What does the location of your headache tell you? Discover the meanings behind different types of headache locations and how they can aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding Headache Locations and Their Meanings

Headaches are a common ailment experienced by the majority of the population, with an estimated two-thirds of adults having experienced a headache at some point in their lives. While headaches can be a nuisance, they can also be a symptom of underlying medical conditions. One crucial aspect of understanding headaches is their location, as the location of a headache can provide valuable insights into the type of headache and its potential cause.

Primary Headaches and Their Characteristics

Headaches can be broadly classified into two main categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches.

Primary headaches are those that are not caused by any underlying medical condition. These types of headaches can be triggered by factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, hunger, alcohol, exhaustion, or a psychosomatic response. The most common types of primary headaches are:

• Tension headaches
• Migraines
• Episodic headaches
• Chronic headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Chronic daily/New daily persistent headaches

Secondary Headaches and Their Underlying Causes

Secondary headaches, on the other hand, are the result of underlying medical conditions. Headaches are a symptom of these conditions, and understanding the headache location can help diagnose the underlying cause. The most common types of secondary headaches include:

• Hypertension headaches
• Traumatic headaches
• Allergy-related/Sinusitis headaches
• Hormone-related headaches
• Infection-associated headaches
• Medication overuse headaches
• Caffeine headaches
• Exertion/ Exercise-associated headaches

Migraine vs. Headache: Key Differences

One of the most common misconceptions is the difference between a migraine and a regular headache. While both can cause pain, there are some distinct differences between the two:

• Migraines are characterized by a pulsating pain on one side of the head, often arising from deep within, while regular headaches can be felt across the entire head or in a band around the head.
• Migraines can cause severe sensitivity to light and sound, as well as visual disturbances like flashing auras, lights, stars, and blind spots. Regular headaches do not typically have these associated symptoms.
• Migraines can last for several hours to days, while regular headaches are often shorter in duration.

Headache Location Meanings and Their Implications

The location of a headache can provide valuable clues about the type of headache and its potential cause. Here’s a closer look at what the location of a headache can tell you:

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are often described as a dull aching sensation that takes over the entire head or a band around the head, resulting in tenderness and sensitivity over the neck. This type of headache is caused by a psychosomatic response and is also known as a psychosomatic headache.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are characterized by a pulsating pain on one side of the head, often arising from deep within. They can severely limit your ability to perform basic tasks as the pain is severe, throbbing, and can last between a few hours to several days.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches occur in only one side of the head and are often felt within the eye socket. The pain is described as burning and piercing, and the affected side can even become slightly swollen and red. Tears from the affected eye socket and nasal congestion on the same side are also notable features of cluster headaches.

Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches are often associated with a feeling of pressure or pain in the forehead, around the eyes, or in the cheeks. These headaches are typically caused by sinus inflammation or infection and can be accompanied by other sinus-related symptoms like nasal congestion or facial tenderness.

Hypertension Headaches

Headaches caused by high blood pressure, or hypertension, are often felt as a dull, throbbing pain in the back of the head or at the base of the skull. These headaches are typically more severe in the morning and may be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.

Caffeine Withdrawal Headaches

Headaches caused by caffeine withdrawal can be felt across the entire head or focused on the temples. These headaches often occur in individuals who consume a significant amount of caffeine on a regular basis and then suddenly cut back or stop consuming it.

Seeking Medical Attention for Headaches

While many headaches can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications or lifestyle changes, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent, severe, or unusual headaches. A healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause of your headaches and recommend the appropriate treatment. By understanding the location and characteristics of your headaches, you can better communicate with your healthcare provider and work together to find the most effective way to manage your symptoms.

Headache Location Meanings & Headache Anatomy: What the Location of Your Headache Can Tell You | Blog

Headache Location Meanings & Headache Anatomy: What the Location of Your Headache Can Tell You

11/20/2021 6:19:36 AM

Headaches are one of the most commonly faced ailments by a majority of the world. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of adults have experienced a headache at some point in their lives. Though quite a common problem, headaches also happen to be symptoms of underlying diseases and can be important in the diagnosis of these conditions. Another integral aspect of headaches is their location, headache location meanings are essential in understanding the type of headache and determining its cause. 

You need to remain educated about the location types of headaches as they can be instrumental in determining potentially serious conditions. In this article, we detail what different headaches mean, the differences between migraine vs. headache, and also provide a ‘types of headaches’ chart to highlight their most salient features. 

What are The Different Types of Headaches?

