What is a headache?

A headache is pain experienced in any part of your head. It is a common condition, and most people will have at least one in their lifetime. Headaches can affect males and females of any age.

In most cases, a headache is unpleasant but not a cause for concern. Sometimes it can be a symptom of a serious illness.

There are many different types and causes of headache. You may need to see a doctor to work out what type of headache you have.

What symptoms are related to headaches?

There are many different types of headaches, and they can feel quite different to each other. Here are symptoms of some common types.

Tension-type headache

Tension-type headache is one of the most common forms of headache. The pain is usually on both sides of your head and feels dull or tight. It can last between 30 minutes and 7 days.

Migraine

Migraine is when you have a headache, as well as other symptoms such as:

• nausea
• vomiting
• sensitivity to light or noise

Migraines usually happen more than once. The pain is usually throbbing, you feel it on one side of your head, and can last hours or days.

Some people experience other symptoms before or during a migraine attack such as:

• visual aura (flashes of light, blind spots, or seeing 'zig zag' patterns)
• changes in vision
• problems with speech
• 'pins and needles' (a numb, tingling feeling) in your arms and legs

Cluster headache

Cluster headaches are a rare type of headache that has intense pain as a core symptom. They generally occur in groups or 'clusters' of attacks. The pain is usually behind one eye and feels stabbing or burning. You might also have:

• a runny nose
• a red eye with watery discharge
• a droopy or swollen eyelid

Cluster headaches can last up to 3 hours and may happen a few times a day.

Sinus headache

Sinus problems can cause headache from pressure in your forehead or cheekbones, on one side or both sides of your face. These areas might feel sore if you press on them or bend forward.

You may also have symptoms of a sinus infection such as:

• sore teeth
• a blocked or runny nose
• a cough

Alcohol headache

Headaches due to drinking alcohol cause throbbing pain that gets worse with exercise.

Dehydration headache

Headaches due to dehydration cause pain all over your head.

Altitude headache

Altitude headaches are an intense, throbbing pain that is all over your head or in your forehead. It is also known as 'mountain sickness', but can happen with any change of altitude, for example with air travel or scuba diving.

Mountain climbing can cause pain all over your head that gets worse with exercise. Diving can cause headache with dizziness, trouble breathing or confusion. Flying in a plane can cause pain in one side of your forehead.

Sleep apnoea headache

Sleep apnoea can cause headaches when you wake up in the morning. You usually feel a sleep apnoea headache on both sides of your head and on most days of the week.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes headaches?

Headaches can be primary (when they happen on their own, and not as a result of another health problem) or secondary (resulting from another health problem).

Primary headaches

Sometimes primary headaches can be triggered by your diet, such as:

• alcohol, especially red wine
• certain foods, such as cheese, citrus fruits, processed meats and foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• large amounts of caffeine
• skipping meals, especially breakfast
• not drinking enough water

Other common triggers include:

• too much or too little sleep
• bad posture
• stress (or relaxing after stress)
• too much screen use
• bright lights, strong smells or loud noises
• sexual intercourse
• hormonal changes (in females)

Secondary headaches

Common causes of secondary headaches include:

• acute or chronic sinus infections
• eye strain
• dental problems
• middle ear infections
• side effects of some medicines
• substance withdrawal (alcohol, caffeine and some medicines)
• dehydration

Potentially serious health problems that can cause secondary headaches include:

• aneurysms
• high blood pressure inside your skull
• glaucoma
• brain tumours
• head injuries
• meningitis
• stroke

How is the cause of a headache diagnosed?

Your doctor can often diagnose your headache type by talking to you about your symptoms and examining you.

It's helpful to keep a headache diary in the weeks leading up to your appointment. It can help you track when you get headaches, how often, and what might trigger them. You can find diaries and apps to record your headaches on the Migraine and Headache Australia website.

Your diary should record:

• the number of days you have a headache
• how severe your headache is
• any other symptoms associated with your headache
• any potential triggers

It is important you let your doctor know how your headache affects your daily activities and the impact it has on your family, work and activities.

In most cases, there's no need for tests to diagnose headaches. If your doctor thinks there might be another health problem causing your headaches, they may ask you to have:

• an eye check with your optometrist
• blood tests
• a CT or MRI scan of your head
• a lumbar puncture

Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist — a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if your headaches occur frequently and prevent you from doing the things you normally can do. You should also see your doctor if you take pain medicine for headaches often during a week.

If you have already been diagnosed with a certain type of headache, see your doctor again if your headaches become different or more severe.

You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you have any new type of headache and have:

• cancer
• a weakened immune system
• a family history of glaucoma

When to seek urgent care

In some cases, headaches can be a symptom of something more serious. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have a:

• severe headache that begins suddenly
• headache that gets progressively worse over the course of several weeks
• morning headache with nausea that doesn't go away
• headache that starts after an injury to your head
• headache that wakes you up when you're asleep
• headache that gets worse when you are lying down
• headache that starts when you cough

If you are pregnant and have a headache that begins suddenly or is different to your past headaches, speak to your doctor.

Go immediately to your nearest hospital emergency department if you have a headache with:

• fever and vomiting
• confusion or a change in personality
• neck stiffness
• blurred or double vision
• loss of balance
• a seizure

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How are headaches treated?

While there is no complete cure for a headache, there are helpful treatment options available to reduce the pain. If your headache is caused by a particular trigger, try to remove that trigger from your environment.

Self-care at home

If your headaches are mild and don't happen often, it may help to try:

• lying down in a dark, quiet room
• sleeping
• placing a cold or warm cloth on the back of your neck or on your forehead
• taking a walk outside in fresh air or do some exercise
• having a drink of water
• stretching your neck muscles

Medicines for headaches

Many headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain relief medicines. These include paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. Note that aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new over-the-counter medicine.

If you have frequent or severe headaches, your doctor may prescribe other medicines that can help such as a low dose of an antidepressant or anti-nausea medicines.

A type of medicine called triptans can also help with migraines. Learn more about medicines for headaches here.

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? — To search by brand name or active ingredient, use the Medicines information search feature.

Other treatment options

You may need to try a few different treatments before finding what works best for your headaches. Speak to your doctor about new treatment options. As well as medicines and self-care, other treatment options include:

• relieving stress
• avoiding triggers
• neck exercises and massage
• acupuncture

What are the complications of headaches?

Using pain medicines too often can cause 'medication overuse headache'. This feels similar to a tension-type headache or a migraine. Your doctor or pharmacist can guide you on how to use your pain medicines safely.

Can headaches be prevented?

Lifestyle changes can help you avoid triggers and prevent headaches. You might want to try:

• eating healthy food and avoiding any trigger foods you have identified
• drinking enough water
• working on good posture
• exercising regularly
• techniques for managing your stress
• getting the right amount of sleep every night
• limiting alcohol and caffeine

There are also several preventive medicines and other treatments available. If you get headaches often, ask your doctor about whether these may be appropriate for you.

Resources and support

Visit Migraine & Headache Australia to learn more about headache. You can also find resources for keeping a headache diary or join an online support group.

Check out the ANZ Headache Society for a printable headache diary, a list of doctors who specialise in treating headache and helpful tips.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

The Pain Management Network has translated resources in many community languages.