Tension Headache

Tension headaches usually start slowly and build:

• Constant, steady pain and pressure
• Dull and achy pain
• Pain that is often on both sides of the head, in the forehead, temples, and the back of the head
• Pressure may feel like a tight band around the head
• Pain is from mild to severe and can vary during the day
• Tightness in head and neck muscles
• Problems with focus

Tension Headache: Areas of Pain

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Migraine Headache

Migraines happen in phases that may include:

• A warning in the hours or days before in the form of:
  • A change in mood
  • Feeling tired
  • Tense muscles
  • Yawning
  • Food craving
• An aura that lasts about 15 to 60 minutes with:
  • Flashing lights or spots
  • Short term, partial loss of eyesight
  • Speech problems
  • Weakness in an arm or leg
  • Numbness or tingling that starts in the hands and spreads to the arms, face, and mouth
  • Restlessness
  • Confusion
• Migraine pain that starts within an hour of the aura ending:
  • A headache, usually on one side but may be on both
  • A headache that is intense, throbbing, or pulsating and is worse when you move
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Sore or achy muscles
  • Lightheadedness
• A post headache period that often lasts for 4 to 72 hours and often goes away with sleep. After the headache, you may have:
  • Problems with focus
  • Tiredness

Cluster Headache

Cluster headacheshave stabbing and burning head pain that:

• Is on one side of the head
• Often starts around the eye and spreads to the same side of the head
• Can happen every day or almost every day for 4 to 8 weeks
• Can happen 1 to 8 times a day
• Often happens at about the same time each day
• Gets worse over time
• May start 2 hours after you go to sleep
• Can wake you from sleep
• May last up to 3 hours
• May happen with restlessness and agitation

Symptoms of a Cluster Headache

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During the headache, you may also have:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Redness or watering of the eye
• Droopy eyelid
• Very small pupils in the eye
• Swelling of your face

Sinus Headache

Sinus headache problems are:

• Pain and tenderness behind the forehead and cheeks and around the eyes
• Pain in the back of the neck or upper teeth
• Pain that is from mild to severe
• Pain that is worse first thing in the morning
• Pain that feel worse when you bend over
• Headache along with other signs of sinusitis:
  • Nasal congestion
  • Thick nasal drainage
  • Post nasal drip
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Stuffy ears
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Puffiness around the eyes

Sinus Headache: Areas of Pain

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