Most headaches are tension-type headaches that ease with rest, water and an over-the-counter pain reliever. How to recognize your type, what helps and the signs that need urgent care.
The most common types of headache
| Type | What it feels like | Common triggers |
|---|---|---|
| Tension-type | Dull, pressing pain or a tight band around the forehead, sides or back of the head, usually on both sides. You can normally carry on with your day. | Stress, poor sleep, long hours at a screen, tight neck and shoulder muscles, skipped meals |
| Migraine | Throbbing pain, often on one side, moderate to severe, worse with movement. Often nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people first see an "aura" – zigzag lines or flashing lights. | Hormone changes, poor sleep, stress, missed meals, alcohol, some foods |
| Cluster | Severe, piercing pain around one eye, with a watery eye or runny nostril on the same side. Attacks last 15 minutes to 3 hours, often at the same time of day, for weeks. | Not fully understood; alcohol can set off attacks during a cluster period |
| Sinus | Pressure in the cheeks, forehead or around the eyes, with a blocked nose and thick, discolored mucus, during a cold or sinus infection | A sinus infection |
| Medication-overuse ("rebound") | A headache on most days in people who take pain relievers often | Taking pain relievers on more than 10–15 days a month |
Many headaches that people put down to their sinuses turn out to be migraines – especially if they come back regularly without a cold.
What helps
- Drink water and eat something – dehydration and low blood sugar are common triggers.
- Rest in a quiet, dark room, especially with a migraine.
- Try a cold or warm compress on your forehead or the back of your neck, and gently stretch your neck and shoulders.
- Take a break from screens, and check your posture if you work at a desk.
- Take a pain reliever early. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen work best at the first sign of a headache. Follow the label.
Use pain relievers for headaches on no more than 2–3 days a week. Taking them more often can cause rebound headaches, which only stop once you cut back.
A little caffeine helps some people, but too much – or suddenly stopping – can cause headaches too.
If you get migraines often, or over-the-counter medicines don't help, talk to your doctor. There are prescription medicines made for migraine attacks, and others that make attacks less frequent. A headache diary (when they start, what you ate, how you slept) helps you and your doctor spot triggers.
When a headache is an emergency
Call 911 if you have:
- A sudden, severe headache that reaches full strength within a minute – often described as "the worst headache of my life"
- A headache with a stiff neck and fever, or a rash
- A headache with confusion, weakness or numbness on one side, a drooping face, trouble speaking, or loss of vision – these can be signs of a stroke
- A headache after a head injury, or with a seizure or fainting
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment if:
- You start getting new headaches after age 50
- Your headaches change pattern, get more frequent or more severe
- Headaches wake you up, or are worse when you cough, sneeze or strain
- You need a pain reliever for headaches more than 2 days a week
- You're pregnant and have a headache with swelling or changes in your vision
- You're over 50 and have a headache with scalp tenderness or jaw pain when chewing
Frequently asked questions
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for a headache?
Both work for most tension-type headaches, and both can help with migraine. Ibuprofen is often a good first choice for migraine. Ask a pharmacist first if you have stomach, kidney or heart problems, or take a blood thinner.
Can dehydration cause a headache?
Yes. Not drinking enough is a common trigger. Drinking water often helps within an hour or so.