Headaches

Topic Overview

Headaches are one of the most common pain-related health problems in both children and adults. You may have a headache along with another minor health problem such as a sore throat, cold, or sinus problem.

Types of headaches

The most common types of headaches usually are not serious but may occur again and again.

• Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are often caused by stress and emotional strain. Most adults have tension headaches from time to time. See an illustration of possible areas of pain from a tension headache.
• Cluster headaches
• Migraine headaches. Approximately one-third of people who have migraine headaches first began having them as teenagers.

Common causes of headaches

Common causes of headaches include:

• Alcohol, caffeine, or other drug use or withdrawal.
• Changes in the levels of chemicals in the body (neurotransmitters).
• Coughing or sneezing.
• Dehydration.
• Dental problems or procedures, such as pain from grinding the teeth or from a root canal.
• Eating or drinking cold foods and fluids.
• Emotional stress.
• Exposure to smoke or fumes from chemicals, including carbon monoxide.
• Eyestrain.
• Fever.
• High altitude. Lower oxygen levels at high altitudes can cause headaches.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Infection in the sinuses , such as sinusitis or an abscess.
• Medical procedures, such as the aftereffects of a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
• Medicines. Many medicines can cause headaches.
• Muscle strain in the neck, upper back, or shoulder muscles.
• Upper respiratory infections.

Headaches with other serious symptoms

Although rare, a headache may be a sign of a serious illness. Other symptoms, such as vomiting, dizziness, or changes in vision, may also be present. The following serious illnesses or injuries can cause headaches.

• A head injury:
  • Injury to the brain
  • Fracture of the skull
  • Bleeding in or around the brain
• Brain tumor, which causes swelling within the brain.
• Infection in the brain (encephalitis) or of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
• Stroke, a problem that occurs when a blood vessel (artery) that supplies blood to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot.
• A rupture of a blood vessel with bleeding in or around the brain (aneurysm)

Headaches and other health conditions

Other health conditions that can cause or contribute to headaches include:

• Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread muscle and soft tissue pain and tenderness.
• Glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the nerves at the back of the eye.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Inflammatory problems , such as arthritis, lupus, or giant cell arteritis.
• Kidney disease, which causes wastes to build up in the blood.
• Low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia) or overactivity of the gland that helps control the release of calcium into the blood (hyperparathyroidism).
• Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by certain types of ticks.
• Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
• Problems with pregnancy, such as severe high blood pressure (preeclampsia).
• Sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleep apnea.
• Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a doctor.

	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated July 12, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.