There are different types of headaches, which arise from various causes. In most cases, they do not represent a serious health problem, but in others, they may require medical attention.
Headache, or cephalgia, is a sensation of discomfort or pain that can occur in any part of the head and may vary in intensity, duration, or frequency, ranging from mild and temporary episodes to severe and chronic ones.
Headache itself is not a disease but a symptom that can be due to multiple causes and, in medical terms, is classified into two categories:
- Primary headaches: headaches that are not caused by an underlying disease.
- Secondary headaches: headaches that result from another medical problem.
Types of headaches and causes
The types of headaches and their causes help classify them, which is essential for determining the proper treatment. The most common types of headaches include:
- Tension headache: the most common type, described as constant pressure around the head, similar to wearing a tight band; it may be triggered by stress, muscle tension, fatigue, or anxiety.
- Migraine: a throbbing pain usually affecting one side of the head, accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound, as well as nausea and vomiting. Causes include genetics, hormonal changes, or consumption of certain foods.
- Cluster headache: severe, stabbing pain often accompanied by nasal congestion, tearing, or eye redness. The exact cause is unclear, but it has been linked to hypothalamic dysfunction or clinical patterns such as seasonal changes.
- Sinus headache: pain in the forehead and around the eyes, accompanied by nasal congestion due to sinus inflammation caused by allergies or infections.
- Medication overuse headache: occurs when pain relievers are taken excessively, creating a vicious cycle between medication use and headache.
- Secondary headaches: result from underlying diseases such as meningitis, sinusitis, head injury, hypertension, or brain tumors.
Headache types by location
Headaches can manifest in different areas of the head, and the specific location often provides important clues about the underlying cause.
- The frontal region (forehead) is one of the most common locations; here, the pain may be related to tension or sinus headaches and is often described as constant pressure or congestion that may extend to the eyes or nasal bridge.
- The temporal region (sides of the head) is a frequent site for migraines, where pain is often unilateral and throbbing, though it can also be bilateral. It may radiate to the jaw or neck.
- The occipital region (back of the head) is often linked to neck muscle tension or cervical spine issues. This headache is common in people who maintain poor posture for long periods, work at computers, or perform repetitive neck movements; it feels like heaviness or stiffness and may extend to the shoulders.
- The periorbital region (around the eyes) is commonly affected in cluster or sinus headaches, where pain may be severe and accompanied by tearing, eye redness, and nasal congestion. The discomfort may radiate to the forehead or cheekbones.
- Generalized headache: involves the entire head and is common in severe tension headaches or secondary headaches. Its diffuse nature makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact source of pain.
Headache and nausea
A headache accompanied by nausea is common. Although this relationship is most evident in migraines, it can also appear with other types of headaches due to multiple factors.
In migraines, pain signals activate the trigeminal nerve, which also interacts with brain areas responsible for vomiting control, such as the solitary tract nucleus and the area postrema.
In severe tension headaches, stress and muscle tension can trigger autonomic responses such as nausea.
Significant increases in blood pressure can cause intense headaches, especially in the occipital region, accompanied by nausea or vomiting due to pressure on cerebral blood vessels.
Infections such as meningitis or severe encephalitis may cause headache and nausea due to inflammation and increased intracranial pressure, which can affect digestive regulatory centers.
In head trauma, nausea may accompany headaches and require immediate medical attention, as it could indicate serious complications.
Because of the wide variety of causes linking headache and nausea, it is important to seek medical attention to identify the origin and potential health risks.
Knowing the different types of headaches is essential for physicians to identify the condition affecting the patient, provide the appropriate treatment, and, if necessary, offer urgent medical care.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
NIH, MSD Manuals, Kids Health
