Types of Headache
Topic Overview
It can be hard for your doctor to tell whether you have migraine headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, cluster headaches, or a combination of these types. The symptoms of these headaches are often the same, and no test can diagnose headaches.
Listing a few key features of your headaches may help your doctor find out what type of headache you have. This can help your doctor treat your headaches.
For example, you may think that your headaches are sinus headaches. But if they happen often and interfere with your daily life, they probably are migraines. A true sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection.
Type |
Where the pain is |
How bad the pain is |
Things that make it worse |
Symptoms |
---|---|---|---|---|
Migraine |
Usually on one side of your head with pressure behind one eye |
Throbbing, pulsating headache that is moderate to severe |
Pain gets worse with normal physical activity. |
|
Sinus |
Around your eyes, cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose |
Deep and constant headache pain |
Leaning over, sudden movement, or exercising may make the headache worse. |
|
Tension |
On both sides or all over your head |
Deep, pressing, tightening headache that does not throb or pulse and is mild to moderate |
Physical activity does not make headache worse. |
|
Cluster |
On one side of the face, head, or neck; does not switch sides |
Piercing pain that gets very bad very fast, usually within 5 to 10 minutes |
Lying down makes it worse. |
|
Current as of: March 28, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier, MD – Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine
Topic Contents
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