Why does headaches happen

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Sign Me Up. Print This Page Click to Print. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Episodic headaches occur occasionally. Chronic headaches are more consistent. They can strike for 15 days or more in a month. Headaches are divided into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are those not caused by another medical condition.

Migraine and tension headaches are the most common. Secondary headaches are symptoms of another health problem, such as a fever, infection, stress or a head injury. Tension headaches, which are the most common type of headache, cause mild to moderate pain. They often present as a dull, constant pain felt on both sides of the head, and have no other symptoms. These type of headaches are caused by tightening or tension in the muscles in the head, neck and scalp.

They can be brought on by stress, noise, fumes and even long periods of watching TV or computer screens. Chronic tension headaches are much less common. Migraine is the most disruptive type of primary headache. It is often marked by a throbbing pain that is moderate to severe.

It can last four to 72 hours and happen one to four times a month. Migraines often include other symptoms. Someone with a migraine may be sensitive to light and sound. They may prefer to be in a dark, quiet space. They may also experience nausea and vomiting and visual disturbances aura. Women are more likely than men to get migraines. Accessed March 3, NINDS stroke information page. Cutrer FM. Primary cough headache. Garza I, et al. Overview of chronic daily headache. Friedman BW, et al.

Headache emergencies: Diagnosis and management. Neurological Clinics. Headache hygiene tips. Accessed March 8, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cutrer FM, et al. Cough, exercise, and sex headaches. Neurologic Clinics. Bajwa ZH, et al. Evaluation of headache in adults. Evans RW, et al. Postconcussion syndrome. Green MW. Secondary headaches. In: Continuum Lifelong Learning Neurology. Simon RA. Allergic and asthmatic reactions to food additives. External compression headache.

International Headache Society. Seifert T. Headache in sports. Current Pain and Headache Reports. The elusive hangover cure.

Headache: Hope through research. When to see a physician for your headache. National Headache Foundation. Mayo Clinic; Mao L, et al. Neurologic manifestations of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease in Wuhan, China. JAMA Neurology. See also 6 surprising signs you may have obstructive sleep apnea Acromegaly Act FAST if you suspect stroke Acute sinusitis Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help? Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern? Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?

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