Some of the more common causes of head pain include migraine and tension headaches, Dr. Loder says. These are known as “primary” headaches, meaning they aren’t connected to other health issues. Secondary headaches, on the other hand, stem from other underlying problems, such as sinusitis.
Migraine
Many people have headaches caused by migraine on one side of the head. However, migraine can affect both sides of the head or the top, says Patricia Olson, MD, a neurologist and assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. The cause of migraine is unknown, but it’s thought that people with the condition may have inherited or developed (perhaps due to a head injury) a nervous system that’s easily triggered, Loder explains.
“Some migraine triggers might be stress, caffeine withdrawal, dehydration, hormonal changes, sleep changes, and alcohol. All of those could contribute to a migraine attack,” Dr. Olson says.
Headaches caused by migraine usually cause moderate to severe pain, which may be made worse by physical activity and can last hours or days, Loder says. Other migraine symptoms include sensitivity to light or sound, as well as nausea or vomiting.
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension-type headaches are the most common headache type, says Sweta Sengupta, MD, assistant professor in the department of neurology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
“Tension-type headaches are more mild to moderate in intensity. They’re typically described as ‘band-like’ and ‘tight,’” Dr. Sengupta explains.
Also known as stress headaches, these usually stem from muscle tension, eyestrain, sleep disorders, mood disorders, or neck and jaw problems.
Sinus Pressure
“Sinus pressure can be caused by environmental allergens, viruses, or bacteria that result in fluid in the sinuses that does not drain well,” says Rena Sukhdeo Singh, MD, neurologist and medical director of the Primary Stroke Center at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health in Easton. “The accumulation of the fluid in the sinuses can lead to pressure in the head.”
Other symptoms of sinusitis include pressure-like pain behind the eyes, toothaches, face tenderness, coughing, and nasal stuffiness.
Medication Overuse
“Overuse of over-the-counter medications, like [acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin], can actually lead to rebound headaches or medication overuse headaches,” Dr. Singh says.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this phenomenon only seems to occur in people who use these types of medications to treat headache disorders, such as migraines. People without a history of headaches don’t usually have this problem.
With this category of headaches, of which cluster headaches are the most common type, pain molecules affect the trigeminal nerve system (a group of nerves in the head), says Singh.
The trigeminal nerve system sends signals to the brain from parts of the face — including behind the eyes — and vice versa.
Along with severe pain, cluster headaches can cause eye redness, tearing, and a runny, agitated nose, Singh says.
“Cluster headaches result in multiple headaches throughout the day that last between 15 minutes to three hours,” she adds.
Cervicogenic Headaches
“Cervicogenic headaches usually cause an aching pain or pressure that starts from the back and radiates upward to the crown,” says Minal Patel, DO, a neurologist with Atlantic Medical Group in Rockaway, New Jersey.
These headaches result from issues with the neck, says Chantel Strachan, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and internist at Columbia Primary Care in New York City. People with these headaches often have neck pain and stiffness as well.
“A common cause is cervical arthritis. However, secondary causes like a tumor or infection can play a role, depending on the clinical scenario,” Dr. Strachan explains. “Having neck pain and headache does not automatically mean you have cervicogenic headache.”
