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Friday, 22 August, 2025
A sudden throbbing pain behind your eyes. A tight band is squeezing your forehead. A sharp, stabbing pain near your temple. Headaches come in many forms, and while most are harmless, others could be warning signs you shouldn't ignore.
If you're someone who often wonders why you're getting these headaches, you're not alone. According to global estimates, nearly 1 in 2 adults suffer from headaches at least once a year. For some, it's a rare inconvenience. For others, it’s a constant companion.
This blog breaks down headaches, explains their types, causes, symptoms, treatments, and more. We'll also help you figure out when it's time to stop reaching for that painkiller and see a doctor instead.
What is a Headache?
A headache is not a condition in itself; it’s a symptom of something going on in your body or brain. It refers to pain anywhere in the head or upper neck and may range from dull and throbbing to sharp and stabbing.
While many people casually say “I have a headache,” the reality is that there are more than 150 different types of headaches, each with its own trigger, symptom pattern, and treatment approach.
Some headaches are a direct result of an underlying health issue, while others appear without any obvious medical cause.
So if you’ve ever Googled "What are headaches?", this is your starting point.
Primary vs. Secondary Headaches
All headaches can be categorised into two broad groups: primary and secondary.
- Primary headaches are stand-alone conditions. That means the headache is the condition and isn’t caused by another disease or disorder. These include tension-type headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.
- Secondary headaches occur due to another underlying medical issue, such as an infection, injury, tumour, stroke, sinus problem, or high blood pressure.
Understanding primary vs secondary headaches is critical. Why? While primary headaches may be painful, secondary ones could signal something more serious, like a brain tumor, infection, or internal bleeding.
Common Headache Types & Symptoms
Let’s explore the most common headache types and how they feel.
Tension-type
This is the most common form. Often described as a constant, dull ache or a feeling of tightness around the forehead or back of the head. Stress, anxiety, and poor posture are major Tension headaches.
Symptoms:
- Mild to moderate pain
- Feels like a tight band around your head
- Tenderness in the scalp or neck muscles
Migraine
Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, or visual disturbances. Migraine causes include hormonal shifts, certain foods, sleep disturbances, and weather changes.
Symptoms:
- Moderate to severe pulsating pain
- Often one-sided
- Sensitivity to light/sound
- Nausea or vomiting
- Aura (sensory disturbances before pain begins)
Visual “aura” is also common in some people before a migraine attack—this may look like flashing lights, zigzag patterns, or blurred vision. These neurological signs often warn you before the actual pain sets in.
Want to know how to tell the difference? Read our breakdown of Migraine vs headache to identify yours accurately.
Cluster headache
Less common but extremely painful, cluster headaches occur in cyclical patterns. Men are more commonly affected than women.
Cluster headache causes are not fully understood, but hypothalamus involvement and triggers like alcohol or strong smells may play a role.
Symptoms:
- Suddenly, excruciating pain around one eye
- Redness, tearing, or nasal congestion on the affected side
- Occurs at the same time daily during a cluster period
- Confined to one side of the head
Sinus headache
These headaches occur when sinuses become inflamed, usually due to allergies or infections.
Sinus headache causes include sinusitis, colds, and seasonal allergies.
Symptoms:
- Pressure around the forehead, cheeks, or eyes
- Facial swelling
- Pain that worsens when you bend forward
Medication-overuse
Ironically, taking too many painkillers can cause more headaches.
This condition typically arises from regular use of OTC painkillers for more than 10–15 days a month.
Symptoms:
- Daily or near-daily headache
- Worsens in the morning
- Often dull but persistent
New daily persistent
These come on suddenly and don’t go away. People often remember the exact day the headache started.
Symptoms:
- Constant daily pain for over 3 months
- Can mimic either tension-type or migraine
Common Headache Causes & Risk Factors
Understanding what causes headaches helps you take better control of them.
