Headache

Headache symptoms can vary widely depending on the type and the individual, with pain ranging from mild to severe.

Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. They typically involve mild to moderate levels of pain, usually felt on both sides of the head (rather than being localized in one place). Tension headache symptoms often worsen during activities like walking, exercising, bending over, or climbing stairs. They are typically caused and accompanied by muscle tightness in the shoulders, neck, back, and jaw.

Cluster headaches are another type of primary headache, though symptoms are typically more severe than with tension headaches. The term “cluster” refers to the frequency of occurrence, with headaches tending to occur multiple times per day within a given period. Cluster headaches typically last anywhere from a few weeks to three months. They often involve intense, throbbing pain around and behind the eyes and can be accompanied by a stabbing or burning sensation. Cluster headaches are common during spring and fall.

Migraine is a brain disease that causes people to have persistent headaches often accompanied by heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. Migraine attacks typically involve moderate to severe pain and tend to last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. People who suffer from migraine often report experiencing a throbbing, pounding sensation. Unlike tension or cluster headaches, migraine headaches can also cause nausea, abdominal pain, and even vomiting.

Sinus headaches often involve pain in the cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose. This common type of secondary headache results from sinus inflammation or infection. Pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, including facial swelling, stuffy nose, fever, or a feeling of fullness in the ears.

The majority of headaches are not caused by serious underlying issues. A typical headache evaluation with your primary care physician will include a physical examination, review of your medical history, review of your symptoms and the frequency and severity of any persistent headaches.

To aid in this process, it’s helpful to arrive prepared to answer questions and provide detailed information related to:

• Your headaches’ typical onset and severity
• How long do your headaches tend to last
• The level of pain associated with your headaches
• How often do your headaches occur
• What do your headaches feel like and where the pain is located

In addition to this information, your doctor may also ask about factors known to impact headaches, including:

• Any foods, drinks, or events you feel may trigger your headaches
• Your stress level
• Your sleep habits
• Your daily intake of caffeine

In some cases, more in-depth assessments are warranted to determine the cause of headaches. Your physician may wish to perform or order neurologic tests, including brain imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI. If necessary, your primary care physician may refer you to specialists if further assessment is warranted.

There are a range of treatment options available to help manage headache pain. Your specific treatment plan will depend on what type of headaches you experience, what causes them, and how frequently you experience symptoms. Your doctor may recommend preventative treatments if your headaches occur three or more times per month. Preventative treatments aim to address and reduce the underlying causes and triggers of headache attacks to reduce both their frequency and severity.

In some cases, relaxation and stress management techniques or counseling services may help assist you in recognizing and managing headache triggers. If your doctor suspects that certain foods or beverages may be causing your headache attacks, they may ask you to eliminate these foods from your diet. There are a number of medications that provide headache relief, ranging from over-the-counter to prescription options.

The goal of headache trials and research is to find and test new treatments for headaches of all kinds. There are numerous clinical trials currently planned or underway to assess therapies for tension headaches, cluster headaches, and non-specified headaches. Discoveries that lead to new insights or better treatments for one type of headache will help us better understand and treat other related conditions.

The American Brain Foundation is proud to support current headache research efforts through the Goadsby Headache Research Fund. Established in honor of our 2021 Scientific Breakthrough Award recipient Peter Goadsby, MD, PhD, this fund supports innovative research projects that further our understanding of migraine and chronic headache conditions, as well as research addressing health disparities in migraine and headache care.

You can be part of this mission by donating to the fund and supporting its research efforts.