| Type of
Headache |
General Symptoms |
Potential
Cause(s) |
| Common
Migraine |
Severe throbbing pain, nausea or vomiting,
dizziness, sensitivity to light/sound |
Excessive dilation or contraction of blood
vessels in the brain |
| Classic
Migraine |
Same as above, but preceded by visual
disturbances, numbness in hands/legs, hallucinations and/or smelling strange
odors. |
Excessive dilation or contraction of blood
vessels in the brain |
| Cluster
Headache |
Severe, throbbing pain (one side of the head
only); flushing of the face, tearing of eyes, nasal congestion |
Stress, alcohol use, smoking |
| Tension
Headache |
Constant pain in one area or all over the
head; sore muscles and pain in neck and upper back; light-headedness and
dizziness |
Stress/anxiety, depression, anger, food
allergies, poor posture |
| Bilious
Headache |
Dull pain in forehead; throbbing
temples |
Indigestion, overeating, lack of
exercise |
| Caffeine
Headache |
Throbbing pain |
Caffeine withdrawal, causing blood vessels
to dilate |
| Exertion
Headache |
Generalized headache during or after
physical exertion (exercise, etc.) or passive exertion (sneezing, coughing,
etc.) |
Usually related to migraine or cluster
headache; rarely related to organic disease. |
| Eyestrain
Headache |
Bilateral frontal pain (usually) |
Eye muscle imbalance, uncorrected vision,
astigmatism |
| Fever
Headache |
Generalized headache |
Inflammation of blood vessels caused by
fever/infection |
| Hunger
Headache |
Headache that strikes just before mealtime
or after prolonged fasting |
Low blood sugar and muscle tension caused by
skipping meals, stringent dieting |
| Sinus
Headache |
Nagging pain over the nasal/sinus area; may
increase in intensity as day progresses |
Allergies or infection leading to blocked
sinus ducts or acute sinus problems |
| TMJ Headache |
Pain above the ear, on the sides of the jaw
or in the face; clicking or popping of jaw; muscle contractions on one side of
the face |
Stress, poor bite, jaw clenching, teeth
grinding, gum chewing |
