Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Symptoms by headache type, plus red flags such as sudden severe pain.
Symptoms vary by type of headache. Noticing the pattern helps you and your doctor find the cause.
Tension-type headache
A dull, tight, band-like pressure on both sides of the head, sometimes with neck and shoulder tightness. It is usually mild to moderate and does not worsen with activity.
Throbbing pain, often on one side, with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Activity makes it worse. Some people have an aura first, such as flashing lights or blurred vision, lasting up to an hour. Attacks last 4 to 72 hours.
Cluster headache
Very severe pain around or behind one eye, with a red, watering eye, a blocked or runny nostril and restlessness. Attacks last 15 minutes to 3 hours and may occur several times a day.
Medication-overuse headache
A daily or near-daily dull headache in someone who takes painkillers often.
Red flag symptoms: call 112 or 102 or go to emergency care
See a doctor soon
Headaches that are new after age 50, keep getting worse, wake you from sleep or begin in pregnancy.
Key point
Most headaches are not dangerous, but red flags need urgent attention.
Before your appointment
Keep a headache diary for a few weeks, noting when headaches start, how long they last, their location and type of pain, and possible triggers such as sleep, meals, stress, periods and screen time. List all medicines, supplements and painkillers you take and how many days a month you use them. Mention head injuries, family history, and any red flag symptoms.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem
Explore more articles about this topic
Gentle yoga, stretching and breathing between attacks, what to avoid.
Tension, migraine, cluster, medication-overuse and secondary headaches explained.
Regular sleep and meals, water, stress care, trigger diary, limited painkillers.
Paracetamol, NSAIDs, migraine drugs, overuse risk and safety, no child aspirin.
Rest, water, compresses, posture and habits, and when to get help.
Regular meals, water, possible food triggers and supplement cautions.
