Overview of Headaches

The most common causes of a headache are:

• Tension-type headache

• Migraine

Other causes of a headache are:

• Cluster headache

• An infection in your head, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or sinusitis

• Bodywide infections such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or flu

• Sudden bleeding in your brain (intracerebral hemorrhage)

• Brain tumor

• Glaucoma

• Caffeine withdrawalCaffeine withdrawal

See a doctor right away if you have a headache and any of the following warning signs:

• Changes in your vision, weakness, drowsiness, confusion, loss of balance, or trouble speaking

• A fever and stiff neck

• A sudden, very severe headache that came on like a thunderclap

• Tenderness at your temple (as when combing hair) or jaw pain when chewing

• Cancer, late-stage HIV, or a weak immune system

• A worsening headache

• Red eyes and halos seen around lights

See a doctor within a week if you have:

• Headaches that begin after age 50

• Worsening vision

• Weight loss

• Headaches that are getting worse or more frequent

If you are older than 50 years old, any new headache or change in old headache should be seen by a doctor. Older adults are more likely to have a serious cause for a headache, and even common headaches may be more difficult to treat in older adults.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and examine you. Your doctor may also do tests such as:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan of your head

• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

Treatment depends on the type of headache you have:

• If another health problem is causing your headache, doctors will treat that problem

• For tension-type headaches or headaches due to viruses, doctors will have you take pain medicine such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofenFor tension-type headaches or headaches due to viruses, doctors will have you take pain medicine such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen

• For migraine, doctors will give you special medicine