Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: Headaches in Children: How to Make the Pain Go Away With Ethan Benore, PhDAmerican Migraine Foundation: Migraine and MenopauseNational Headache Foundation: The Complete Headache ChartNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: HeadacheHarvard Health Publishing: Headache: When to Worry, What to Do
Duration How Long Do Headaches Last? How long a headache lasts depends on the type. A primary headache can last from 30 minutes to several days, sometimes with symptom-free periods that may last for months. If it is chronic, headaches may last for weeks or never stop.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762981a56b77-adb6-4249-a497-ccd60c608118 There is no cure for primary headaches, but medications and therapies can help manage pain and reduce headache frequency. Because secondary headaches are caused by an underlying condition, headache symptoms may resolve once the condition is treated.
Treatment Treatment and Medication Options for Headaches Headache treatment involves medications to prevent and manage symptoms, treating any underlying conditions causing headaches, and therapies to manage stress and other symptoms. Medication Options Several types of medication can help treat and prevent headaches . They are available as oral pills or tablets, nasal sprays, and injections. Triptans Triptans work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. They are a first-line treatment for migraine attacks and can also treat cluster headaches. Triptans are available as oral pills, nasal spray, and injections under the skin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d22df903-f22f-4f5a-890c-22895a9e48fa sumatriptan (Imitrex, Onzetra, Tosymra) naratriptan (Amerge) zolmitriptan (Zomig) rizatriptan (Maxalt) almotriptan frovatriptan (Frova) eletriptan (Relpax) Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers Over-the-counter pain medications, such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), aspirin, and acetaminophen, are effective short-term treatments for primary headache pain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a27e14df-1213-4e53-808d-241faf520fc4 Ergots Ergots bind to serotonin receptors and reduce the transmission of pain signals. They are available as oral tablets, nasal sprays, and injections. Oral ergot medications are commonly combined with caffeine to increase their effectiveness. Examples include ergotamine (Cafergot, Ergomar, Migergot) and dihydroergotamine (Brekiya, Migranal, Trudhesa).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c9a73e97-22d4-4970-9f1f-3511807786cde60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ab3870c8-6849-4f2a-af06-db5cfe6f0c3f Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors CGRP inhibitors are medications that treat and prevent migraine. They work by preventing the activation of specific nerves in the brain related to pain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762907bfc80b-1512-4b94-90bc-f1663445f55b Gepants are a type of CGRP inhibitor that provides pain relief during a migraine attack. They are available as oral pills and nasal sprays. They include: ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) zavegepant (Zavzpret) Monoclonal antibodies are another type of CGRP inhibitor. They can help prevent migraine and cluster headaches. Monoclonal antibodies are administered as an injection under the skin or as an intravenous infusion. Examples include: erenumab (Aimovig) fremanezumab (Ajovy) galcanezumab (Emgality) eptinezumab (Vyepti) High Blood Pressure Medications Beta-blockers treat high blood pressure and can also help prevent migraine attacks. Common beta-blockers for migraine include propranolol and timolol.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629029b745c-8d95-4b50-a345-ef8176ed90ca Verapamil (Calan SR, Verelan) is a type of medication called a calcium channel blocker . It prevents blood vessels from narrowing or widening, which can trigger migraine symptoms. Verapamil is sometimes a first-line treatment for preventing cluster headaches.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a33a0588-a27b-4f0c-b1e2-c04090f5205d Other Medications Some medications that treat other conditions can also treat or prevent headaches, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293e189ed5-be00-4e60-82de-1cf72222c676 Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Injections Botox prevents the release of CGRP and other pain messengers. It is injected into the muscles of the forehead and neck every 12 weeks to prevent migraine attacks.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762977d26728-c3cc-464f-a332-8c0258f59e9d Nausea Relief Drugs These medications ease nausea symptoms of migraine headaches. Examples include chlorpromazine (Thorazine), metoclopramide (Reglan, Gimoti), and promethazine (Phenergan).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290b65d154-6c04-4e73-99f4-69ec81cd8d33 Antiseizure Medications Medications that commonly treat epilepsy may also help prevent migraine. Examples of antiseizure medications that treat migraine include topiramate (Topamax) and divalproex sodium (Depakote). Antidepressants Some antidepressant medications may help prevent migraine attacks. Examples include tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine (Effexor).