Types of Headache
Topic OverviewIt can be hard for your doctor to tell
whether you have migraine headaches, tension headaches,
sinus headaches, cluster headaches, or a combination of these types. The symptoms of these headaches are
often the same, and no test can diagnose headaches. Listing a few key features of your headaches may
help your doctor find out what type of headache you have. This can help your
doctor treat your headaches. For example, you
may think that your headaches are sinus headaches. But if they happen often and
interfere with your daily life, they probably are migraines. A true sinus
headache is caused by a sinus infection. Common types of headacheType | Where the pain
is | How bad
the pain is | Things
that make it worse | Symptoms |
---|
Migraine | Usually on one side of your head with pressure
behind one eye | Throbbing, pulsating headache that is moderate
to severe | Pain gets worse with normal physical
activity. | - Nausea or
vomiting
- Feeling worse around light and
noise
- Runny or stuffy nose can occur along with other symptoms,
such as diarrhea and fatigue.
- May begin at night and wake
you from sleep
| Sinus | Around your eyes, cheekbones, forehead, and
bridge of the nose | Deep and constant headache pain | Leaning over, sudden movement, or exercising may
make the headache worse. | - A fever
- Green or
gray discharge from your nose that lasts more than 7 to 10
days
- A runny or stuffy
nose
- A feeling of fullness in the ears, or
plugged ears
- Swelling or puffiness in the
face
| Tension | On both sides or all over your
head | Deep, pressing, tightening headache that does
not throb or pulse and is mild to moderate | Physical activity does not make headache
worse. | - No nausea or vomiting
- May be
worse around light or noise (but not
both)
- May last for minutes to several days
| Cluster | On one side of the face, head, or
neck; does not switch
sides | Piercing pain that gets very bad very fast, usually
within 5 to 10 minutes | Lying down makes it worse. | - Watery eyes and small (constricted)
pupils
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Droopy or swollen
eyelids
- Sweating on the forehead or
face
- May wake you at night.
| CreditsByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Current as ofOctober 14, 2016 Current as of:
October 14, 2016 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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