Headaches & Other Head Pain

What is a headache?

A headache is pain or discomfort anywhere in the head, scalp, face or neck. Headaches are one of the most common health complaints.

A headache may feel like throbbing, pressure or sharp or dull pain. It could be on one side or both sides of your head. Headaches happen when pain-sensitive structures like blood vessels, nerves and muscles get activated and send signals to the brain.

Whether the pain comes on suddenly or gets worse over time, it can make it hard for you to work, sleep or enjoy everyday life. 

Most headaches are not dangerous, but some can be a sign of a more serious condition. Knowing the type of headache you have and what triggers it can help you get the right treatment.

At Banner Brain & Spine, we’re here to help you understand the different types of headaches and know when you should get medical care. 

What are the different types of headaches?

There are more than 300 different kinds of headaches. They all fall into two main types of headaches: primary and secondary.

Primary headaches

These headaches are not caused by another medical condition. Common primary headaches include:

• Tension-type headaches: These are the most common type of headache. Tension headaches are usually a constant, non-throbbing pain on both sides of the head. They are often linked to muscle tightness, posture and stress, and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole week.
• Migraine headaches: Migraines often start with fatigue or mood changes and sometimes start with an aura. As they progress, you may notice intense, pulsating pain, sensitivity to light and sound and nausea. You are more likely to get migraine headaches if a family member gets them.
• Cluster headaches: These headaches cause severe, stabbing pain around one eye in repeat patterns, usually one to eight times per day. They can also cause eye symptoms like redness, tearing or a drooping eyelid and they usually last 30 to 60 minutes. Cluster headaches are more common in men and people with a history of smoking but can occur in anyone. 
• Chronic daily headaches: These headaches happen 15 days or more a month for at least three months. They often need preventive treatment.

Secondary headaches

These headaches are symptoms of another health issue, like:

• Infection
• Brain tumor
• Head or neck injury
• Blood vessel problems
• Medication overuse
• Sleep apnea

Secondary headaches often come with other warning signs. They may need immediate medical attention.

What headache symptoms should you watch for?

Headache symptoms can be different depending on the type of headache. Some common signs include:

• Pain on one or both sides of the head
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Nausea, vomiting or aura (seeing lights, colors or flashes)
• Tight neck or stiff jaw 
• Pain that comes on suddenly and intensely, like a thunderclap
• Changes in vision, speech, balance or alertness

Tracking your headache’s location can give you clues. If you have a new or severe headache or a headache that’s getting worse quickly, get medical care right away.

What causes headaches?

Headaches can have many causes. Some triggers can make primary headaches more likely, such as:

• Hormone fluctuations
• Dehydration
• Bright lights, loud noise or strong smells
• Weather changes
• Stress
• Poor posture
• Lack of sleep 
• Skipping meals
• Caffeine
• Alcohol, aged cheeses or MSG
• Certain health conditions 

Keeping a headache diary can help you identify triggers and track patterns so you can take steps to reduce how often you have headaches.

When should you get medical care?

Most of the time, headaches are not serious but sometimes they need care right away. 

Seek care immediately at the emergency room if you have a sudden, severe headache, especially if:

• It is the worst headache of your life
• It is accompanied by vision changes, weakness or numbness in a specific body part or half your body, or confusion
• It is accompanied by a fever, stiff neck, shortness of breath or a rash

New headache symptoms that could prompt an immediate call to your doctor or neurologist include:

• Trouble with speech, confusion, vision changes, numbness, weakness, personality changes or seizures
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, sudden loss of balance, weakness or numbness, tingling or not being able to move your body
• Headaches that are triggered by bending, coughing, sexual activity or other intense physical activity
• Headache pain that wakes you up at night
• Headaches after a head injury or accident
• A new type of headache that starts after age 50
• A recent headache symptom that is different to your usual pattern of attacks

The following headache symptoms may not warrant urgent care, but you should let your doctor know if you:

• Have headaches that won’t go away and keep getting worse
• Have three or more headaches per week
• Need more than two or three doses of over-the-counter (OTC) medications per week to alleviate symptoms
• Need to take pain reliever every day or almost every day for headache relieve
• Have headaches that interfere with your daily life

Getting care early can help rule out serious problems and help get rid of your pain.

How are headaches diagnosed?

To figure out the cause of your headaches, your health care provider may:

• Ask about your symptoms, history and possible triggers
• Perform a physical and neurological exam
• In some cases, order imaging tests like a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, CT scan, sinus x-ray or blood tests to check for other conditions
• Refer you to a neurologist or headache specialist if you need more advanced care

How are headaches treated?

Treatment depends on the type of headache, how often it happens and how it affects your life. Your care team will also consider your age, overall health and preferences.

Options may include:

• Heat or cold therapies like ice packs, heating pads or taking a warm shower
• Resting in a quiet, dark space
• Lifestyle changes and alternative treatments like stress management, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, yoga and acupuncture
• OTC and prescription pain relievers, including triptans for migraines 
• Avoiding triggers like dehydration, poor sleep and skipping meals
• Preventive therapies such as anti-CGRP medications, beta blockers, antidepressants or antiseizure drugs if you have headaches often

Why choose Banner Brain & Spine for headache care?

At Banner Brain & Spine, our neurology experts can help you find answers and feel better. We offer:

• Specialists who can diagnose and treat all types of headaches
• Multidisciplinary care to address underlying causes of headaches including physical therapy, sleep medicine, behavioral health and many other specialties 
• Advanced imaging like MRI and CT to help rule out serious causes
• Personalized care plans that are based on your needs and lifestyle
• Support for long-term relief, including managing primary headaches and health conditions that could be causing secondary headaches

We’re committed to helping you take control of your health and get back to what matters most. Schedule an appointment with a Banner neurologist today and start your path to relief.