Four common types of headaches:

Tension headache

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, with as many as 8 out of 10 people having experienced them at least once.

What does it feel like?

Tension headache is usually described as a tight band or ‘pulling’ feeling around your head. The pain generally does not throb.

What causes them?

It might surprise you to learn that the source of pain in tension headache may be the tender muscles in the head and neck. When the muscles in your neck become tense, the pain travels up to your head and you feel it as a headache.

Migraine headaches

What does it feel like?

Migraine pain feels like a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of your head. You may also experience nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, and even get visual problems such as flashing lights or temporary blind spots.

What causes them?

It’s not fully understood what causes a migraine, but it’s known that migraines are a condition involving the brain and nerves, where the brain does not process sensory data, such as lights, sound or touch, properly.

What triggers them?

Migraines are commonly brought on by triggers including stress, missed meals, lack of sleep, weather changes, bright lights, certain foods and hormone changes.

Cluster headaches

What does it feel like?

Cluster headaches get their name because the attacks come in groups and often with little warning. You might experience sudden or severe pain behind your eye and sometimes on one side of your head. Cluster headaches are rare compared with tension headaches and migraine.

What causes them?

It’s not known what causes cluster headaches, but it’s thought to involve the hypothalamus, the brain’s ‘biological clock’.

What triggers them?

There is some thought that suggests alcohol may trigger cluster headaches in some people.

Sinus headache

What does it feel like?

Sinus headaches can feel like a dull, pulsating pain in the front of your head and face and are usually accompanied by nasal symptoms. You may feel pressure or fullness around your eyes, cheeks and forehead.

What causes them?

Sinus headaches are caused by congestion and inflammation in your sinuses, the air-filled cavities around your nose, eyes, and cheeks.

What triggers them?

Allergies, hay fever or a cold can bring on a sinus headache.

When should I be concerned about my headache?

Most headaches are not a sign of a serious illness. However, you should see your doctor if your headache doesn’t go away even after you’ve tried strategies to relieve it at home, or if it gets worse, or if you are concerned for any reason.

If you have a headache along with any of the following symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention:

  • Drowsiness, confusion or weakness in your arms or legs
  • Difficulty waking up, or bright lights hurt your eyes
  • Seizure
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of vision or other trouble seeing
  • Neck pain or stiffness

If you are in doubt about your symptoms or concerned for any reason, seek medical advice.

Relief of headache pain

There are many ways to relieve tension headache and migraine pain. Reducing and avoiding common headache triggers may help. You can also try an over-the-counter pain reliever.