Head pressure and dizziness: Causes, treatment, and more

A feeling of pressure in the head or behind the eyes, along with dizziness, can occur with some types of headache. The symptoms may worsen if a person changes position. Some conditions, such as sinusitis, can cause both a headache and dizziness.

Head pressure and dizziness can often occur due to migraine. Any chronic or very severe and sudden symptoms may warn of a serious underlying condition.

It is important to note that there are four types of dizziness:

• Vertigo: A person experiences a sensation that they are moving when they are still or feels as though they are spinning.
• Disequilibrium: A person feels wobbly or off-balance.
• Presyncope: A person feels as though they are passing out.
• Lightheadedness: A person feels vague, as if they are losing connection with their environment.

A person might be able to identify which type of dizziness they feel, which could help a doctor diagnose the cause accurately.

This article will list some possible causes of head pressure and dizziness occurring together. It will also cover some treatment options for each one and explain when a person should contact a doctor.

However, these are not the only possible causes of head pressure and dizziness. A person should contact a doctor to receive a full examination and the correct diagnosis.

Seasonal allergies, which doctors sometimes call allergic rhinitis, can cause feelings of pressure in the head and sinuses.

Some people also experience symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, a sore throat, and a general feeling of being unwell. Any of these symptoms can lead to dizziness, especially if a person feels very congested or develops sinusitis.

How to treat allergies

A number of treatments can help ease the symptoms of allergies. The first is avoiding allergens by staying indoors more often during allergy season or using an air filter. Some people also find that wearing masks helps ease allergy symptoms.

Taking allergy medications can also ease symptoms. Immunotherapy, which exposes a person to very small quantities of the allergen to stop their body from overreacting to it, can also be helpful. People who are interested in a permanent solution to allergies could ask a doctor about immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots.

Learn more about allergy medications here.

A headache that results from sinusitis can cause feelings of pressure in the head, especially near the front of the face and under the eyes. This happens because fluid builds up in the sinuses, generally due to an infection.

Some people also get dizzy, feel sick, or have lower energy levels.

How to treat sinusitis

Applying heated pads or warm compresses to the face may help. Some people may also find relief by taking allergy medications or over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.

Antibiotics can treat some sinus infections, but only if they are due to bacteria. They cannot help with viral infections.

Some people may develop a chronic form of sinusitis that may require a consultation with a specialist.

Learn about home remedies to ease sinus pressure here.

Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which is just past the eardrum. These infections are common among children. Sometimes, an ear infection follows another illness, such as a sinus infection or the flu.

The middle ear makes fluid itself to keep itself clean. This fluid should drain into the throat through an opening. However, if the throat becomes swollen, the opening swells shut. Therefore, the fluid collects, which can be painful. It may then become infected.

Symptoms may come on suddenly, and most people develop a fever. A person may also have pressure in the head, ringing in the ears, or dizziness.

How to treat an ear infection

Lying down with the ear that hurts facing up, with a heated pad on top, may help relieve the pain of an ear infection. This is because gravity helps the fluid from the ear drain into the throat. Also, the heat from the pad helps keep the drainage site open.

Taking OTC pain relievers can also help ease the symptoms.

Antibiotics may help treat middle ear infections, especially in young children and people with weak immune systems. However, draining the ear by lying on the correct side will help stop the condition from recurring and prevent a ruptured eardrum, which could happen due to fluid buildup.

Learn more about how to treat ear infections here.

Migraine is a neurological type of headache that happens when changes in the brain cause head pain and other unusual sensations.

Some people experience migraine as head pressure along with other neurological symptoms, such as:

• dizziness
• sensitivity to light
• vomiting
• hearing unusual sounds
• seeing unusual lights

How to treat a migraine headache

Taking pain relievers may help ease a migraine headache, but people experiencing chronic migraine headaches should contact a doctor. They can prescribe medications to prevent migraine headaches and rule out other conditions.

The doctor may also recommend keeping a log of headaches to help with identifying potential triggers.

Learn about migraine triggers and how to avoid them here.

A tension headache happens when muscle tension radiates to the head. A person may also experience shoulder or neck pain.

Tension headaches tend to come on slowly, getting worse over time and causing pain throughout the head and sometimes a feeling of pressure. Very bad tension headaches can also make a person feel dizzy.

How to treat a tension headache

Some people may find relief from tension headaches by applying hot or cold packs to the neck or head or by taking OTC headache medications.

Chronic tension headaches occur when a person experiences a tension headache for 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months. They sometimes happen when a person has underlying muscle issues, sits at a computer all day, or has chronic stress. A doctor may be able to identify strategies for dealing with these issues.

Learn about 19 natural remedies for headaches here.

High blood pressure, especially a sudden shift in blood pressure, may cause pain and pressure in the head, as well as dizziness.

Any type of pain, including that associated with headaches, may also cause high blood pressure. However, in this case, relieving the headache may not lead to lower blood pressure.

How to treat high blood pressure

It is important to talk with a doctor about high blood pressure, as making behavioral changes and taking medications, such as beta-blockers, can help.

A person may find that managing stress or eating less salt can also help lower their blood pressure.

A home blood pressure reading with a systolic (top) number above 180 or a diastolic (bottom) number above 120 warrants a 911 call or a trip to the emergency room.

Learn about 15 ways to naturally lower blood pressure here.

When a person has intracranial hypertension, it means that there is higher pressure from the fluid that cushions the brain. This can happen for many reasons, including:

• a serious head injury
• a stroke
• an infection or growth in the brain, including a brain tumor

A person may experience a chronic throbbing headache or neurological symptoms such as vision issues or difficulty concentrating. If this is the case, a person should contact a doctor, as these symptoms can be life threatening.

Some people develop intracranial hypertension for no clear reason. Doctors call this idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Making certain lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, may help with IIH.

Learn more about increased intracranial pressure here.

A person should contact a doctor if they:

• have an ear infection or ear pain that gets worse or does not improve within a few days
• have a headache that lasts longer than a day or have frequent headaches
• have severe allergies
• think that they may have migraine headaches
• have headaches that affect their mental health or daily functioning

A person should go to the emergency room if they experience any of the following:

• a sudden, unexplained, very severe headache that makes it impossible to do anything else, along with other symptoms, such as nausea or tingling
• stroke symptoms, such as numbness on one side of the body or a drooping face
• loss of consciousness, a feeling of being very well, or a worry that their headache is an emergency

Some other symptoms a person might notice with a headache and dizziness include:

• nausea
• fatigue
• a fever
• congestion or face pain
• sneezing
• panic or anxiety

The following symptoms can also occur, but they are more likely to signal an emergency:

• numbness on one side of the body
• confusion
• blurry vision
• high blood pressure

When a headache or dizziness lasts for a long time, it is more likely that a person has a chronic or serious condition, such as migraine, head pressure from a tumor or infection, or a brain injury.

A person should avoid self-diagnosing and contact a doctor if they are concerned.

Learn more about persistent headaches here.

Some people develop may headaches or dizziness after eating. This does not necessarily mean that food caused the symptoms, so it is important to look at other factors.

Sometimes, however, food poisoning, food sensitivities, and even overeating may cause dizziness and headaches, as well as stomach pain.

A person may also develop a headache after eating sugar.

Learn more about sugar headaches here.

Headaches can be very painful, but they are usually harmless. In most cases, a person can manage the symptoms at home.

When the headache is intense or lasts a long time, however, it is important to contact a doctor. Receiving early treatment can improve the outlook even for very serious illnesses.

A person should avoid self-diagnosing and instead seek an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for symptoms of any severity that are concerning them.

Head pressure and dizziness: Causes, treatment, and more

A feeling of pressure in the head or behind the eyes, along with dizziness, can occur with some types of headache. The symptoms may worsen if a person changes position. Some conditions, such as sinusitis, can cause both a headache and dizziness.

Head pressure and dizziness can often occur due to migraine. Any chronic or very severe and sudden symptoms may warn of a serious underlying condition.

It is important to note that there are four types of dizziness:

• Vertigo: A person experiences a sensation that they are moving when they are still or feels as though they are spinning.
• Disequilibrium: A person feels wobbly or off-balance.
• Presyncope: A person feels as though they are passing out.
• Lightheadedness: A person feels vague, as if they are losing connection with their environment.

A person might be able to identify which type of dizziness they feel, which could help a doctor diagnose the cause accurately.