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c15ebfec-af51-481d-a717-ef16a812d4ce Lidocaine Lidocaine is a type of local anesthetic. It has a numbing effect, which may help reduce cluster headache pain when taken as a nasal spray. It may also be administered as a nerve block (injection) to treat pain from headaches like occipital neuralgia. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids , such as prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rayos), are often used together with verapamil. They provide short-term relief for cluster headaches, but can cause serious side effects with long-term use. Lithium (Lithobid) Commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, lithium may also help prevent chronic cluster headaches when other medications aren’t effective. Complementary and Integrative Therapies The following complementary therapies can help relieve headache symptoms or help you reduce and manage stress from headache pain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299986cbc9-219f-48ab-82f5-8a904e38e5be Oxygen Therapy Breathing in pure oxygen through a mask can relieve symptoms of a cluster headache within 15 minutes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297d25578e-8439-43cb-8101-9369775dc98e Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation Stimulating the vagus nerve can help relieve headache pain. This involves using a handheld controller to send electrical stimulation to your vagus nerve through the skin. The vagus nerve connects your brain to the rest of your nervous system and plays a role in regulating pain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762987979c9b-b22a-4f75-9ff6-64a10894e57b Biofeedback This relaxation technique involves placing special sensors on your body to teach you how to monitor and manage physical stress from headaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) This therapy involves learning how negative thought patterns and beliefs affect your body, emotions, and behavior. CBT can help you cope with headache pain and reduce headache-related psychological distress. Physical Therapy Physical therapies, such as massage and acupuncture, may help reduce stress related to headache pain.
Causes Causes and Risk Factors of Headaches Migraine is a genetic disorder, meaning people with a family history of migraine are more likely to have the disorder. Women are more likely to have migraine attacks than men, due in part to hormone changes during the time of menstrual periods or pregnancy. For some women, migraine symptoms improve after menopause .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629edda3bb2-0d50-4257-813a-75484868e213 The following factors can also trigger or increase your risk of primary headaches:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629690591bc-3efd-49ec-99da-9bf27cf6ccb5 Mental and physical stress Sleep changes or lack of sleep Dehydration Poor posture Alcohol Smoking Skipped meals Certain foods Weather changes Factors that can increase your risk of secondary headaches include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ed5e0c89-bfb1-43a6-b5e8-7b2eedff897ce60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762957cb1385-e725-487a-9247-b09be759db71 Substance misuse or withdrawal Infections, such as COVID-19, sinusitis, or meningitis Brain injury, such as a concussion or stroke Brain tumor Neuropathy
Diagnosis How Are Headaches Diagnosed? Your doctor will review your medical and family history and perform physical and neurological exams. A neurological exam may involve testing your vision, hearing, speech, and coordination.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b8ee1b1e-4cae-4c2a-92c4-62cd8718dd82 To determine the specific cause of your headache, you doctor may also order screening and diagnostic tests, which can include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d5b280c9-cc91-44da-9a78-cec4b1290b67 Blood and urine tests to check for infection, toxins, medication levels, and other health conditions Spinal fluid analysis to check for meningitis, encephalitis, viral infections, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis Imaging tests , which can detect physical changes in the brain, such as a tumor, stroke, brain injury, infection, and signs of neurodegenerative disorders. They include computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . Electroencephalogram (EEG) to show changes in brain wave activity and which can help diagnose seizures and other disorders that disrupt brain activity
Headache is one of the most common causes of pain, and it can have a significant impact on your daily life. There are many different types of headache, and they vary in cause, frequency, severity, and duration. There are two main categories of headache: primary and secondary. Primary headache is a headache that happens on its own. Secondary headache is a headache that happens because of another medical condition. There is no cure for primary headaches, but medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes can help manage pain and reduce their frequency. Secondary headaches may go away after treating the underlying condition.
Symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Headaches Headache symptoms can vary depending on the type of headache. They can happen in episodes, with symptom-free periods in between, or be chronic, lasting days or weeks.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762941044edf-bd86-4ef7-88f8-48a3ce4ff972 Pain can range from mild to severe and may occur with other symptoms, such as nausea or increased sensitivity to light. Headaches can cause pain on one or both sides of the head and in other areas, such as the face, neck, top of the head, or around one eye. Other common headache symptoms include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290c341e82-ac1d-4e7e-b072-060101622dc1 Vomiting Fatigue Increased sensory sensitivity Visual disturbances ( aura ) Stuffy or runny nose Eye redness or tearing Sweating Nervousness or restlessness Disturbed sleep Some symptoms can be a sign of a more serious or life-threatening condition, such as a stroke , tumor, or brain hemorrhage. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ccc8f207-e98f-4b3e-8d3c-e1848ceed2f7 A severe headache with unexplained fever, nausea, or vomiting A sudden, severe headache with a stiff neck A new, severe headache with confusion, weakness, blurry vision, or loss of consciousness A headache that gets worse or changes over days or weeks A headache after head trauma A headache with loss of feeling or weakness A headache with shaking or trouble breathing Two or more headaches a week A headache with speech difficulties A new, constant headache after age 50
Complications Complications of Headaches Primary headaches typically don’t cause serious complications, but they can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Without treatment, conditions that cause secondary headaches can become life threatening. Potential complications of headaches include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762968f6a013-fa5c-40d1-8609-8bbb790e77d5 Medication Side Effects Some headache medications can cause mild side effects, such as constipation, nausea, drowsiness, or fatigue. Long-term use of some headache medications may increase the risk of more serious side effects, such as diabetes, kidney problems, and gastrointestinal bleeding.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629451df4cd-03eb-40d1-8871-b0af344e3dd8 Mental Health Disorders Chronic headache pain is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. Sleep Disorders Headaches can cause disruptions with sleep. People with migraine or cluster headache more commonly experience sleep disorders. Increased Risk of Suicide Primary headache disorders, such as migraine, cluster headache, and chronic tension headache, are associated with a higher risk of suicide .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297f4c2a84-a850-4262-bfc5-f6ed8ebaf999 Status Migrainosus In rare cases, a migraine attack can cause debilitating pain and nausea that lasts for more than 72 hours. Symptoms may be so intense that a person requires hospitalization. Complications of Untreated Secondary Headaches Without treatment, conditions that cause secondary headaches can lead to serious or life-threatening complications, such as stroke, bleeding in the brain, and seizures.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e521876f-1976-40a8-9066-d6e41b6a2d5b
Types Types of Headaches There are many different types of both primary and secondary headaches. Primary Headaches A primary headache is a headache that is not caused by another medical condition. Common types of primary headache include: Migraine causes moderate to severe throbbing headaches, usually on one side of the head. Other symptoms, such as visual disturbances (aura), nausea, vomiting, and sensory sensitivity, can occur along with head pain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295af0c004-16cc-4744-a254-ca3535a7c367 Tension-type headache (stress headache) is the most common headache condition. It is often triggered by stressors, such as a lack of sleep or emotional or physical stress. Pain from a tension-type headache is mild to moderate and feels like constant pressure, often on both sides of the head.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ecab7049-3cf0-489d-a4c8-1757fc6897e8 Cluster headache causes sudden, severe pain in or around the eye on one side of the head. It often occurs with allergy-like symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose and redness or swelling in the affected eye. Cluster headache belongs to a group of headaches called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. It is less common than tension-type headache or migraine.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291de0dadc-5d21-4169-9ceb-b4e7062a202d Other, less common types of primary headache include: New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a rare type of headache disorder that occurs suddenly for unknown reasons. It causes a headache that won’t go away and doesn’t get better with common treatments. NDPH pain is moderate to severe, and symptoms typically last for months.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292f1d77bb-1eb3-4bbe-a935-6712669ecdf2 Nummular headache , also called coin-shaped headache, is a rare headache disorder that causes pain in a fixed, coin-shaped area of the head. Pain from a nummular headache is usually mild to moderate and typically lasts for months.