Headaches are one of the most common pain-related health problems in both children and adults. Most types of headaches usually aren’t dangerous. Some headaches may occur again and again, such as:

Tension headaches. These are the most common type of headache. They are often caused by stress and emotional strain. Most adults have tension headaches from time to time, and everyone may have different areas of pain.

Cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are severe headaches on one side of your head that happen in groups, or “clusters.” They usually occur over weeks or months.

Cluster headaches can be so painful that you are not able to follow your normal routine or do your usual activities. The pain is often called the worst type of headache pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia headaches. Trigeminal neuralgia is a headache condition that causes severe pain in the face. It’s caused by pain in the trigeminal nerve, which carries signals from the face to the brain.

“Dr. Assadi recently saw a middle-aged man complaining of pain occurring in his head for years for six to eight weeks at a time. His eyes watered and he experienced pain on both sides of his head and face. He believed the headaches to be cluster headaches. After evaluation, she diagnosed him with trigeminal neuralgia. There are medication treatment strategies approved by the American Headache Association to help successfully manage this condition and Dr. Assadi developed a plan to get him back to his regular lifestyle.”

Migraine headaches. Migraines are painful, throbbing headaches that last from four to 72 hours. When you have a migraine, it may be so painful that you aren’t able to do your usual activities. But migraines can be treated. And even though they make you feel bad, they don’t cause long-term damage.

Hemicranial headaches. Hemicranial headaches are a type of headache that affects one side of the head.

“A 75-year-old female patient came to see me with what she thought was a migraine that had occurred off and on for the past year and a half on the left side of her head. Migraine medication prescribed by primary care did not help. After considering all her symptoms, I determined this to be a hemicranial headache, the kind that only affects one side of the head. After the patient took the right anti-inflammatory medications, the headache was gone within two months and has never returned.” – Dr. Mitra Assadi-Khansari, MD.

Common causes of headaches

Causes of headaches may include:

  • Stress.
  • Skipping meals or not getting enough to eat.
  • Sleeping too much or not enough.
  • Alcohol use.
  • Sinus problems.
  • Getting too much or too little caffeine.
  • Certain foods or drinks.

In rare cases, a headache may be a symptom of a serious illness or injury.

Common symptoms of headaches

Headaches can cause pain:

  • In your upper back and neck.
  • At the base of your head.
  • Around your ears.
  • In your jaw.
  • Above your eyes.

Symptoms of headaches can include a constant headache, usually with pain or pressure on both sides of your head. You may feel tightness around your forehead that feels like a “vise grip.” You may also have aching pain in your temples or the back of your head and neck. The pain usually isn’t severe.

Treatment for headaches

Most of the time, headaches get better or go away with home treatment and don’t require a visit to a provider. Home treatment for headaches can often help reduce how long you have pain and how severe it is. Start home treatment as soon as you can.

If your provider has prescribed a specific treatment for your headaches, begin treatment as soon as a headache starts. Be sure to follow the provider’s instructions when you take any prescription medicine for your headache.

If you are taking headache medicine more than two days a week, talk with your provider. Taking medicine too often can cause more headaches. Work with your provider to find the best treatment for your headaches.

We are here to help

Our neurology team specializes in the treatment of headaches of all kinds. Contact us today to schedule an appointment by visiting us online or calling 302-623-3017.

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