Doesn’t respond to many medications. It’s essential to rule out secondary causes of headaches (infections, brain tumors, CSF leaks or vascular issues). Treatment revolves around finding a suitable combination of both medical and behavioral management.
Unknown but may be due to an underlying inflammatory process
Starts suddenly (can pinpoint precisely when) as a headache never experienced before
Constant, mild to moderate, both sides
of head
May have migraine features when severe
New daily persistent headaches
CAUSES >
TREATMENT >
Prescription medication
and oxygen
Believed to be due to chemical reactions in the brain
Most severe type, intense burning or piercing, throbbing or constant behind
one eye
Most sufferers can’t sit still and often pace during an attack
Occur 1-3x/day during a “cluster period,” which may last 2 weeks-3 months
Accompanied by teary or droopy eye and runny nose
Cluster (least common)
CAUSES >
TREATMENT >
Often successfully treated with over-the-counter (sometimes prescription) medications, relaxation training or biofeedback
Temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue, sleep deprivation or anger
Mild to moderate, non-throbbing, on both sides of head
Starts in forehead, temples or the back of head and neck
Doesn’t usually get worse with routine activity (bending over, walking upstairs) or laying down
Can last anywhere from 30 minutes
to several days
Tension-type (most common)
CAUSES >
TREATMENT >
Over-the-counter medications (for mild migraine), prescription (abortive and/or preventative) medications, herbal/vitamin therapy, relaxation training, biofeedback, acupuncture and Botox injections
Changes in the brain’s chemical and blood vessel activity
Weather changes, hormones, certain foods
TREATMENT >
TRIGGERS >
CAUSES >
Moderate to severe, pounding or throbbing, often one-sided (but can be both sides
at times)
Accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light/noise/sounds
Sometimes associated with neck pain
Affects women more than men
Lasts 4 hours - 3 days
Migraine (2nd most common)
TENSION >
TENSION >
MIGRAINE >
MIGRAINE >
CLUSTER >
CLUSTER >
NEW DAILY >
NEW DAILY >
©2017 Cleveland Clinic
Choose one:
& Where They Hurt
4 COMMON HEADACHES
