Headache Causes

Headache Causes

Primary headaches

A primary headache is caused by problems with or overactivity of pain-sensitive structures in your head. A primary headache isn't a symptom of an underlying disease. The most common primary headaches are: Cluster headache, Tension headache (medically known as tension-type headache), Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), including cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania

There are other headache patterns that are generally considered types of primary headache but are less common. Chronic daily headaches, Cough headaches, Exercise headaches, Sex headaches

Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, including: Changes in sleep or lack of sleep, Poor posture, Skipped meals, Stress,  [1]

Direct physical stimuli, such as temperature and external pressure, Pain over the scalp (epicranial), Physical exertion, Other miscellaneous headaches. [2]

Secondary headaches

A secondary headache is a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. Any number of conditions — varying greatly in severity — may cause secondary headaches.

Sources of secondary headaches include: Acute sinusitis, Arterial tears (carotid or vertebral dissections), Blood clot (venous thrombosis) within the brain — separate from stroke, Brain aneurysm (a bulge in an artery in your brain), Brain AVM (an abnormal formation of brain blood vessels), Carbon monoxide poisoning , Concussion, Dehydration, Dental problems, Ear infection (middle ear), Encephalitis (brain inflammation), Glaucoma, Hangovers, Influenza (flu), Intracranial hematoma (blood vessel ruptures in the brain), Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord), Monosodium glutamate (MSG), Overuse of pain medication, Panic attacks and panic disorder, Post-concussion syndrome, Pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure inside the skull), Toxoplasmosis, Trigeminal neuralgia (disruption of the nerve connecting the face and brain) [1]

Blood clots, Brain freeze (ice cream headaches),  Carbon monoxide poisoning,  Concussion, Overuse of pain medication (rebound headaches), Panic attacks, Stroke. [2]

Specific types of secondary headaches include: External compression headaches (a result of pressure-causing headgear), Ice cream headaches (commonly called brain freeze), Rebound headaches (caused by overuse of pain medication), Sinus headaches (caused by inflammation and congestion in sinus cavities), Spinal headaches (caused by low levels of cerebrospinal fluid, possibly the result of trauma, spinal tap or spinal anesthesia), Thunderclap headaches (a group of disorders that involves sudden, severe headaches) [1]

Source: [1] [2]