Headache - What is it?This fact sheet is intended as a general introduction to the most common types of headaches experienced by adults.What is headache?Headache is an almost universal experience; most of us have some kind of headache at some time in our lives. The classification system of headaches used by the medical profession is one of the longest in medicine, ith many typesand causes.Types of headacheThe !nternational Headache "ociety has to broad categories for headache disorders# The first is based on symptoms $called primary headache disorders% and includes migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headaches. The second is based on their causes $called secondary headache disorders%. This ould include headaches associated ith a head in&ury, stroke, substance misuse and'or their ithdraal $including alcohol%, infection, disorders of the neck, eyes, nose, sinuses or teeth.!f you experience recurring $regular% headaches it is helpful to understand the type of headache hich you have in order to manage your condition effectively.Ho is a headache different from a migraine?There is a difference beteen a headache and a migraine headache. Headaches are not usually accompanied by other symptoms associated ith migraine. Hoever, it is (uite likely that if you have migraine you ill also experienceother headaches. HeadacheHeadaches can vary greatly in their duration, cause and severity. ) hangover headache, for example goes ithin a fe hours and headaches associated ith an infectious illness improve hen the illness is over.!t is really important to identify the type of headache you have so you can get the right sort of treatment and advice. ) headache can be the result of a hole variety of factors such as head in&uries, infections and other medical conditions. *igraine!n general terms, migraines are experienced as a headache of at least moderate severity usually on one side of the head and occurring ith other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise $though some peopleexperience migraine ithout headache%. The headache is usually made orse by physical activity. *igraines usually last from + to ,- hours and in most cases there is complete freedom from symptoms beteen attacks. .ertain factorsare involved in triggering an attack in those predisposed to migraine. These are usually called /trigger factors0 and can include lifestyle, and hormonal changes.The importance of a diagnosis!f you get regular headaches, it is important to see your 12 and get a proper diagnosis. 3iagnosis ill depend upon your doctor taking a medical history, possibly referring you for tests and narroing don the range of possible causesfor your headaches. The correct diagnosis of a headache can help you to manage your headaches and if necessary embark on a suitable form of treatment.Headache diary4eeping a record can be very helpful in assisting your doctor to have a clear picture of your headaches. This may include information on# hen the head pains started ho often they happen if there are other symptoms, such as being sick or vision problems ho long the attacks last hether the pain is the pain is throbbing or piercing here the pain is treatment you are using for the attacks the result of the treatment.5ou could record if the headaches seem to be associated ith particular events, medication, times of the day.) headache diary can be especially important if you experience medication overuse or rebound headaches $see chartbelo%. 6y being able to distinguish beteen the types of headaches the right treatment can be selected."tart recording your headaches no ith an online migraine diary or read our Migraine Diaries fact sheet..ommon headachesThe most common types of recurring headache as classified by the !nternational Headache "ociety are# Tension-Type Headache $for more information see Tension-Type Headache fact sheet% .hronic 3aily Headache$for more information see Chronic Daily Headache research article% *edication 7veruse'8ebound Headache$for further information see Medication Overuse Headache - please note this information is ritten for health professionals% "inus Headache Headache due to 9ye "train)nother ell knon recurring headache hich is less common is# .luster Headache $for more information see Cluster Headache fact sheet%The chart belo summarises the symptoms of these recurring headaches. This information is intended as a guide only.The *ost .ommon Types of 8ecurring Headache# Type Causes/Comments Common SymptomsTension-Type HeadacheThe most common type of headache usually caused by stress, orry, depression, lack of sleep, tiredness.Thesecan occur rarely $hich is knon as episodic tension-type headache% or fre(uently, even daily $knon as chronic tension-type headache%.) feeling of tightness and pressure around the head ith pain occurring on both sides of the head $bilateral location%.Chronic Daily HeadacheThis term is given to .hronic daily headache includes# chronic tension-type headache medication overuse ' rebound headacheThe type of headache pain can vary and can change depending on the individual:s situation. !t can therefore consist of a number of different types of headaches that occur ;< or more days a month. chronic migraine. head pain such as tension-type headache and medication overuse ' rebound headache.Medication Overuse / Rebound Headache.aused by the overuse of =over the counter= medication or prescribed headache medication such as the triptans used for migraine. )s the medication earsoff the ithdraal from the medication triggers the next headache, hich in turn leads to increased drug consumption.This type of headache pain often occursas the medication ears off. !t often occurs in the morning after no tablets have been taken overnight. !t may evenaaken you from your sleep.The head pain is of mild or moderate intensity hich tends to orsen during drug overuse.Sinus Headache"inusitus tends to be over diagnosed as a cause of headache in adults based on the belief that pain over the sinuses must be related to the sinus itself. !n fact, pain over the sinus area is often caused by migraine and tension-type headache."ome people describe their headaches as sinus headaches because the pain islocated over their sinuses in their forehead. The pain is usually restricted to the infected sinus and is made orseby sudden movements or bending over."inusitis can be treated by antibiotics and decongestant.ye Strain Headaches can be caused by eak eye muscles. This type of headache gets orsehen the individual reads, uses a computerscreen or any activity hich re(uires their eyes to ork in a focused intense ay.These headaches generally start around the eyes and then spread to the forehead and temple. 5ou may experience blurred vision. Having an eye test and earing glasses may help this condition. 8arer but ell knon type of 8ecurring Headache# Type Causes/Comments Common SymptomsCluster HeadacheThese have been called =suicide= headachesbecause of their extreme pain.This is a relatively rare condition, often misdiagnosed as migraine or sinus headache and so can be mistreated. The cause of cluster headache is not yet fully understood by the medical profession. The pattern of pain and the pattern of the episodes suggests there could be a disorderin the central nervous system. >urther medical investigation and tests ill be necessary to confirm a diagnosis of cluster headache. *edication is available hich can be preventive or be used to remove the 9xtreme head pain hich lasts from ;< to ;?@ minutes if untreated. The headache is associated ith one or more symptoms including# atering eyes, nasal congestion, facial seating and drooping eyelids. !t is more common in men than omen and usually starts in a personAs B@As.3uring a cluster headache the individual cannot remain still and often paces up andpain once it starts. don. They often start in the early hours of the morning and can evenoccur up to ? times per day. The pain is described as burning or piercing.