Headache

Headaches may be common, but they can also be debilitating. A headache is pain that occurs in any area of the head. For some people, headaches may be rare and only occur with another health condition, such as when you have a cold. For others, headaches can be a chronic pain condition that affects your quality of life.

The University of Kansas Health System specializes in delivering the correct diagnosis and treatment for all types of headaches, including migraines. As part of an academic medical center, we can connect you with ongoing research and clinical trials for therapeutic discoveries that aren’t available through other providers.

Headaches are a type of pain that can be located anywhere in the head. Headaches can occur on only one side of the head or on both sides. Headache pain can range from mild to severe, and can feel sharp or dull. Some types of headaches come and go while others can last for hours, days or even longer.

There are many reasons you can get a headache, and there are also many different types of headaches you can experience. Headaches are considered chronic if they occur more than 15 days per month.

Headaches are classified as primary or secondary:

• A primary headache is when the headache is a health concern in its own right rather than a symptom of an underlying issue.
• A secondary headache occurs as the result of a different health condition. For example, someone with severe allergies may also get frequent sinus headaches due to their allergy symptoms.

Although there are hundreds of different headache types and subtypes, there are 4 types that most commonly cause people to call their doctor:

Headache symptoms will vary depending on the type of headache you have, but can include:

• A feeling of pressure around the head
• Headache pain that’s accompanied by nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound
• Pain behind or around the eye
• Pain in the head that worsens with activity
• Pain on one side of the head only
• Pain that comes and goes in cycles
• Sinus pain that worsens with sudden head movements

The risk factors and potential triggers for getting a headache also vary by headache type:

• Age
• Family history of the same type of headache
• Fatigue
• Food sensitivities
• Grinding your teeth
• Head injury or trauma
• Hormone levels
• Muscle tension or poor posture
• Sinusitis
• Stress

Typically, your doctor can diagnose your headache based on your medical history and a physical exam. However, he or she may recommend additional tests to rule out or confirm whether any underlying health concerns could be contributing to your headache symptoms:

• Allergy testing
• CT scan
• MRI scan
• Nasal or sinus samples to test for infection

Different treatments can bring relief of headache symptoms, depending on the type of headache:

• Avoiding headache triggers (such as certain foods or irregular sleep patterns)
• Hot or cold compresses applied to the head or neck
• Over-the-counter headache relief medications
• Prescription headache medications
• Resting quietly in a dark room
• Stress reduction practices