Lifestyle
Many headaches causes stem from modern lifestyle choices. These include:
- Poor posture
- Irregular sleep
- Skipping meals
- Caffeine overuse/smoking
- Eye strain
- Dehydration
- Stress tension headache
Track Your Patterns:
If you face frequent headaches, try maintaining a headache diary. Record when the pain starts, what you ate, stress levels, sleep duration, menstrual cycle (for women), and medications used. This can help your doctor pinpoint subtle triggers and patterns for better treatment planning.
Environmental/Sensory
Bright lights, strong smells, loud noises, weather changes, and air pollution can trigger episodes. Especially common in migraines and cluster headaches.
Genetics & Hormones
If headaches run in your family, you're more likely to get them. Hormonal changes (especially in women) are also known to be a cause of migraines.
Medical issues
Conditions like high blood pressure, infections, or neurological disorders can trigger secondary headaches. Causes of tension-type headache can also include TMJ dysfunction or cervical spine problems.
Curious about more reasons for headaches? Some are as subtle as poor screen ergonomics or sudden caffeine withdrawal.
Headache Treatment Explained
Let’s break down headache treatment into general and specific types.
General Treatment Tips
- Stay hydrated
- Maintain regular sleep patterns.
- Limit screen time
- Avoid skipping meals
- Try cold or warm compresses.
- Reduce stress through yoga or meditation.
- Maintain a headache diary or use a mobile app to log pain episodes; this helps in personalised care and tracking potential triggers.
These help all headache types to some degree and can even serve as part of a headache cure when combined with medication or therapy.
Tension Headaches
OTC pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Relaxation techniques
- Posture correction
- Treating Tension headaches cause (like eye strain or stress)
Migraine
Migraine treatments often involve:
- Triptans or ergotamines
- Anti-nausea drugs
- Preventive meds like beta-blockers, antidepressants
- Identifying and avoiding triggers
Cluster Headaches
- Oxygen therapy
- Fast-acting triptans
- Preventive meds like verapamil
- Addressing cluster headache causes
Medication Overuse Headache
- Tapering off overused medication
- Preventive therapy under medical supervision
- Behavioural therapy (to avoid dependency)
When to See a Doctor?
While many headaches are self-manageable, there are times when you shouldn’t wait. Watch for these dangerous headache signs or red flags of headaches:
- Sudden, severe headache (worst you've ever had) – may indicate an aneurysm
- Visual disturbances, confusion, or slurred speech can signal a stroke or a neurological emergency.
- Headache with high fever and stiff neck – could point to meningitis.
- Headache after trauma or fall – risk of internal bleeding
- Worsening daily headache may signal a tumour or increased intracranial pressure.
If any of these symptoms occur, seek help immediately. You can also consult general medicine doctors in Bangalore who specialise in chronic headache diagnosis and treatment.
And if you’re looking for a reliable General Medicine Hospital in Bangalore, ensure they offer neurology support or see any headache clinics for faster recovery and accurate diagnosis.
Conclusion
Understanding your headache is the first step in managing it. Whether it’s a nagging tension-type pain from poor posture or a life-altering migraine, knowing the type and headaches symptoms makes a huge difference.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is hope. Track your triggers, take preventive measures, and don’t hesitate to consult a professional. The right diagnosis and treatment can help you reclaim your life from the grip of recurring headaches.
1. Are certain foods linked to headaches?
Yes. Some foods, like aged cheese, red wine, chocolate, processed meats, and foods with MSG or artificial sweeteners, are known to trigger headaches in sensitive individuals.
2. Are there non-medication treatments for headaches?
Absolutely. Relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acupuncture, cold compresses, hydration, and even regular sleep schedules can help manage and prevent headaches without medication.
3. How can I reduce the frequency of my headaches?
Track your triggers (food, sleep, stress), maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay hydrated, limit screen time, and practice stress-reduction techniques. If needed, consult a specialist for preventive therapy.
4. How many headaches per month are considered normal?
Occasional headaches (up to 1–2 per month) are common. But if you’re experiencing more than 4–5 headaches monthly, especially if they interfere with your daily life, consult a doctor for evaluation.
