What are headadches?

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, often described as a dull, aching pain on both sides of the head. It can feel like a tight band wrapped around your head or pressure on the top of it.

Symptoms of tension headaches can include:

• A steady, aching pain (not throbbing) on both sides of the head
• A feeling of pressure or tightness around the head or neck
• Usually mild to moderate in intensity

Migraines are more severe than tension headaches and can significantly impact daily life. They often cause a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head and are often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Some people can experience symptoms such as tingling, numbness or visual disturbances just before the headache episode. Migraines can last for hours or even days and may require medical treatment. We’ve put together a guide on migraines so you can learn more

Some headaches are linked to other conditions like temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which are problems with the jaw muscles or joints that can cause pain that spreads to the head. If your GP suspects a serious underlying condition causing headaches, they may recommend blood tests, brain scans or other diagnostic tests to help identify the cause.

Hormonal changes, like those experienced during periods, pregnancy, menopause or while taking the contraceptive pill, can trigger headaches for some people. If you are experiencing headaches due to contraceptive pills, make sure you speak to your GP.

A healthy lifestyle like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating balanced meals, and reducing everyday stress may help reduce the chance of headaches.

If you’re unsure about your headache symptoms, they’re affecting your daily life or you’re concerned in any way, it’s important to speak to a GP or pharmacist. They can help identify the type of headache you’re experiencing and offer a suitable treatment to help you feel better.

They might ask about:

• When your headaches started – did they come on suddenly or gradually?
• How long they last – minutes, hours or days?
• The type of pain – is it a dull ache, sharp pain or throbbing sensation?
• The location of the pain – is it on one side or both? What makes them worse or better – are they triggered by everyday stress, food or bright lights?
• Other symptoms – like nausea, visual disturbances or sensitivity to light and sound

This conversation can often provide important clues for diagnosis. Your description can help your GP to understand whether you’re dealing with a tension headache, migraine, cluster headache or something else.

In some cases, a GP can diagnose headaches based on your symptoms and history. However, if there’s any doubt about the cause of your headaches, you may be referred for further diagnostic tests or to a headache clinic or a specialist. If a secondary cause is suspected, you might have additional tests like:

• Blood tests to help rule out infections or other health issues
• Imaging tests, such as a CT scan (Computed Tomography) or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Call 999 for children under 12 if they have:

• A headache with vision problems – like blurred vision or difficulty focusing
• A headache with difficulty speaking, walking, swallowing or balancing
• A headache with drowsiness or extreme tiredness – if your child seems unusually tired or difficult to wake
• A headache that starts within five days of a head injury – even if the injury seemed minor

Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child has:

• A headache that has come on within 5 days of a head injury, from a fall or accident.
• A sudden, severe headache – sometimes called a ‘thunderclap’ headache because it comes on suddenly and is extremely painful

Call 999 if you or your child has an extremely painful headache along with:

• Sudden problems speaking or remembering things – this could be a sign of a stroke
• Loss of vision – if your child suddenly can't see properly, it’s important to act fast
• Drowsiness or confusion – sudden confusion can be a warning sign of something serious
• A very high temperature with symptoms of meningitis – like a stiff neck, sensitivity to light or a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
• Redness in the white part of the eye

Daily headaches can happen for a variety of reasons, and while the exact cause isn’t always clear, several common triggers could be at play. We’ve covered the causes of headaches in the ‘Causes of headaches’ section of the page.

It’s important to see a GP if your daily headaches:

• Are persistent and/or are getting progressively worse
• Don’t respond to over-the-counter pain relief medicines or need regular pain relief medicines
• Are linked with other symptoms like blurred vision, jaw pain or numbness
  A GP can help identify the type of headache you’re experiencing, explore possible triggers, and create a treatment plan to help reduce their impact on your daily life. They may also arrange for further investigations or refer you to a specialist.

Make sure to call 999 or go to A&E if you suddenly develop a severe headache, especially if it’s combined with confusion, drowsiness, difficulty speaking or loss of vision.

If you’ve got a headache, there are steps you can try to help ease the discomfort. We’ve covered these in the ‘Managing headaches’ section of the page. If your headaches keep coming back, get worse over time, last a long time or affect your daily life, make sure to speak to a GP. They can help identify possible causes and suggest treatments to manage them.

Headaches can sometimes be a sign of an underlying illness. Common health conditions that may trigger headaches include:

• Colds and flu
• Sinus infections (sinusitis)
• Ear infections
• Hormonal changes
• Eye strain
• Sleep disorders

We’ve covered more causes in the ‘What causes headaches?’ section of the page. In rare cases, headaches could signal something more serious. If your headaches keep coming back, get worse over time or you notice other unusual symptoms (like vision changes or confusion), it’s important to speak to a GP. They can help work out the cause and offer the right support.

There aren’t necessarily ‘top’ causes of headaches, but there are some common triggers that affect many people. We’ve covered more of these in the ‘Causes of headaches’ section of the page. Other possible triggers include missing meals, certain foods and drinks (like caffeine or alcohol), or too much screen time. If your headaches keep coming back or start affecting your daily life, it’s important to speak to your GP for advice and support.

While most headaches aren’t a cause for concern, there are some warning signs that mean you should seek urgent medical help. These include:

• A sudden, severe headache
• Headache with confusion, drowsiness or fainting
• Headache after a head injury
• Headache with vision problems
• Headache with numbness, weakness or difficulty speaking
• Headache that wakes you up or is worse in the morning
• Headache with a high temperature and a stiff neck

If you or your child experience any of these red flags, make sure to call 999 or go to A&E.

Typical headaches usually cause a dull, aching discomfort or tight pressure on both sides of the head. They’re often triggered by stressful feelings, dehydration or muscle tension. They tend to last for a few hours and don't typically come with other symptoms like nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraines, on the other hand, can cause intense, throbbing pain, which is often on one side of the head. Migraine is a type of headache that isn’t caused by another condition such as a cold or flu, and it has characteristic symptoms. Migraines can last for hours or days and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound or smell. Some people also experience visual disturbances called 'auras' before a migraine begins.

We’ve put together a guide on migraines if you want to learn more.