Nearly everyone gets headaches. Headache is the most common form of pain, and a major reason people miss work or school or see a doctor.
Types
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tension headache | the most common kind — from tight muscles in the shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw |
| Migraine | another common type |
| Cluster headache | another common type |
| Sinus headache | another common type |
What makes tension headaches more likely
Tension headaches are often linked to stress, depression or anxiety. You're more likely to get them if you:
- work too much
- don't sleep enough
- skip meals
- drink alcohol
Feeling better
Most people improve with a mix of lifestyle changes, ways to relax and pain relievers. Not every headache needs a doctor — but sometimes a headache is a warning of a more serious disorder. Tell your health care provider if you get sudden, severe headaches.
Get medical help right away if you have a headache
- after a blow to the head, or
- together with any of these:
| a stiff neck | fever |
| confusion | loss of consciousness |
| pain in the eye or ear |
Sources
Based on "Headache," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, with a summary from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH); a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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