10, March 2025

From Tension to Migraines: 14 Headache Types & Effective Treatments

Headaches can be classified as primary or secondary, and these headaches are further classified in numerous types. The cause of primary headaches is unclear whereas secondary headaches happen due to underlying conditions. Understanding the cause of headache is essential to its treatment. By describing your discomfort and symptoms to your doctor, you can get the right diagnosis. You may experience migraine on any side of your head, either right or left. In contrast, you will usually experience pain behind your eyes that is related to your sinuses. Both the top and back of the head may pain due to tension headaches. In the Indian population, headaches are common.

Headache can be characterised by pressure, throbbing, a persistent soreness, or even acute pain. It can differ in the type, intensity, location, and frequency. Many individuals are unaware of how complex headaches can be. Different types require different treatments, have different symptoms, and occur due to distinct reasons.

Once you and your doctor have determined the type of headache you have, you can take actions to prevent it or find the most effective treatment options. Continue reading to find out various types of headaches, their signs, and simple care tips.

What are 14 Headache Types of Headaches?

Although there are more than 150 different kinds of headaches, the following are the most common types:

1. Tension Headache

Tension headaches are the most prevalent headache type that affects both adults and adolescents. They cause mild to moderate pain that varies over time. They normally show no other symptoms.

2. Migraine

Migraine headaches are characterised by pounding or throbbing type of pain. These headaches usually happen one to four times per month and can last anywhere from four hours to three days. When a child gets a migraine, they may appear pale, disoriented, and experience hazy vision, fever, and stomach discomfort. Some may experience stomach symptoms such as vomiting.

3. Cluster Headache

These are the most awful headaches. One or both of your eyes may be in excruciating discomfort, either burning or piercing. You may experience throbbing pain or be ongoing. Cluster headache patients often pace during attacks because the pain can be so excruciating that they are unable to remain still. On the side of the pain, the eye may tear up, the pupil may shrink, the eye may redden, or the eyelid may droop. You may experience stuffing and running of that side of the nostril. Cluster headaches get their name from the fact that they usually arise in clusters.

4. Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches cause intense and chronic pain in your cheeks, forehead, or on the bridge of your nose. Such pain appears when sinuses (cavities) in your head become inflamed. Other sinus symptoms that may accompany the pain include a runny nose, ear fullness, fever, and a bloated face. A real sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection, thus the crap coming out of your nose will be yellow or green, as opposed to the clear discharge seen with cluster or migraine headaches.

5. Pneumatic Headache

Posttraumatic stress headaches typically appear two to three days after a head injury. Headaches sometimes persist for several months. However, if it doesn't improve after a few weeks, contact your doctor.

6. Exercise Headache

Your blood vessels enlarge to provide the increased blood demand during the activity of head, neck, and scalp muscles. As a result, you may experience pulsing pain on both sides of your head for five minutes to 48 hours. It usually happens after or shortly after physical exertion, such as exercise or sexual activity.

7. Hemicrania Contínua

It is a persistent, chronic headache that typically affects the same side of the head and face.

8. Hormone Headache

Hormone fluctuations during menopause, pregnancy, and periods can cause headaches. Headaches can also be brought on by hormone fluctuations from hormone replacement treatment and birth control preparations. Menstrual migraines are those that occur two days prior to or within the first three days following the onset of your period.

9. New daily persistent headaches (NDPH)

These can begin abruptly and last for three months or more. Many folks can still clearly recall the first day of their pain. The actual cause of this headache is unknown but some people report such headaches following a stressful event, surgery, flu-like illness, or infection. Although the pain is usually mild, some people may experience extreme pain. Symptoms can differ greatly. Some resemble headaches caused by tension. Others have similar migraine symptoms, like light sensitivity or nausea.

10. Rebound Headache

These may also be referred to as medicine-overuse-headaches. You're putting yourself at risk for more pain if you take an OTC or prescription pain reliever more than twice or three times per week or more than ten days per month. The pain returns after the medication wears off, and you need to take more to stop it. It is characterised by dull, persistent headaches that may get worse in the morning.

11. Ice Pick Headache

These quick, stabbing, strong headaches typically last for only a few seconds. Mostly, you may experience it a few times every day. If you have one, see your doctor. Ice pick headaches can be a standalone condition or an indication of a larger issue.

12. Spinal headaches

Consult your doctor if you experience a headache following a spinal tap, spinal block, or epidural. Your doctor may refer to it as a puncture headache because these procedures require breaching the membrane that surrounds your spinal cord. If spinal fluid seeps through the puncture site, a headache may develop.

13. Thunderclap headaches

People typically refer to this as the worst headache of their lives. It appears out of nowhere and increases in intensity rapidly.

14. Caffeine Withdrawal Headaches

A caffeine withdrawal headache may occur if you drink coffee every day at a specific time and then skip it. You may experience a throbbing headache due to that.

Conclusion

There are numerous reasons for headaches, including stress, sickness, environmental factors, heredity, changes in sleep habits, and what you consume. Proper diagnosis entails documenting symptoms and triggers to determine the type of headache and the best treatment. To avoid a headache, you may need to make lifestyle adjustments, use stress management strategies, and avoid recognised triggers.

These are 14 common types of headaches. Find relief today—explore right solutions from our expert neurologists at IBS Hospital. Book your consultation now!

FAQs

Q1: How can I differentiate between a tension headache and a migraine?
A: Tension headaches cause dull, aching pain around the head, while migraines are intense, throbbing headaches often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances.

Q2: What triggers migraines?
A: Common triggers include stress, dehydration, hormonal changes, certain foods (like caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods), bright lights, and lack of sleep.

Q3: How are cluster headaches different from other types?
A: Cluster headaches are severe, occur in cycles, and cause sharp, burning pain around one eye, often with tearing and nasal congestion.

By -Dr Aaksha Shukla | March 10, 2025 | 9 Min Read