What Are The Most Common Causes of Headaches?

Headaches are a common occurrence.  In fact, it would be difficult to find someone who has never had a headache. The vast majority of the time, a headache is nothing to be concerned about. However, severe headaches, headaches that do not improve with treatment, or reoccurring headaches may be indicative of a medical concern.  Understanding what causes headaches can help you to avoid triggers.

Headaches Explained

In their simplest form, headaches are pains in the head.  Depending on the type and cause of the headache, the pain can be localized or spread across a large portion of the head.  Headaches can gradually increase in pain, onset quickly, and can be accompanied by other symptoms.

Causes of Headaches

Headaches may be caused by a variety of factors.  If you have recurring headaches, keeping a log of your activity can help you to identify what may be triggering them.  Common causes of headaches include:

• Stress or anxiety
• Muscle strain
• Allergies
• Reactions to medicine
• Eye strain
• Physical exertion
• Dehydration

Being aware of these common causes of headaches can help you identify what may be triggering your headaches, so that you’re able to make adjustments to avoid the headaches in the future.   Frequent headaches or severe headaches may indicate a more serious medical concern and should be evaluated by an expert with experience treating headaches. 

Types of Headaches

The most common headaches typically fall into one of the following categories:

• Tension Headaches – Tension headaches may be the result of physical tension, such as bad posture, or emotional tension such as stress or anxiety.  Many people describe the pain of a tension headache as that of pressure or tightness around the head. 
• Migraine Headaches – Migraines can pulse or throb and can last for days on end.  These headaches can be chronic and are a leading cause of disability worldwide.  Sometimes these headaches have other symptoms such as nausea or changes in vision. 
• Rebound Headache – Rebound headaches are directly related to the overuse of pain relieving medicine to treat a prior headache.  In addition to pain, symptoms of rebound headaches can include trouble sleeping.
• Cluster Headaches – Cluster headaches are another type of chronic headaches.  Although uncommon, these headaches tend to strike at the same time of day for an extended period of time. They can cluster together for weeks on end before ceasing. 

If you suffer from headaches and are unable to get relief or if you want additional information on the common causes of headaches, speak with an expert who can diagnose and treat your issues.  To schedule an appointment, please complete the form linked below or give NY Neurology Associates a call at (212) 987-0100.