This article will list some possible causes of head pressure and dizziness occurring together. It will also cover some treatment options for each one and explain when a person should contact a doctor.

However, these are not the only possible causes of head pressure and dizziness. A person should contact a doctor to receive a full examination and the correct diagnosis.

Seasonal allergies, which doctors sometimes call allergic rhinitis, can cause feelings of pressure in the head and sinuses.

Some people also experience symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, a sore throat, and a general feeling of being unwell. Any of these symptoms can lead to dizziness, especially if a person feels very congested or develops sinusitis.

How to treat allergies

A number of treatments can help ease the symptoms of allergies. The first is avoiding allergens by staying indoors more often during allergy season or using an air filter. Some people also find that wearing masks helps ease allergy symptoms.

Taking allergy medications can also ease symptoms. Immunotherapy, which exposes a person to very small quantities of the allergen to stop their body from overreacting to it, can also be helpful. People who are interested in a permanent solution to allergies could ask a doctor about immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots.

Learn more about allergy medications here.

A headache that results from sinusitis can cause feelings of pressure in the head, especially near the front of the face and under the eyes. This happens because fluid builds up in the sinuses, generally due to an infection.

Some people also get dizzy, feel sick, or have lower energy levels.

How to treat sinusitis

Applying heated pads or warm compresses to the face may help. Some people may also find relief by taking allergy medications or over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.

Antibiotics can treat some sinus infections, but only if they are due to bacteria. They cannot help with viral infections.

Some people may develop a chronic form of sinusitis that may require a consultation with a specialist.

Learn about home remedies to ease sinus pressure here.

Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which is just past the eardrum. These infections are common among children. Sometimes, an ear infection follows another illness, such as a sinus infection or the flu.

The middle ear makes fluid itself to keep itself clean. This fluid should drain into the throat through an opening. However, if the throat becomes swollen, the opening swells shut. Therefore, the fluid collects, which can be painful. It may then become infected.

Symptoms may come on suddenly, and most people develop a fever. A person may also have pressure in the head, ringing in the ears, or dizziness.

How to treat an ear infection

Lying down with the ear that hurts facing up, with a heated pad on top, may help relieve the pain of an ear infection. This is because gravity helps the fluid from the ear drain into the throat. Also, the heat from the pad helps keep the drainage site open.

Taking OTC pain relievers can also help ease the symptoms.

Antibiotics may help treat middle ear infections, especially in young children and people with weak immune systems. However, draining the ear by lying on the correct side will help stop the condition from recurring and prevent a ruptured eardrum, which could happen due to fluid buildup.

Learn more about how to treat ear infections here.

Migraine is a neurological type of headache that happens when changes in the brain cause head pain and other unusual sensations.

Some people experience migraine as head pressure along with other neurological symptoms, such as:

• dizziness
• sensitivity to light
• vomiting
• hearing unusual sounds
• seeing unusual lights

How to treat a migraine headache

Taking pain relievers may help ease a migraine headache, but people experiencing chronic migraine headaches should contact a doctor. They can prescribe medications to prevent migraine headaches and rule out other conditions.

The doctor may also recommend keeping a log of headaches to help with identifying potential triggers.

Learn about migraine triggers and how to avoid them here.

A tension headache happens when muscle tension radiates to the head. A person may also experience shoulder or neck pain.

Tension headaches tend to come on slowly, getting worse over time and causing pain throughout the head and sometimes a feeling of pressure. Very bad tension headaches can also make a person feel dizzy.

How to treat a tension headache

Some people may find relief from tension headaches by applying hot or cold packs to the neck or head or by taking OTC headache medications.

Chronic tension headaches occur when a person experiences a tension headache for 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months. They sometimes happen when a person has underlying muscle issues, sits at a computer all day, or has chronic stress. A doctor may be able to identify strategies for dealing with these issues.

Learn about 19 natural remedies for headaches here.

High blood pressure, especially a sudden shift in blood pressure, may cause pain and pressure in the head, as well as dizziness.

Any type of pain, including that associated with headaches, may also cause high blood pressure. However, in this case, relieving the headache may not lead to lower blood pressure.

How to treat high blood pressure

It is important to talk with a doctor about high blood pressure, as making behavioral changes and taking medications, such as beta-blockers, can help.

