Types of headaches and their locations
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Primary Headache Types and Their Typical Locations
Migraine Headache Location and Features
Migraine headaches are most often described as unilateral, meaning the pain is usually on one side of the head. However, migraines can also present with pain in the front (frontal), around the eyes (orbital), or even in the back of the head (occipital) in some cases. The pain is typically throbbing or pulsating and can worsen with physical activity. Migraines may also be accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people experience an aura—visual or sensory disturbances—before the headache begins. Migraine is one of the most common types of primary headaches and is a frequent reason for medical visits worldwide 145689.
Tension-Type Headache Location and Features
Tension-type headaches (TTH) are the most prevalent type of headache. The pain is usually mild to moderate, with a pressing or tightening quality. Unlike migraines, tension-type headaches are typically bilateral, meaning the pain is felt on both sides of the head. The pain often feels like a tight band around the head or a pressure sensation, and it is not aggravated by routine physical activity. Tension-type headaches do not usually cause nausea or sensitivity to light and sound 2568.
Cluster Headache Location and Features
Cluster headaches are less common but very distinctive. The pain is strictly unilateral and usually located around one eye (orbital), above the eye (supraorbital), or at the temple (temporal region). In rare cases, cluster headache pain can also occur in the occipital region (back of the head), ear, nose, neck, or shoulder. Cluster headaches are often associated with autonomic symptoms such as tearing, nasal congestion, or redness of the eye on the affected side. The pain is severe and comes in attacks, often at the same time each day 3568.
Other Headache Types and Locations
Secondary Headaches
Secondary headaches are caused by another medical condition, such as infection, injury, or medication overuse. The location and nature of secondary headaches can vary widely depending on the underlying cause. For example, medication-overuse headache is a common secondary headache and can present with diffuse or variable pain locations 469.
Less Common Primary Headaches
Other primary headaches include paroxysmal hemicrania, hemicrania continua, and new daily-persistent headache. These can have variable locations but often share features with the main types described above 68.
Conclusion
The most common types of headaches—migraine, tension-type, and cluster—each have characteristic pain locations and features. Migraines are usually unilateral and throbbing, tension-type headaches are bilateral and pressing, and cluster headaches are strictly unilateral, often around the eye or temple but can sometimes occur in less typical locations. Recognizing the location and nature of headache pain is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment 12345689.
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