Though there are nearly 150 identified forms of headaches, they can be broadly classified under two categories: 

• Primary Headache: These are the types of headaches that are not caused by any underlying medical condition. Primary headaches can be caused by factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, hunger, alcohol, exhaustion, or a psychosomatic response. The most prevalent types of primary headaches are: 
• Tension headaches 
• Migraines 
• Episodic headaches 
• Chronic headaches 
• Cluster headaches 
• Chronic daily/New daily persistent headaches 

• Secondary Headaches: These headaches are often the result of underlying medical conditions. Headaches are symptoms of these conditions and understanding the headache location meanings can help diagnose their causative disease. The most common types of secondary headaches observed are: 
• Hypertension headaches 
• Traumatic headaches 
• Allergy-related/Sinusitis headaches
• Hormone-related headaches 
• Infection-associated headaches 
• Medication overuse headaches 
• Caffeine headaches 
• Exertion/ Exercise-associated headaches

Headache Types & Their Features

Here are some of the most common headaches and what they entail: 

• Primary Headaches
• Tension Headaches: 
• A dull aching sensation that takes over the entire head or a band around the head, and results in tenderness and sensitivity over the neck.  
• Tension headaches are caused by a psychosomatic response and are also called psychosomatic headaches. 
• The pain can radiate to the neck and the adjoining areas of the shoulders; regions most commonly associated with stress. 
• Over-the-counter painkillers can help, however, when tension headaches are a regular occurrence or take up a chronic form, a detailed medical examination is the best course of action. 

• Migraines
• Migraines are characterized by a pulsating pain on one side of the head, often arising from deep within. 
• They severely limit your ability to perform basic tasks as the pain is severe, throbbing, and can last between a few hours to several days.  
• A prominent difference between a migraine vs. headache is that the former can cause a severe sensitivity to light and sound. 
• People suffering from migraines report seeing flashing auras, lights, stars, and even blind spots in their visual field. 
• Due to certain similarities, people also tend to get confused between the characteristics of a COVID-19 headache vs. migraine. 
• While COVID-19 headaches too tend to have a pulsatile nature, they tend to occur on both sides of the head, while migraines occur only on one side. 

• Episodic Headaches
• Episodic headaches last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.  
• Episodic headaches occur regularly. 

• Chronic headaches
• Unlike episodic headaches, chronic headaches are more consistent and occur over a longer period. 
• They can even last for several days at a time and require a systematic treatment approach to manage the pain and other symptoms associated with these headaches. 

• Cluster Headaches
• Cluster headaches occur in only one side of the head and are often felt within the eye socket. 
• The pain is described as burning & piercing, and the affected side can even become slightly swollen and red.  
• Tears from the affected eye socket and nasal congestion on the same side are also notable features of cluster headaches. 
• These are episodic, and each episode lasts between a few minutes up to a couple of hours. Patients commonly report up to four episodes a day.

• Chronic Daily Headaches
• These headaches are seen in people that have no prior history of other headache-related conditions. 
• Chronic daily headaches have a sudden onset and can last for nearly three months, before being resolved. This is followed by a symptom-free period. 
• It occurs on both sides of the head and does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication.  

• Secondary Headaches
• Hypertension headaches 
• These headaches indicate dangerously high blood pressure levels. 
• The pain is pulsatile and worsens with activity. 
• It’s important to visit a doctor immediately if you have a history of high blood pressure and suffer from a severe, uncontrollable headache on both sides of your head. 
  

• Traumatic Headaches
• These headaches occur following a severe head injury and can last for up to a year after the trauma. 
• Their locations and implications are similar to those of tension headaches and migraines.  

• Allergy/Sinusitis Headaches
• These headaches are the result of an allergic reaction, or may occur due to full sinuses. 
• The pain is focused around the sinus areas on the face. 
• Patients often report symptoms like pressure in the forehead and make statements like, ‘When I cough, my head hurts.’ These are common indicators of a sinusitis headache. 
• Nasal decongestant sprays are often helpful in relieving these headaches by clearing out the mucus in the sinuses. 

• Hormone-related Headaches
• These headaches are reported in women.  
• Several patients get confused when it comes to symptoms of migraine vs. headache, especially when suffering from this type of condition. 
• Given that both migraines and hormone headaches are more prevalent in women and have similar symptoms, these headaches are also called menstrual migraines. 
• They can occur because of pregnancy, menstruation, and even due to birth control pills altering hormone levels. 