A person may find that managing stress or eating less salt can also help lower their blood pressure.

A home blood pressure reading with a systolic (top) number above 180 or a diastolic (bottom) number above 120 warrants a 911 call or a trip to the emergency room.

Learn about 15 ways to naturally lower blood pressure here.

When a person has intracranial hypertension, it means that there is higher pressure from the fluid that cushions the brain. This can happen for many reasons, including:

• a serious head injury
• a stroke
• an infection or growth in the brain, including a brain tumor

A person may experience a chronic throbbing headache or neurological symptoms such as vision issues or difficulty concentrating. If this is the case, a person should contact a doctor, as these symptoms can be life threatening.

Some people develop intracranial hypertension for no clear reason. Doctors call this idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Making certain lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, may help with IIH.

Learn more about increased intracranial pressure here.

A person should contact a doctor if they:

• have an ear infection or ear pain that gets worse or does not improve within a few days
• have a headache that lasts longer than a day or have frequent headaches
• have severe allergies
• think that they may have migraine headaches
• have headaches that affect their mental health or daily functioning

A person should go to the emergency room if they experience any of the following:

• a sudden, unexplained, very severe headache that makes it impossible to do anything else, along with other symptoms, such as nausea or tingling
• stroke symptoms, such as numbness on one side of the body or a drooping face
• loss of consciousness, a feeling of being very well, or a worry that their headache is an emergency

Some other symptoms a person might notice with a headache and dizziness include:

• nausea
• fatigue
• a fever
• congestion or face pain
• sneezing
• panic or anxiety

The following symptoms can also occur, but they are more likely to signal an emergency:

• numbness on one side of the body
• confusion
• blurry vision
• high blood pressure

When a headache or dizziness lasts for a long time, it is more likely that a person has a chronic or serious condition, such as migraine, head pressure from a tumor or infection, or a brain injury.

A person should avoid self-diagnosing and contact a doctor if they are concerned.

Learn more about persistent headaches here.

Some people develop may headaches or dizziness after eating. This does not necessarily mean that food caused the symptoms, so it is important to look at other factors.

Sometimes, however, food poisoning, food sensitivities, and even overeating may cause dizziness and headaches, as well as stomach pain.

A person may also develop a headache after eating sugar.

Learn more about sugar headaches here.

Headaches can be very painful, but they are usually harmless. In most cases, a person can manage the symptoms at home.

When the headache is intense or lasts a long time, however, it is important to contact a doctor. Receiving early treatment can improve the outlook even for very serious illnesses.

A person should avoid self-diagnosing and instead seek an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for symptoms of any severity that are concerning them.

What diseases can cause a headache?

Yulia Vladimirovna Vostretsova, anesthesiologist-resuscitator, specialist in pain treatment of the Department of Treatment of Patients with Chronic Pain Syndromes of City Clinical Hospital No. 52

Tells Secondary headache is a symptom of some underlying disease.
With secondary headaches, the main task is to treat the underlying disease, since if it is successful, this also has a positive effect on the symptom of headache – it either stops completely or at least greatly decreases.

Headache associated with brain tumors

Contrary to popular belief, headache is not a common symptom of a brain tumor. Only 30% of patients with a diagnosed tumor complain of headache at the initial appointment, and only 1-2% of patients have headache as the only symptom of the tumor.

This pain is often accompanied by other neurological symptoms, aggravated by exertion or changes in body position, and causes nocturnal awakenings. However, such symptoms can also be with primary headaches, such as cluster headache and migraine, which we talked about in the previous article.

Vomiting a week before the onset of headache may be a sign of a posterior fossa mass, as can pain from coughing, lifting heavy objects, or bending over. The appearance of discharge from the nipples or amenorrhea in itself should alert the doctor and the patient, and in combination with a headache should suggest such diseases as polycystic ovary syndrome or prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma. In patients with an already confirmed oncological diagnosis, a new headache requires the exclusion of brain metastases or carcinomatous meningitis.

