of headaches and most common causes.

Broadly, there are two classifications for headaches: primary and secondary.¹

• Primary headaches are caused by overactivity of the pain structures in the head. They are not a sign of an underlying disease.
• Secondary headaches are a symptom of an underlying cause or disease that can activate the pain sensitivity nerves of the head.

Common Types of Primary Headaches

There are a handful of headaches that account for 90 percent of all occurrences.

• Tension headache — Noted as the most common type of headache. Patients describe the pain as a tight band around the head. Stress is often the biggest trigger.
• Migraine headache — Second most common type of primary headache. About one-third of those with migraine experience visual disturbances before the headache phase. This is known as a migraine aura.
• Cluster headache — Occurring in a series over a period, symptoms often described as a sharp pain behind one eye and a burning sensation. Headache type is 3 times more common in men.
• Exertion headache — A throbbing pain on both sides of the head experienced quickly after a period of intense physical activity or exertion such as weightlifting or running.
• Hormone headache — Directly linked to cyclical fluctuations in female hormone estrogen levels.
• Hypnic headache — A disorder that is independent of other health conditions. Attacks occur overnight during sleep usually between 2-4a. Level of pain and duration varies from less than an hour to 12 hours.

Tension

Migraine

Cluster

Sinus

Types of Secondary Headaches

Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else happening in the body. Treating the primary cause is typically what brings relief to the headache.

• Post-traumatic headache — Generally, occur within 7 days following a head injury. Pain may be mild or severe. In either case, immediately see a doctor or medical help.
• Medication headache — Continuous daily use and overuse of certain pain relievers can result in chronic headaches.
• Sinus headache — Pain focused in the sinus area and front of the head. Often described as a sensation of pressure, typically as result of congestion in the sinus cavity.
• Allergy headache — Like sinus headaches, allergy headaches occur in the sinus area. They’re triggered by a reaction to something external in the environment.
• Caffeine headache — Caffeine increases blood flow to the brain. That’s what creates the feeling of being more awake from coffee. Too much can cause a headache. The adverse of suddenly stopping all caffeine, can have the same affect.

What Causes Headaches?

Identifying what might be causing your headache is the first step toward better managing it the next time.²

• Stress — Tension absorbed through the neck and shoulder muscles is felt by the brain as pain in the head. Simple breathing and relaxation exercises can help mitigate pain.
• Diet — Certain foods, particularly processed foods high in nitrates or other chemicals can affect individuals.
• Alcohol — Dehydration is one of the largest contributors to headaches. Alcohol is a diuretic. When people drink, they forget to drink water. Our bodies are 75% water.
• Environment — Bright light, loud noises, humidity, or strong smells are often the culprits tied to cluster headaches that seem to come with seasonal changes.
• Lack of sleep — Disruption in the normal balance between sleep and wakefulness can result in a headache. Such as: getting too much/too little sleep, sleep apnea or jet lag.
• Hormonal Fluctuations³ — Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause cause women’s hormone estrogen levels to fluctuate. These changes can trigger headaches and migraines. Estrogen controls chemicals in the brain that affect the sensation of pain.

If your headaches are severe or increasingly frequent, don’t wait to get help.

Schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our specialists at the Cooper & Inspira Neuroscience Headache Program.

This is part one of a two-part series. Read part two: Is a Migraine a Sign of Something Worse?

References

1. MedicineNet.com. What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Headaches?[↩]
2. Harvard Health. Top 7 Reasons you have a headache, Heidi Godman. Aug 4, 2023[↩]
3. Healthline.com. Hormonal Headaches — Causes, Treatment, Prevention and More[↩]