• Substance-associated Headaches
• Substances such as caffeine, certain medications, and other stimulants can affect the rate of blood flow to the brain. 
• The sudden increase or decrease in the rate of the consumption of these substances can cause headaches.  
• Quitting these substances cold-turkey can also result in similar conditions. The best solution to rid oneself of these pains is by tapering off the quantity of the substance gradually. 

• Infection-related Headaches
• These headaches arise from infections of the head and neck. 
• A stiff neck associated with a headache warrants immediate medical attention. 
• Infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, and space infections of the face can lead to severe and radiating headaches. These are serious conditions that need to be addressed in a hospital. 
• Viral infections like influenza can also cause headaches that are centred around the forehead and the sinus regions.  
• If you experience a runny nose, weakness and headache, you will need an influenza test to confirm the diagnosis.

• Exertion/ Exercise-related Headaches
• Headaches can be caused by an increased rate of blood flow to the head. 
• Exertion headaches are caused by intense bouts of physical exercise such as weight lifting, running, or strength training. 

Types of Headaches Chart

Below are listed common headache location meanings, so you know where to look the next time you encounter an episode. 

Be sure to keep track of your symptoms and don’t forget to refer to the above chart when in doubt. If you suffer from episodic headaches that occur more than 15 times in a single month, it is likely that the condition has developed into a chronic one. Take note of the intensity and don’t forget to contact your doctor immediately if a headache is unbearable.

Types of Headaches and Location

Types of Headaches and Location | Headache Location Meaning

A headache is the most common form of pain. Although there are over 150 types of headaches, only a few types are common. The location of your headache can help you know the type.

By Chris Iliades, MD • June 23, 2020

Nine out of ten people will have a headache at some time. The location of your headache may be an important clue to the type of headache, along with other clues like when the headache occurs, how long it lasts, how severe it is, and what other symptoms you have with the headache. [1]

Primary headaches occur on their own without being caused by a medical condition like a fever or head injury. Tension headache, migraine, and cluster headache are the most familiar types of primary headaches. Headaches caused by another condition are secondary headaches, some of these types are also common. [1,2]

1. Tension Headache

This primary headache is the most common type of headache. The location is usually on both sides of your head. This headache causes a dull and constant pain. It may feel like a band tightening around your head, causing pressure in your face, head, and neck. Most tension headaches occur between 10 and 15 days per month and last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. [1]

Tension headaches were once called muscle contraction headaches because they can be caused by stressful contraction of muscles in  your head or neck. Emotional stress, stressful postures, anxiety, and depression may all be triggers for this headache. [1]

Identifying your stress triggers and avoiding them may prevent stress headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers are the most common treatment. [1-3]

2. Migraine Headache

Migraine headaches affect about 12 percent of Americans. Women are affected about three times more frequently than men. [1] The location of this headache is usually on one side of your head. The pain is moderate to severe and throbs or pulsates. Migraine headaches often occur along with nausea and are made worse by movement, light, noise, or odors.  [1-3]

A migraine attack can last from 4 to 72 hours. [2] Some people have migraine warning symptoms called an aura. These may include visual disturbances, numbness, weakness, or tingling. An aura may occur 30 to 60 minutes before the headache. [1-3]

Migraine headaches often run in families. The cause of migraines is not completely understood. Brain chemicals that activate pain producing nerves inside blood vessels of the brain may be part of the cause.   Attacks may be triggered by foods, lack of sleep, stress, hunger, smoking, and changes in the weather. In women, hormone changes of puberty and menstrual cycles may be triggers. [1-3] Migraine attacks can range from once a year to once a week. [2]

There are many types of migraine medications. They fall into two types. Medications that you take every day to prevent migraine attacks are called preventive medicines. You can also help prevent attacks by keeping a headache diary to identify and avoid your migraine triggers. Medications that you take to relieve the pain of a migraine are called abortive medications. These are taken at the first sign of an attack. [1]

3. Cluster Headache

A cluster headache often hits behind or around an eye.

Cluster headache is much less common than tension or migraine. The location of this headache is around one eye. The pain is very severe. Your eye may become swollen, red, and teary. Your eyelid may droop. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose. Cluster headaches are about six time more common in men. They are named cluster headaches because the headaches tend to start suddenly and occur a few times every day for a few weeks and then go away. The clusters may come back a few times each year. [1-3]

The exact cause of cluster headaches is not known. They usually occur between ages 20 and 50. Triggers can include smoking and drinking alcohol. There are several treatment options including electrical nerve stimulation, oxygen therapy, injections, and oral medications for both pain relief and prevention. [1]

Other Headaches With Specific Locations

For many primary and secondary headaches, the location of the headache is less important. However, location can be a key to diagnosis for these headache types:

4. Cervicogenic Headache

This headache causes pain on one side of your head or face along with a stiff neck. You may also have pain in your arm or shoulder. This type may be caused by a neck injury or arthritis of your upper spine.