Headache associated with vascular disease

Subarachnoid haemorrhage – “the most terrible pain imaginable”, a thunderous headache. Accompanied by stiff neck muscles at normal body temperature. Approximately 25% of all thunderclap headache cases are associated with subarachnoid bleeding. However, in 50% of patients with hemorrhages, the headache may be milder. The main features of headache associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage are localization in the occipital region, a piercing character, an ultra-rapid increase in pain intensity, and meningeal signs.

Isolated headache may be a symptom of a ruptured aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, or intracerebral hemorrhage. Aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery can be manifested by double vision, absence or decrease in the reaction of the icon to light, loss of focus, divergent strabismus, anterior communicating artery – weakness of both lower extremities, middle cerebral artery – weakness in the limbs on one side. A sharp increase in intracranial pressure in the posterior cranial fossa can lead to limited eyeball mobility, strabismus, double vision, nystagmus, dizziness, and loss of balance. In the presence of the above symptoms and suspicion of subarachnoid hemorrhage, CT without contrast and lumbar puncture are performed, if necessary, MR or CT angiography.

Arterial dissection

Headache occurs in most cases of dissections (dissections) of the carotid artery – it is unilateral and intense, often accompanied by pain in the face and neck on the same side, the occurrence of Horner’s syndrome (drooping of the eyelid, pupillary constriction, exophthalmos).

Stroke

In ischemic stroke, headache occurs in only 27% of cases. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical symptoms, which vary depending on the location of the stroke. It must be borne in mind that migraine with aura increases the risk of stroke.

Thrombosis of the venous sinus

This is a rather rare pathology in which headache is present in 90% of cases. Other symptoms are altered consciousness and papilledema. Risk factors include female gender, pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as taking estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Characterized by recurrent attacks of very high intensity headache with sudden onset and rapid peaking (thunder headache). Angiography visualizes vasoconstriction (narrowing) of the arteries of the brain, which resolves within the next 3 months. The cause of this pathology is not fully understood, however, it is known that certain substances, such as marijuana, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide, as well as some drugs from the group of antidepressants, can be triggers. The incidence is also higher in the postpartum period. Headache is usually bilateral with attacks lasting 1 to 3 hours recurring over several weeks. Approximately 40% of patients experience nausea, vomiting, and neurological deficits. This condition is transient and requires symptomatic treatment.

Arterial hypertension

More often develops with an increase in systolic pressure up to 180 mm Hg. Art. or diastolic up to 120 mm Hg. Art. This type of headache usually worsens with increasing pressure and decreases with decreasing pressure. The pain is usually bilateral or diffuse, may be throbbing and worse with physical activity.

Headache due to heart disease

It is known that myocardial ischemia may also be accompanied by headache. A characteristic feature of such pain is its reduction against the background of resolution of ischemia (with the introduction of nitroglycerin, etc.).

Headache associated with systemic diseases

Giant cell arteritis

Headache, which first appeared in a patient after 50 years of age and is accompanied by a weakening of the temporal artery pulsation, should suggest giant cell arteritis.

This is a systemic vascular disease with a predominant lesion of the extracranial arteries of medium and large caliber. The disease begins acutely or subacutely with general weakness, subfebrile temperature, night sweats, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, pain in muscles and joints. Headache is the most characteristic symptom of temporal arteritis. It is localized more often in the temporal region, sometimes in the frontal and parietal regions of the head, less often in the occipital region (in case of involvement of the occipital artery).

The spread of the process to the arteries of the face is accompanied by the appearance of acute spontaneous facial pains or a kind of “intermittent claudication” syndrome, that is, pain in the masticatory muscles and tongue when eating and talking. This symptom is pathognomonic for temporal arteritis. Many patients develop visual impairment that can lead to complete blindness. The cause of blindness is either ischemic damage to the optic nerve with damage to the ophthalmic and posterior ciliary arteries, or blockage of the central retinal artery. Laboratory revealed an increase in CRP and ESR. This diagnosis can be accurately confirmed only after a biopsy of the temporal muscle.

Tholos-Hunt Syndrome

The syndrome is characterized by intense unilateral headache, accompanied by impaired movement of the eyeball, attacks occur every few months or even years. Most often, people over 40 years of age are affected. The pathogenesis is associated with non-specific inflammation in the cavernous sinus of the superior palpebral fissure or orbital cavity. Violation or complete absence of movement of the eyeball occurs as a result of granulomatous inflammation of the cranial nerves. The main clinical manifestations are acute unilateral pain in the eye area, the appearance of double vision.

