Headaches are a very common condition that most people will experience many times during their lives. The main symptom of a headache is pain in your head or face. There are several types of headaches, and tension headaches are the most common. While most headaches aren’t dangerous, certain types can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
A headache is a common condition characterized by pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. It can range from mild to severe and can occur for a variety of reasons. Headaches are broadly classified into two main categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches.
What is a headache?
A headache is a pain in your head or face that’s often described as a pressure that’s throbbing, constant, sharp or dull. Headaches can differ greatly in regard to pain type, severity, location and frequency.
Headaches are a very common condition that most people will experience many times during their lives. They’re the most common form of pain and are a major reason cited for days missed at work or school, as well as visits to healthcare providers.
While most headaches aren’t dangerous, certain types can be a sign of a more serious condition.
What are the types of headaches?
There are more than 150 types of headaches. They fall into two main categories: primary and secondary headaches.
Primary headaches
Dysfunction or over-activity of pain-sensitive features in your head cause primary headaches. They’re not a symptom of or caused by an underlying medical condition. Some people may have genes that make them more likely to develop primary headaches.
Types of primary headaches include:
- Tension-type headaches (most common type of headache).
- Migraine headaches.
- Cluster headaches.
- New daily persistent headaches (NDPH).
Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors or situations, including:
- Alcohol, particularly red wine.
- Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates (food-triggered headaches).
- Consuming nicotine (nicotine headache).
- Changes in sleep or lack of sleep.
- Poor posture.
- Physical activity, such as exercise (exertion headaches).
- Skipped meals (hunger headache).
- Coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, straining (such as when having a bowel movement), or laughing or crying vigorously (cough headaches).
Primary headaches typically aren’t dangerous, but they can be very painful and disrupt your day-to-day life.
Secondary headaches
These result from an underlying medical condition. Examples include:
- Sinus Headaches:
- Caused by inflammation or infection of the sinuses.
- Pain is often felt in the forehead, cheekbones, or bridge of the nose.
- Medication Overuse Headaches (Rebound Headaches):
- Caused by overuse of pain-relief medications.
- Injury-Related Headaches:
- Result from trauma to the head or neck.
- Illness-Related Headaches:
- Associated with conditions like infections (e.g., meningitis), high blood pressure, or brain tumors.
An underlying medical condition causes secondary headaches. They’re considered a symptom or sign of a condition. Types of secondary headaches that aren’t necessarily dangerous and resolve once the underlying condition is treated include:
- Dehydration headache.
- Sinus headaches.
- Medication overuse headaches.
Types of secondary headaches that can be a sign of a serious or potentially life-threatening condition include:
Spinal headaches: Spinal headaches are intense headaches that occur when spinal fluid leaks out of the membrane covering your spinal cord, usually after a spinal tap. Most spinal headaches can be treated at home, but prolonged, untreated spinal headaches can cause life-threatening complications, including subdural hematoma and seizures.
Thunderclap headaches: A thunderclap headache is an extremely painful headache that comes on suddenly, like a clap of thunder. This type of headache reaches its most intense pain within one minute and lasts at least five minutes. While thunderclap headaches can sometimes be harmless, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. They can be a sign of:
- Head injury.
- Brain bleed.
- Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.
- A sudden, severe rise in blood pressure.
How is a headache treated?
Treatment for headaches depends on the type.
One of the most crucial aspects of treating primary headaches is figuring out your triggers. Learning what those are — typically by keeping a headache log — can reduce the number of headaches you have.
Once you know your triggers, your healthcare provider can tailor treatment to you. For example, you may get headaches when you’re tense or worried. Counseling and stress management techniques can help you handle this trigger better. By lowering your stress level, you can avoid stress-induced headaches.
Not every headache requires medication. A range of treatments is available. Depending on your headache type, frequency and cause, treatment options include:
- Stress management.
- Biofeedback.
- Medications.
- Treating the underlying medical condition/cause.
Medications for Headaches
Occasional tension headaches usually respond well to over-the-counter pain relievers. But be aware that using these medications too often can lead to long-term daily headaches (medication overuse headaches).
For frequent or severe headaches, your provider may recommend prescription headache medications. Triptans and other types of drugs can stop a migraine attack. You take them at the first signs of an oncoming headache.
Drugs for high blood pressure, seizures and depression can sometimes prevent migraines. Your healthcare provider may recommend trying one of these medications to reduce headache frequency.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
- For mild to moderate headaches.
- Safer for most people but should be used cautiously to avoid liver damage.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
- Examples: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), Aspirin.
- Reduce inflammation and relieve pain in tension-type headaches and mild migraines.
Combination Medications:
- Combine acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (e.g., Excedrin Migraine).
- Effective for mild to moderate migraines and tension headaches.
Prescription Medications:
- Triptans:
- Examples: Sumatriptan (Imitrex), Rizatriptan (Maxalt), Zolmitriptan (Zomig).
- Specifically for migraines and cluster headaches.
- Work by targeting serotonin receptors to constrict blood vessels and block pain pathways.
- Ergotamines:
- Examples: Dihydroergotamine (DHE 45), Ergotamine (Cafergot).
- Useful for migraines, especially when triptans are ineffective.
- CGRP Antagonists (Acute Use):
- Examples: Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT), Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy).
- Block calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), involved in migraine pathways.
Others:
- Anti-Nausea Medications: Metoclopramide (Reglan), Ondansetron (Zofran).
- For nausea or vomiting often associated with migraines.
- Opioids (Rarely Used):
- Reserved for severe headaches when other treatments fail due to risks of dependency.
- Steroids:
- Prednisone or dexamethasone for severe or persistent headaches.
Fioricet for Headache
Fioricet is commonly prescribed for tension headaches and some migraines because of its combination of active ingredients, each of which plays a specific role in relieving headache symptoms:
1. Acetaminophen (Pain Reliever):
- How it works: Acetaminophen is an analgesic that reduces pain by blocking the production of certain chemicals in the brain, such as prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation.
- Effect: It directly addresses the pain associated with headaches.
2. Butalbital (Barbiturate Sedative):
- How it works: Butalbital is a barbiturate that acts as a central nervous system depressant. It relaxes muscle contractions in the head and neck, which can contribute to tension headaches.
- Effect: It induces relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety, which are common headache triggers.
3. Caffeine (Stimulant):
- How it works: Caffeine is a mild central nervous system stimulant that constricts blood vessels in the brain. This counteracts the dilation of blood vessels that can occur during headaches, particularly migraines.
- Effect: It enhances the effectiveness of acetaminophen and helps relieve headache symptoms faster.