One of the most common types of pain that virtually everyone experiences at one point or another is a headache. Headaches usually are not serious, but they may occur frequently—and are sometimes an indicator of a more dangerous injury or health condition.

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, often caused by stress or emotional strain. They may last for a few minutes to a few days and are usually characterized by pain or pressure on both sides of the head. Doctors believe that a change in brain chemicals can trigger tension headaches and that spasms in the muscles of the neck, jaw, face, head, and scalp may also play a role.

Cluster headaches occur in groups or cycles, often several times a day for months, and then disappear for just as long. Their cause is unknown. Severe and debilitating, cluster headaches are usually felt more on one side of the head than the other, and they are more common in men than in women.

About 11 percent of the population experiences migraines, a painful, sometimes disabling type of headache that’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, and smells. These throbbing headaches involve changes in chemicals and blood vessels in the brain and tend to last 6 to 48 hours. Some people have migraines several times a month, while others get them once a year or less. Some migraine sufferers can learn to identify and avoid triggers, such as certain foods or smells. They are more common in women than in men.

Headaches can also be caused by sinus infections; eyestrain; a blow to the head; dehydration; fever or cold; or withdrawal from caffeine, alcohol, or pain-relieving drugs. Severe or unrelenting headaches may signal a more serious problem, such as a brain tumor; an injury; or inflammation, stroke, or internal bleeding in the skull cavity. Treatment for most types of headaches includes over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Resting in a cool, dark room or applying a warm or cool compress to the head may also relieve pain.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. About 15 to 20 percent of migraine sufferers experience a visual signal—such as lights or wavy lines— called an aura. Scientists aren’t sure why, but those who experience an aura are at higher risk for heart disease and stroke.
  2. Anyone under the age of 20 should not take aspirin, because it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious disorder that affects only children.
  3. A technique called biofeedback, in which a person uses signals from monitoring equipment to learn how to mentally control blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, and other autonomic functions, has been shown to decrease headache and migraine pain.