Headache associated with infection

It is not worth dwelling on this point in detail, since so many infectious diseases can be accompanied by headache. With a very high intensity headache accompanied by neck stiffness and other meningeal symptoms, it is important to perform the necessary examinations in time and start treatment.

Post-traumatic headache

Headache occurs in 70-90% of head injuries. It can be considered post-traumatic if it occurs within 7 days after the injury or 7 days after the recovery of consciousness and the withdrawal of painkillers. The pain phenotype can be variable, often migraine or tension-type headache, and may be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and insomnia.

Pain after craniotomy

This pain also occurs within 7 days after surgery and usually regresses over the next 3 months. In some cases, headache can become chronic. As risk factors for chronicity, the patient has a history of primary headaches, as well as surgical interventions in the suboccipital region.

Headache associated with diseases of the eyes, nose, ear, sinuses and other craniofacial structures

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is a form of pathology in which fluid accumulates inside the eye due to lack of access to the drainage system (the iris covers the anterior chamber angle). The result is an increase in intraocular pressure, which can lead to an acute pain attack. An attack of angle-closure glaucoma can be similar to migraine, as it is a unilateral pain in the eye area, accompanied by nausea/vomiting, photophobia, visual disturbances in the form of blurred visual images and iridescent halos around the light spot. When examined during an attack, redness of the conjunctiva and a moderately dilated pupil are noted. Between attacks, the appearance of the eyeball and intraocular pressure are usually normal. Seizure triggers are often: a sudden change in lighting, prolonged reading, as well as certain drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants, topiramate, acetazolamide, etc. An ophthalmologist will help establish the diagnosis.

Trochleitis

Trochleitis is an inflammation of the oblique muscle of the eye. The pain most often occurs in the inner corner or above the eyeball and can spread to the entire half of the head. The pain increases with eye movement, the paraorbital region is painful on palpation. Lachrymation and nasal discharge are usually absent. Some patients may experience diplopia. The cause of trochleitis is often unknown (idiopathic trochleitis), but most commonly occurs in patients with rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, enteropathic arthropathy, and psoriasis.

Rhinosinusitis

The symptoms of rhinosinusitis are familiar to many. Rhinosinusitis can be both an independent cause of headache, and can exacerbate the primary headache. The diagnosis is made on the basis of X-ray diagnostics by an ENT doctor. Usually this pain is preceded by an infectious disease with rhinorrhea and nasal congestion.

Headache associated with pathology of the temporomandibular joint

Joint dysfunction can be caused by trauma, joint asymmetry, disc displacement, joint hypermobility, osteoarthritis. The headache associated with this pathology usually corresponds to the side of the affected joint, but may be bilateral if the muscles are involved in the pathological process. Pain occurs in the projection of the joint and the periarticular region and has the character of a pulling, aching, pulsating or acute pain that can radiate to the ear, temporal or parietal region. Pain can also occur at rest, but is often provoked by chewing or simply by movement in the temporomandibular joint.

Ask for help!

Headache must not be ignored! A specialist in the pain treatment clinic is called upon to deal with the probable causes of its appearance. After a detailed neurological examination, an additional examination may be prescribed to clarify the underlying disease, the symptom of which is pain in the head. Our pain treatment clinic uses a variety of treatment methods – which one can help a particular patient, the doctor will decide at an in-person consultation.

Read the previous material here

Headache – causes, examination and treatment | Symptoms

Cluster headache
Signs: Severe, piercing pain that affects one part of the head and is concentrated in the periocular region, usually lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour, often occurs at the same time of day, occurs in clusters and is separated by intervals with no headache at all, is usually not aggravated by exposure to light, sounds or smells and is not accompanied by vomiting. Inability to lie down and restlessness. On the part of the manifestation of pain: runny nose, lacrimation, drooping eyelid (Bernard-Horner syndrome) and sometimes swelling under the eye.

Migraine headache
Signs: Moderate to severe headache, usually throbbing, unilateral and bilateral, lasting hours to days, may be caused by lack of sleep, head trauma, hunger, or consumption of certain wines and foods, may be aggravated by physical activity and relieved by sleep, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, and/or smells, including possible mood changes, loss of appetite, and nausea, sometimes preceded temporary disturbances in sensation, balance, muscle coordination, speech or vision (seeing flashes or blind spots).

