Causes of pain in the head, commonly known as headaches, are broadly classified into two categories: **primary** (where the headache itself is the condition) and **secondary** (where the headache is a symptom of another underlying issue).
### 1. Primary Headaches
These are caused by overactivity or problems with pain-sensitive structures in your head (nerves, blood vessels, muscles). They are not symptoms of an underlying disease.
1. Tension Headaches:** The most common type. They often feel like a tight band around the head.
Triggers:* Stress, anxiety, poor posture, eye strain, fatigue, lack of sleep, hunger or dehydration[1][4]
* **Migraines:** Severe, throbbing pain usually on one side of the head. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
* *Triggers:* Hormonal changes, certain foods (like aged cheese or processed meats), alcohol, weather changes, and sleep disruptions.
* **Cluster Headaches:** Intense, burning, or piercing pain usually located behind or around one eye. They occur in cyclical patterns or "clusters."
* **Exertional Headaches:** Triggered by intense physical activity like running, weightlifting, or sexual activity.
### 2. Secondary Headaches
These are symptoms caused by an underlying medical condition that activates the pain-sensitive nerves in the head.
* **Dehydration:** One of the most common causes of a dull, pounding headache.
* **Sinus Infections (Sinusitis):** Inflammation in the sinus cavities can cause pressure and pain in the forehead, cheeks, and behind the eyes.
* **Medication Overuse (Rebound Headaches):** Caused by taking pain relief medication (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) too frequently.
* **Infections:** Illnesses such as the flu, ear infections, or more serious conditions like meningitis.
* **Head Injury:** Concussions or trauma can cause immediate or delayed headaches (post-traumatic headache).
* **Dental Issues:** Grinding teeth (bruxism) or jaw problems (TMJ disorders) can radiate pain to the head.
* **High Blood Pressure:** Extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) can cause head pain.
* **Hangovers:** Caused by alcohol consumption and subsequent dehydration/chemical imbalances.
### 3. Neuralgia (Nerve Pain)
Specific nerves in the head can become irritated or damaged, leading to sharp, electric shock-like pain.
* **Trigeminal Neuralgia:** Affects the face.
* **Occipital Neuralgia:** Affects the base of the skull and radiates upward.
### 4. Serious Causes (Rare)
While most headaches are benign, severe or sudden head pain can indicate dangerous conditions:
* **Stroke:** Disruption of blood flow to the brain.
* **Brain Aneurysm:** A bulging weak spot in an artery.
* **Tumors:** Increased pressure within the skull.
* **Temporal Arteritis:** Inflammation of the arteries in the head and neck.
### When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
You should see a doctor immediately if you experience:
* A sudden, severe headache that feels like a "thunderclap" (the worst headache of your life).
* Headache with a stiff neck, fever, confusion, fainting, or seizure.
* Headache following a head injury.
* Weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.
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## Primary Headaches
Primary headaches occur independently and are not caused by another medical condition. The most common types include:
**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/