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629483597be-68e5-4611-81e7-124aaa5db80f Paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua cause moderate to severe pain on one side of the head. They belong to the same group as cluster headache and cause similar symptoms, such as tearing or redness in one eye and a stuffy or running nose. Paroxysmal hemicrania causes sudden, intermittent attacks that may last for 2 to 30 minutes. Hemicrania continua causes continuous headache pain for three months or more. Both types of headaches respond to treatment with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cb6fd85d-39e2-40c0-ad43-3cba83c25573 Hypnic headache is a rare headache disorder that typically affects older adults. It is also called “alarm-clock headache,” because it causes you to wake during sleep. Hypnic headaches are usually mild to severe and can last from 15 minutes to four hours.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299e0d1930-161b-4478-b585-99c01d7233d8 SUNA/SUNCT, or short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT syndrome), are headache disorders that cause short, intense bursts of pain, typically around one eye. They are often confused with cluster headache due to symptoms like sweating, eyelid swelling, and tearing, but don’t last as long.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629146c3ff3-df11-453e-afea-5f3d062ca12c Sex headache occurs just before or during orgasm. While sudden and severe, they are usually not serious and typically affect men more than women.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762947cc0199-33ad-487a-9068-56a2a2bad729 Secondary Headaches A secondary headache is a headache that is caused by another health issue, such as medication or an infection. Secondary headaches can be more concerning because they may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition . Common types of secondary headaches include: Medication Overuse Headache Long-term use of pain-relieving headache medications can make them less effective and lead to withdrawal, causing medication overuse headaches.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297a0739e4-d889-4668-8aed-6ab4fc8e1889 Sinus Headache Sinus headaches are headaches that feel like a sinus infection. They cause symptoms like pain and pressure in the face, a stuffy or runny nose, and fatigue. Because they share some symptoms, sinus headache is often confused with migraine.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629aab9ac49-20a5-4633-abc9-9d4e95b57621 Less common or rare types of secondary headaches include: Post-Traumatic Headache Post-traumatic headache is a headache that develops after trauma to the head, such as a concussion . Headache pain can resemble a migraine or tension-type headache.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762921f896f2-e77f-4c96-a1c6-5b5c4a0aafad Thunderclap Headache This is a rare, extremely severe headache that occurs suddenly. It is a medical emergency and commonly a sign of a life-threatening condition, such as a brain hemorrhage or constriction of the arteries in the brain.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e17462c8-c63c-4aa7-ac74-d7c880d34899 Spinal Headache Spinal headache, also called post-dural puncture headache or hypotensive/low pressure headache, is an intense headache that can occur when spinal fluid leaks from its protective membrane. It typically occurs after a spinal tap. Most spinal headaches resolve with home treatment, but an untreated spinal headache may lead to life-threatening complications.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e45afe6-e54e-4f79-b90e-02404f67ded9 Tumor-Related Headache In rare cases, a headache can be a symptom of a brain tumor . Headaches caused by a brain tumor tend to get worse over time and may occur with other symptoms, such as trouble understanding speech, memory problems, and motor issues.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d4eeafdb-dfe3-4714-81f9-762688f931f6 Infection-Related Headache Headaches can sometimes be related to a bacterial or viral infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis), Salmonella , COVID-19 , or meningitis .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762980ed3c0e-cbdd-4e5d-88bc-7a6853a146fe Neuropathy-Related Headache Some headaches can be caused by a type of nerve damage called neuropathy . These include trigeminal neuralgia, which causes sudden attacks of severe face pain, occipital neuralgia, which causes a shooting pain that starts in the neck, and cervical radiculopathy, which causes radiating pain due to compressed nerves in the neck.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293772117c-850a-4615-ba5f-8e323e0e86d2
Prevention Lifestyle Changes and Prevention of Headaches You may not always be able to prevent headaches. But, along with medications and therapies, the following lifestyle changes may help reduce their frequency and severity:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b0aebac1-1ce9-4950-ab27-ed76e7d4457f Reduce stress, such as with breathing exercises, meditation , and yoga. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Get regular exercise. Eat a healthy diet. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Avoid headache triggers, such as smells, foods, or beverages. Avoid or reduce medications that may cause headaches, such as those containing estrogen .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762999c34f91-4042-4767-b8cf-ce98a846d279
The Takeaway Headaches can be primary or secondary. Primary headaches occur on their own and include migraine, tension-type headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are symptoms of an underlying medical condition, such as an infection, head trauma, tumor, or medication overuse. Headache pain can happen on one or both sides of the head and may occur with other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, visual disturbances, sensory sensitivity, and stuffy or runny nose. Treatment involves medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes to manage and prevent symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a severe or worsening headache along with symptoms like an unexplained fever, stiff neck, weakness, or confusion.
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