Tension headache
Signs: Usually mild to moderate headache that feels like a hoop on the head and starts in the front of the head or around the eyes, affects the entire head, lasts for 30 minutes to several days, may worsen at the end of the day, is not aggravated by exercise, light, sounds or smells, is not accompanied by nausea, vomiting or other symptoms.

Altitude sickness
Signs: Dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness, irritability, or trouble sleeping. People who have recently climbed to high altitudes (including those who have been in an airplane for 6 hours or longer).

Brain tumor, abscess or other neoplasm in the brain
Signs: Mild to severe headache that may get progressively worse, usually comes on more frequently and eventually becomes constant without signs of relief, may cause blurred vision with a sudden change in body position, may be accompanied by clumsiness, weakness, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or blurred vision.

Carbon monoxide exposure
Signs: Possible unawareness of exposure as carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless.

Dental infection (upper teeth)
Signs: Pain, which is usually felt in the facial region and is mainly one-sided, aggravated by chewing, toothache.

Encephalitis (brain infection)
Signs: Headaches with variable characteristics. Often accompanied by fever, increased drowsiness, confusion, agitation, weakness and/or poor coordination. Convulsive seizures and coma.

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
Signs: Unilateral throbbing pain in the temporal part of the head. Pain when combing hair or while chewing. Sometimes enlarged arteries in the temples (temporal arteries) and aching and dull pain, especially in the shoulders, hips, and pelvis. Vision may be impaired or lost, and is more common in people over the age of 55.

Glaucoma (angle-closure glaucoma)
Signs: Moderate to severe pain that occurs in the front of the head or in the ocular or supraocular region. Redness of the eyes, iridescent circles around light sources, nausea, vomiting, and loss of vision.

Head injury (post-concussion syndrome)
Signs: Headache begins immediately or shortly after a head injury (with or without loss of consciousness). Sometimes memory lapses, personality changes, or both.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (increased intracranial pressure)
Signs: Headaches that occur daily or almost daily with fluctuating intensity, affecting both sides of the head, sometimes double vision or blurred vision, nausea, or ringing in the ears in rhythm with the beats of the pulse (throbbing tinnitus).

Cerebral hemorrhage
Signs: Mild or severe pain that starts suddenly, occurs on one or both sides of the head, is often accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting. Possible severe drowsiness, clumsiness, weakness, difficulty speaking and understanding speech, loss of vision, loss of sensation or disorientation, occasionally seizures or coma.

Headache associated with low blood pressure (due to removal or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid)
Signs: Intense headaches, often accompanied by neck stiffness and nausea. Pain that gets worse when the person is sitting or standing and gets better when the person lies down. It usually occurs after a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is performed.

Medicine overuse headache
Signs: Chronic and often daily headaches. Often with migraine or tension headaches

Meningitis
Signs: Severe, persistent headache. fever, stiff neck, in connection with which it is painful to lower the chin to the chest, sometimes it is impossible. Malaise, drowsiness, nausea or vomiting.

Sinusitis
Signs: Pain, which is sometimes felt in the face, front of the head, or like a toothache, may start suddenly and last for days or hours, or start gradually and become persistent. Runny nose, sometimes with pus or blood, malaise, cough at night, and often fever.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding between the inner and middle layers of tissues covering the brain)
Symptoms: Severe, persistent pain that starts suddenly and reaches its maximum intensity within a few seconds is often described as the worst headache ever experienced. There may be a brief loss of consciousness at the onset of the headache, and there may be drowsiness, confusion, difficulty waking up, or coma. Stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and back pain.

Subdural hematoma (accumulation of blood between the outer and middle layer of tissue covering the brain)
Signs: Headaches with variable characteristics. Drowsiness, confusion, forgetfulness, and/or weakness or paralysis on one side of the body may occur.

Diseases of the temporomandibular joint
Signs: Pain when chewing solid foods. Sometimes pain in the jaw or nearby area or in the neck, sometimes clicking or cracking when opening the mouth, blocking the position of the jaw, or difficulty opening the mouth wide.