5. Giant Cell Arteritis

This type of headache is caused by swelling and irritation of an artery that runs in front of your ear near your temple. It is also called temporal arteritis. You may have a jabbing or burning pain in your temple. It can be painful to touch the temple area. This pain is caused by inflammation of the temporal artery.

6. Sinus Headache

This secondary headache is caused by a sinus infection. The location of the pain is over a blocked or infected sinus. Pain may be between or above your eyes or over your teeth. This pain is usually on one side, but can be on both sides. You may also have nasal congestion, nasal discharge, or fever. Many people who think they have sinus headaches actually have migraine, which is much more common than sinus headache.

7. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Your TMJ is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your face. If this joint is swollen or injured it can cause pain inside or just in front of your ear. You may feel it on one or both sides of your face. Your jaw may also click or lock and pain may get worse with chewing. Arthritis, jaw clenching from stress, teeth grinding at night, and jaw injuries are some causes of TMJ. [3]

How to Diagnose a Headache

To get the right headache treatment and the meaning of your headache’s location, you need the right diagnosis. Let your doctor know if you have headaches that are getting worse or if you have headaches three or more time per week. If you are over age 50 and you start having headaches for the first time, let your doctor know. [1]

You can help your doctor diagnose your headache by keeping a headache diary. Keep track of your symptoms, the location of your headache, when they start and end, possible triggers, and things that help or make the pain worse. [1]

Most headaches are not dangerous, but some can be. These are some red flag headaches that need a doctor visit right away:

• A sudden and severe headache with a stiff neck
• Severe headache with fever, nausea, or vomiting
• The worst headache ever, with confusion, weakness, double vision, loss of consciousness, seizure, double vision, weakness, or numbness
• Headache after a head injury. [1]

SOURCES

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Headache: Hope Through Research
2. World Health Organization, Headache disorders
3. National Headache Foundation, The Complete Headache Chart

As a service to our readers, University Health News offers a vast archive of free digital content. Please note the date published or last update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Tags: alcohol, anxiety, arthritis, brain, brain chemicals, cluster headache, cluster headaches, depression, emotional stress, head injury, headache treatment, headaches, health, hormone, infection, inflammation, lack of sleep, migraine, migraine headache, migraine headaches, migraine triggers, migraines, muscle, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, need a doctor, oxygen therapy, pain, pain relief, pain relievers, runny nose, seizure, severe headache, sinus, sinus headache, sinus headaches, sinus infection, sleep, smoking, stress, stroke, tension headache, tension headaches, weather

Dr. Chris Iliades is board-certified in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery from the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. He holds a medical … Read More

View all posts by Chris Iliades, MD

Enter Your Login Credentials

Email

Password

Remember Me

This setting should only be used on your home or work computer.

• Lost Password? Create New Password
• No Password? Sign Up

×

Treatment of headaches in the medical center “Clinic ABC”

Headache is more dangerous than people think!

Headache is a very common complaint that is not taken seriously by many people. It is important to recognize that ignoring a headache is extremely short-sighted, as it can be a symptom of a disease that tends to progress and impair quality of life.

Finding the cause of the headache

Diagnosis requires:

• examination by a neurologist;
• electroencephalography;
• measurement of intracranial pressure with a slit lamp;
• ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck.

The most common diseases that cause headache include pathologies of the cervical spine, arteries of the neck and head, chronic inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, brain tumors. Also, injuries and unsuccessful neurosurgical operations often lead to headaches.

Types and locations of headaches

Pain that is localized in the occipital region, has a pressing dull character, may occur due to spasm of the muscles of the head and neck. This condition is provoked by prolonged stress, and can also serve as a sign of vegetovascular dystonia. Muscle tension can lead to compression of the occipital nerve. This condition, if left untreated, tends to worsen over time, causing pain and tension to increase.

Pain that is localized in the neck and radiates to the head (to the temporal region, to the eyes) may indicate osteochondrosis or an inflammatory process in the cervical vertebrae or sinuses.

Long-term neglect of the disease can lead to spasm of cerebral vessels, which complicates the process of oxygen and nutrients supply. Possible consequences: deterioration of hearing, vision, sleep disturbance, sexual weakness, headache, dizziness.

