Ever had a headache ruin your day? You’re not alone—headaches are among the most common health complaints worldwide. But what exactly is a headache, and why do they happen? Let’s break it down.
What Is a Headache?
A headache is simply pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. Headaches can feel very different from one person to another: sometimes it’s a dull ache, other times it’s a sharp, throbbing pain. Headaches aren’t rare—in fact, studies estimate that nearly half of all adults have had a headache at least once in the past year . Migraines, a specific type of headache, affect about 15% of the world’s population.
It’s not just adults, either. Kids can get headaches too, especially as they grow older. In short: if you’ve got a head, you’ve probably had a headache at some point.
How Does a Headache Happen?
Here’s where things get interesting. Your brain doesn’t actually feel pain—strange, right? The ache you feel comes from nerves, blood vessels, and muscles around your head and neck. Imagine your head as a city: when there’s roadwork, traffic builds up. Similarly, when blood vessels swell or muscles tighten, pain signals travel through nerves to your brain.
Sometimes, headaches are triggered by things outside your body, like loud noises or bright lights. Other times, they’re caused by internal changes—think dehydration, stress, or hormonal shifts. Your body is trying to tell you that something is off. But often, the reason isn’t so obvious, which can be frustrating.
What Causes a Headache?
Headaches aren’t all the same, and their causes can be just as varied. Broadly, headaches fall into two main categories: primary and secondary.
- Primary headaches are stand-alone conditions. They aren’t caused by another disease. The most common types are:
- Tension headaches (about 70% of all headaches)
- Migraines (10–15%)
- Cluster headaches (less than 1%)
- Secondary headaches happen because of another condition, like a sinus infection, injury, hypertension or even—rarely—a brain tumour.
Let’s look at a few main causes:
- Tension-type headaches: Usually triggered by stress, muscle tension, or poor posture. Ever hunch over your computer too long and feel that ache at the base of your skull? That’s a classic tension headache.
- Migraines: These have a genetic link and can be set off by hormonal changes, certain foods (like chocolate or cheese), weather changes, or even lack of sleep.
- Sinus headaches: Often come with a cold or allergies and feel like pressure around your eyes or cheeks.
- Medication overuse: Taking painkillers too often can actually lead to more headaches—a cruel irony called “rebound headaches.”
It’s worth noting that in about 90% of cases, headaches are not dangerous and go away on their own.
Risk Factors: Who Gets Headaches?
Headaches don’t play favourites. Anyone can get them, but some people are more likely to be frequent sufferers. Why?
- Age and gender: Headaches are common at any age, but migraines often start in adolescence and are more common in women—especially during their childbearing years.
- Family history: If your parents get migraines, you have a higher chance too.
- Lifestyle factors: Not drinking enough water, skipping meals, poor sleep, and high stress all raise your risk.
- Other conditions: People with anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders tend to have more headaches.
Other triggers? Bright lights, strong smells, and even changes in weather. Sometimes, life just gets in the way of a pain-free day.
Other Symptoms: Beyond the Pain
It’s easy to think of headaches as just pain in the head, but that’s only part of the story. Many headaches come with extra symptoms:
- Migraines often bring nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. Some people even see flashing lights or zigzag lines before the pain starts—a phenomenon called “aura.”
- Cluster headaches are severe, one-sided headaches that can cause a red, teary eye or a runny nose on the affected side.
- Sinus headaches usually come with facial pressure, stuffy nose, or fever.
When headaches become severe or chronic, you might also notice:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
Red flags: If a headache is sudden and extremely severe (“worst headache of your life”), comes with stiff neck, fever, weakness, or confusion, seek medical attention—these can signal a serious problem.
Tests to Identify the Cause
Most headaches don’t need fancy tests. A good doctor will ask about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. But when the cause isn’t clear, or if your headaches are severe or unusual, further investigation might be needed.
Gold standard test: For most headaches, there isn’t a single “gold standard” diagnostic test. Instead, diagnosis is “clinical”—based on your history and symptoms. For migraines and tension-type headaches, no scans are needed unless something unusual is going on.
But if doctors suspect a more serious cause, they may order:
- CT or MRI scan: To look for tumours, bleeding, or other brain problems.
- Blood tests: To check for infection or inflammation.
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Rarely, to check for meningitis or bleeding in the brain.
If your headaches are new, severe, or come with concerning symptoms, don’t wait—get checked.
Treatment for Headache
Treatment depends on the type and cause of your headache. Most mild headaches can be managed at home, but chronic or severe headaches might need medical care.
Mainstream (gold standard) treatment:
- Tension headaches: Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, rest, hydration, and stress management work for most people.
- Migraines: Specific medicines called triptans, along with rest in a dark, quiet room. Preventive medicines (like beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, or certain antidepressants) may be needed if migraines are frequent.
Other options:
- Physical therapy or massage for muscle-related headaches
- Avoiding known triggers—keeping a headache diary can help
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for stress or anxiety-related headaches
- Botox injections or nerve blocks for chronic migraines (in some cases)
What about “natural” remedies? Drinking enough water, getting regular sleep, eating balanced meals, and managing stress can all help keep headaches at bay.
But—important—if your headaches are frequent, severe, or don’t respond to simple measures, check in with your doctor.
References
- Headaches: Types, Causes, and Treatments. Mayo Clinic, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/headache/symptoms-causes
- Headache Disorders: Key Facts. World Health Organization, 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders
- Migraine: Epidemiology and Genetics. StatPearls (NIH), 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560940/