What are the most common types of secondary headaches?

 

Secondary headaches are a symptom of something else that is going on in your body. If the trigger of your secondary headache is ongoing, your headaches can become chronic. Treating the primary cause generally brings headache relief.

Allergy or sinus headache

Headaches sometimes happen as a result of an allergic reaction. The pain from these headaches is often focused in your sinus area and the front of your head.

Migraine is sometimes misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. People with chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis are susceptible to these headaches.

Hormone headache

People who menstruate may experience headaches that are linked to hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation, using birth control pills, and pregnancy all affect estrogen levels, which can cause a headache.

Those headaches associated with the menstrual cycle are also known as menstrual migraine. These can occur between 3 days beforeTrusted Source your period to the third day of your period and during ovulation.

Caffeine headache

Caffeine affects blood flow to your brain. Too much can give you a headache, as can quitting caffeine “cold turkey.” People who have frequent migraine headaches are at risk of triggering a headache due to caffeine use.

When you’re used to exposing your brain to a certain amount of caffeine, a stimulant, each day, you might get a headache if you don’t get caffeine. This may be because caffeine changes your brain chemistry, and withdrawal can trigger a headache.

Exertion headache

Exertion headaches happen quickly after periods of intense physical activity. Weightlifting, running, and sexual intercourse are all common triggers for an exertion headache. It’s thought that these activities cause increased blood flow to your skull, leading to a throbbing headache on both sides of your head.

An exertion headache shouldn’t last too long. This type of headache usually resolves within a few minutesTrusted Source or several hours.

These headaches may also occur due to a secondary cause. If this type of headache is new to you or lasts longer, it may be best to seek medical attention for a diagnosis.

Hypertension headache

High blood pressure can cause a headache. This kind of headache signals an emergency. It occurs in some people when the blood pressure becomes dangerously high (greater than 180/120). In most cases, hypertension does not cause a headache.

A hypertension headache usually occurs on both sides of your head and is typically worse with any activity. It often has a pulsating quality.

Medical emergency

If you think you’re experiencing a hypertension headache, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

• changes in vision
• numbness or tingling
• nosebleeds
• chest pain
• shortness of breath

You’re more likely to develop this type of headache if you’re treating high blood pressure.

Medication overuse headache

Medication overuse headaches, also known as rebound headaches, can feel like a dull, tension-type headache, or they may feel more intensely painful, like a migraine episode.

You may be more susceptible to this type of headache if you frequently use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Overuse of these medications leads to more headaches rather than fewer.

These headaches are likelier to occur anytime OTC medications are used more than 15 days a month. These OTC medications include:

• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• aspirin
• naproxen

They’re also more common with medications that contain caffeine.

Post-traumatic headache

Post-traumatic headaches can develop after any head injury. These headaches feel like tension headaches or migraine episodes. They usually last up to 6 to 12 monthsTrusted Source after your injury occurs. They can become chronic.

Spinal headache

A spinal headache results from low cerebrospinal fluid pressure following a lumbar puncture. For this reason, it’s also known as a post-dural puncture headache. You might feel this headache in your:

• forehead
• temples
• upper neck
• back of the head

Research estimates that spinal headaches follow a lumbar puncture between 10 and 40%Trusted Source of the time. Onset usually begins within 2 to 3 days but could start several months later. It can also occur following an epidural or spontaneously.

This headache typicallyTrusted Source worsens when you are upright and improves when you lie down.

Other symptoms of spinal headache include:

• nausea
• neck pain
• dizziness
• visual changes
• tinnitus or ringing in the ears
• hearing loss
• radiating pain in the arms