Headaches

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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 a picture 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.
• Premenstrual syndrome.

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 high blood pressure or 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.

Last updated:	July 09, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer