Headaches

A headache is a kind of pain in the head, scalp or neck. Causes of common headaches may be:

• Stress
• Tight muscles in shoulders, neck, scalp or jaw
• Too little sleep
• Poor posture
• Skipped meals
• Alcohol or drug use
• Illness or injury

There are four types of primary headaches:

• Tension Headaches are the most common type. They are typically caused by tight muscles in the scalp, jaw, neck and shoulders. They usually happen gradually. They can be triggered by stress, anxiety, depression, poor posture or jaw clenching. Symptoms can include:
  • Dull, aching pain
  • Tightness or pressure across the forehead, sides and back of head
  • Soreness of the scalp, neck and shoulder muscles

• Vascular Headaches are caused by inflamed blood vessels inside the head. The most well-known types are migraines and cluster headaches. These headaches often cause pain for hours or days. They may go away and come back again over and over. Symptoms can include:
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain in bright light or with loud sounds

• Inflammatory Headaches are caused by problems in the sinuses, spine, neck, ears or teeth. These problems result in swelling in the head. Sinus headaches are pretty common. They happen when sinuses are swollen, inflamed and/or infected. Other inflammatory headaches can result from diseases or infections, like meningitis or other sickness. Symptoms can include:
  • Pain near the eyes, cheeks and forehead
  • Fever, sore throat and stuffy nose. 

• Traction headaches are not common. They can because when nerves are pulled or stretched. An example of this is strained eye muscles. They can also result from a serious medical condition. Some of these conditions may be a brain tumor, stroke or head trauma (bleeding inside the head).

Secondary headaches are caused by medical conditions. These conditions may be a disease, injury, or a brain tumor.

Not all headaches need medical treatment. But, you should talk with your doctor if you have migraines often (three or more per month), or pain that will not go away. You doctor may suggest:

• Exercising regularly
• Getting enough rest
• Eating regular, healthy meals and drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding foods that may set off headaches
• Taking medications
• Counseling
• Lowering your stress
• Meeting with a doctor who specializes in headache care