If the pain is evenly felt throughout the head, there is reason to assume increased intracranial pressure. This condition is characterized by an excess of cerebrospinal fluid that fills the cavities of the brain.

Without proper treatment, hearing impairment, fatigue, memory impairment are observed.

Throbbing pain that is migratory (temporal, eye) is migraine. The disease is considered rare and poorly understood. One of the versions of its pathogenesis is inflammation of the sinuses or cervical spine, in which the cerebral arteries are irritated, which leads to their sharp narrowing and expansion.

Migraine can lead to depression, brain function is not impaired.

Treatment of headaches

Before prescribing therapy, the doctor must find out the cause of the headache. Depending on the pathology, methods are used:

• acupuncture;
• conservative treatment;
• surgery;
• psychotherapy.

In case of repeated attacks of headache, contact the specialists of the ABC Clinic, who will competently make a diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.

Living without a headache is pleasant, useful and achievable.

Primary source medical center “ABC Clinic”

Headache – the main diagnostic methods and the benefits of MRI

Headache, sleep disturbance, reduced level of performance of functional duties – common complaints of people of working age. A visit to the doctor should not be postponed, since such symptoms indicate diseases of various etiologies, including vascular damage, homeostasis disorders, and mental disorders.

Types of cephalalgia

If you have a headache, examinations are prescribed after a physical and neurological examination, as well as the results of laboratory and instrumental screenings. Most patients have primary forms — migraine and tension headache (EH). In other cases, “secondary” cephalgia is diagnosed, which are associated or appear due to systemic diseases. GB classification? is a multi-level list, however, the most common forms of cephalgia can be distinguished:

• vascular;
• muscle tension;
• neuralgic;
• psychological;
• mixed;
• cluster;
• temporal arteritis;
• paroxysmal hemicrania;
• Pain caused by infection and injury.

Very often, headaches are caused by a combination of pathogenetic factors, in some cases, standard headache tests do not reveal the causes of poor health.

Basic diagnostic methods

What tests are prescribed for headaches? An atypical clinic, suspicion of a tumor or other morphological changes require a comprehensive MRI of the brain, as well as various types of ultrasound examinations, CT, angiography. In some situations, it may be necessary to consult narrow specialists: an ophthalmologist, an otolaryngologist, a dentist, a vascular surgeon.

Taking into account the multifactorial causes of GB? diagnostic measures are aimed at differentiation and exclusion of serious organic disorders: tumors, traumatic injuries, disorders of cerebral circulation, infectious and inflammatory processes. An important role is played by the detailing of complaints, the identification of trigger factors and heredity.

Comprehensive MRI of the brain – what does it show?

The technique includes the study of all structures: the ventricular system, the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum, the trunk, the pituitary gland. For headaches, complex MRI is performed in three projections, while the slice thickness is no more than 5 mm. In a native examination, brain structures are displayed in sagittal, axial and transverse projections.

The pituitary gland, temporal lobes, and other small structures require close examination using coronal planes with cuts no greater than 3 mm. If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging with a contrast agent is performed. The technique allows to visualize with high accuracy the locations and boundaries of the pathological focus, to assess the prevalence of the process. Indications for the diagnostic procedure are suspicions of the following diseases:

• anatomical anomalies of the structure of the brain;
• Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease;
• multiple sclerosis;
• traumatic brain injury;
• ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke;
• tumors and cysts;
• intracranial hypertension.

The images clearly visualize zones of ischemia, deformities of the pituitary gland, violations of the boundaries of white and gray matter, small focal hemorrhages, hyperplastic nerve endings.

Preparation and basic principles of diagnostics

The examination technology is based on the principles of magnetism and the phenomenon of resonant absorption of electromagnetic waves in a constant field of high intensity. The tomograph provides a stable position of charged particles and registers magnetic waves emanating from the patient’s body. All data is recorded and subjected to computer processing, after which the picture is visualized and displayed on the monitor.

If the head hurts, the examination is carried out without prior preparation, because early diagnosis plays a crucial role in emergency cases. Immediately before the procedure, the patient must remove all metal accessories, including clothing with fittings made of similar materials.

An exception is the complex MRI of the brain with the introduction of a contrast agent, which is not prescribed for patients with impaired renal function. A relative contraindication is pregnancy, chronic diseases in the acute stage.

Benefits of the procedure

It is obvious that the answer to the question: “What tests should be done if the head hurts?” The doctor’s answer will be the appointment of a comprehensive diagnosis, where the leading role is rightfully occupied by magnetic resonance imaging.