## Primary Headaches
Primary headaches occur independently and are not caused by another medical condition. The most common types include:
**Tension Headaches**
These are often triggered by:
- Stress and anxiety
- Poor posture
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Hunger or dehydration[1][4]
**Migraines**
Migraine triggers can include:
- Hormonal changes
- Certain foods and drinks (e.g., alcohol, caffeine, chocolate)
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Stress
- Strong odors or bright lights
- Weather changes[1][2]
**Cluster Headaches**
These can be triggered by:
- Alcohol consumption
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Certain medications[1]
## Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches are symptoms of an underlying medical condition. Causes may include:
**Medical Conditions**
- Sinus infections
- Concussion or head injury
- High blood pressure
- Brain tumors (rarely)
- Meningitis[1][6]
**Environmental Factors**
- Exposure to certain odors or chemicals
- Changes in barometric pressure
- Altitude changes[3]
**Lifestyle Factors**
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Alcohol consumption (especially red wine)
- Skipping meals
- Dehydration
- Eye strain from prolonged screen time[3][4]
**Medications**
- Overuse of pain relievers (rebound headaches)
- Side effects of certain medications[5]
## Genetic Factors
Headaches, especially migraines, tend to run in families. If both parents have a history of migraines, there's a 70% chance their child will also experience them[1].
## Hormonal Changes
Women may experience headaches due to fluctuations in estrogen levels, particularly around menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause[3].
Understanding these various etiologies can help in identifying triggers and developing appropriate treatment strategies for headaches. If headaches are severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and management.
Citations:
[1] https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-basics
[2] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/headache
[3] https://www.mountsinai.org/care/neurology/services/headache/triggers
[4] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/causes-of-headaches
[5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9639-headaches
[6] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache
[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/headache/basics/causes/sym-20050800
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554510/