What Is a Headache?

Learn about different headaches to determine which you have and how to get relief.

A headache is pain in any region of the head, but that’s a rather simplistic definition. They can come in all shapes and sizes. A headache may appear as a sharp pain, a dull ache, or a throbbing sensation. They can last for a short period, for hours, or even for days. They can be on one side of your head, both sides, or even radiate from one side to another.¹

Different Types of Headaches

Primary Headaches

Primary headaches are when the headache itself is the main problem and not a symptom of an underlying disease or condition.⁴ In these cases, headaches aren’t symptoms of larger issues like a cold, flu, sinusitis, or allergies. Some common types of primary headaches are:⁴

Migraine headaches. It is typically a pain or pressure on one side of your head. This type of headache can last up to 72 hours, and it might appear with other symptoms as well.⁴ While there is no cure for migraine headaches, you can make the pain manageable while you recover from them.
Tension-type headaches. Tension-type headaches usually have pain or pressure around the perimeter of your head—the back, temples, and forehead.⁴ A tension-type headache can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days.⁴
Hypnic headaches. Hypnic headaches are a rare type of headache that usually occurs in those between 40 and 80 years old.⁴ This headache can cause pain or pressure anywhere on the head. However, this headache only happens at night and usually doesn’t last for more than an hour.⁴
Cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are headaches that happen on only one side of your head. They can last anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours.⁴ They are called cluster headaches because they can happen multiple times a day before subsiding.
Sinus headaches. Sinus headaches are headaches that result in pain or pressure in the forehead and behind the cheeks.⁷ They can sometimes be confused with migraines, but sinus headaches result from congestion and swollen nasal passages. Some symptoms include worsening pain when you bend forward or lie down, stuffy nose, fatigue, achy feeling in your upper teeth, a bad taste when you swallow, and face swelling.⁷
New daily persistent headaches. These headaches occur randomly and happen for longer than three months.⁷ The pain or pressure caused by these headaches are usually on both sides of your head, and most of the time, they don’t respond to medication well.⁷

Secondary Headaches

Secondary headaches are usually signs of a more serious health issue. While they do cause pain and pressure in your head and in your neck, they can also appear with other symptoms and can start randomly. Some of the more serious issues that secondary headaches are indicators of are:⁴

Brain tumors
Aneurysms
Meningitis
A neck injury
A brain injury

If you have a secondary headache, or a primary headache that lasts longer than the typical timeline, you should consult with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

A man is sitting and holding his hands to his head in pain

Secondary headaches are usually signs of a more serious health issue. While they do cause pain and pressure in your head and in your neck, they can also appear with other symptoms and can start randomly.

Causes of Headaches

Headaches can be caused by numerous things like genetics, stress, diet, and lifestyle. Some other things that can specifically increase your risk in getting a headache are:⁵

Stress
Not getting enough sleep
Not eating enough food
Dehydration
Eating too many processed foods
Having a withdrawal from caffeine if you drink coffee
Changes in weather
Inhaling smoke
Bright lights
Drinking alcohol
Being on your menstrual cycle

When to See a Healthcare Provider

In certain cases, a persistent headache or one that’s causing you severe pain might be a reason for you to consult with your healthcare provider. Seek medical attention immediately if a headache causes:

Trouble with your speech
Fainting or weakness
A fever greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
Numbness on one side of your body
Trouble moving around
Vision trouble
Vomiting

If your headaches happen more periodically or become more severe, you should also see a healthcare provider. You should monitor whether any over-the-counter are improving or worsening the headache you have along with creating any other symptoms.

How do you treat a headache?

Headaches often go hand-in-hand with the flu, and the best thing to do is get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquids to keep hydrated. Avoiding strong smells and processed foods can help lower your risks of getting a headache as well. Finding a way to manage any stress you have can keep headaches from coming as frequently and even help relieve a headache you already have.

Pain from a headache can often be diminished using aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.³Theraflu ExpressMaxSevere Cold and Flu Syrup can help temporarily relieve painful symptoms associated with the cold or flu. It also contains ingredients that treat nasal congestion, cough, fever, and chest congestion.

If you are experiencing a headache, along with other symptoms of a cold or flu, finding the most relevant Theraflu product can help relieve your symptoms as help you recover from what’s causing them.