The location of your headache can help find the meaning behind the head pain and help determine the possible treatment. Here are some common types of headaches.
Headache affecting your whole head
This is a common indication of tension headache. You may feel tightness around your head, and the pain can travel down to your neck, causing pain and soreness near the forehead.
Contractions in the head and neck usually trigger tension headaches. The pain in the head lasts for a few hours but sometimes persists for days.
The following can also trigger a whole-head headache:
- caffeine withdrawal
- hunger
- weakness
- cold or flu
- head injury
- eye strain
One side of your head
Migraine
If you’re experiencing pain on one side of your head, whether left or right – it’s a migraine.
It is a primary headache disorder and causes periodic attacks. Here are some symptoms to look out for:
- throbbing pain
- nausea
- noise and other sensitivities
- difficulty focusing
Cluster headache
Cluster headache is another type of head pain that hurts one side of the head.
The pain is usually felt behind the left or right eye. Sometimes the pain can linger to the forehead, neck, nose, side of the head, or same-sided shoulder.
The pain starts immediately and worsens within 10 minutes.
Some common cluster headache symptoms:
- teary eye
- swelling around one or both eyes
- runny or stuffy nose
- restlessness
- burning pain behind or around one eye
Front of your head and face
Pain in the head behind your eyes and nasal passages can occur due to hay fever or allergies. The symptoms that appear are the same as what a common cold brings.
The truth is sinus headaches are very rare. These headaches are usually migraines causing pain over the sinuses.
If you suspect a sinus headache, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your physician can help find out if the headache has occurred due to allergies or it’s a migraine.
Back of your head
A headache at the back of the head can occur because of neck arthritis. Usually, the pain worsens when a person moves. Neck issues such as herniated disc or poor posture can also trigger such pain.
Pain in the back of your head, along with neck pain, can indicate a low-pressure headache. The cause is low spinal fluid pressure in the brain.
Lubar puncture or “spinal tap” can also cause this form of pain. If you’ve undergone this procedure and now experiencing a headache, visit your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
The location of your head pain can explain the meaning of your headache. The related symptoms and severity of headaches can further elaborate on the type of headache you’re having.
For minor headaches, home treatments and over-the-counter pain relievers can help.
But if the head pain comes too frequently or disturbs your daily life, schedule an appointment with your doctor for proper treatment. Call EPIC Heart & Vascular Center at (832) 432-1951. We would be more than happy to help you.