While the location of a headache can serve as a starting point for determining the root of the issue, where a person’s head hurts is not a foolproof method of diagnosing the cause. Headaches of different types can show up in similar locations so how it feels, will also help narrow down the plan for dealing with the pain and deciding when to seek a doctor for treatment.
Common Types of Headaches by Location
The common headaches people typically suffer from are migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are less frequent but occur five times more often in men.
Location of Pain
Back of the neck or head
-Tension-type headaches
-Migraines
-Upper spinal arthritis
-Occipital neuralgia
Top of the head “Hair band” area
-Tension-type headaches
-Migraines
-Occipital neuralgia
-Very high blood pressure (rare)
-Aneurysms/hemorrhagic strokes (rare)
Behind both eyes, Cheeks and Forehead
-Tension-type headaches
-Migraines
-Cluster headaches
-Sinus infections
Behind one eye
-Cluster headaches
-Migraines
-Occipital neuralgia
-Eye infections
-Aneurysms (rare)
Temples
-Tension-type headaches
-Migraines
-Cluster headaches
-Temporal arteritis (more prevalent in elderly)
-Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Around the ears
-Ear infection (more prevalent in children)
-Occipital neuralgia
-Sinus infection
-TMJ
-Dental problems
-Mastoiditis
One side of the head
-Migraines
-Cluster headaches
-Hemicrania continua (rare)
-Aneurysm (rare)
Hurts everywhere/Cannot Isolate
-Tension-type headaches
-Migraines
-Sinus infections
Also Categorize the Type of Pain
A dull ache that does not throb or when the head is tender when touched, is likely a tension headache. Tension headaches are quite common and can be triggered by a variety of things, including:
* Lack of sleep
* Stress
* Allergies
* Eyestrain
* Caffeine withdrawal
* Hormonal changes
* Trauma or an injury
* Prolonged physical exertion or exercise
* Alcohol (hangover)
* Dehydration or hunger
* Frozen palate
* Prolonged use of medication
* High altitude
* Temporomandibular joint issues
If pain is throbbing, lasts a while, or is accompanied by vision changes or nausea, it is probably due to a migraine. Lights, noises, and smells can all exacerbate a migraine. They can occur on one or both sides of the head and while not common, could cause nasal congestion or discharge that could be mistaken for a sinus infection. Typically, migraines are triggered by the same factors when they occur so recognizing the things that trigger them, is key to avoiding them.
While much less common, migraine-like symptoms can also be cause by other issues like:
* Autoimmune diseases like giant cell arteritis can lead to joint pain, pain in the face/forehead, and vision issues that can be permanent.
* Hemicrania continua, a headache on one side that will not go away.
* Brain tumors
If pain is searing, sharp, one-sided and comes on fast but does not last long, is likely a cluster headache. This is particularly true if it occurs over and over at roughly the same time for multiple days. Cluster headaches often run in families and can also cause nasal congestion, discharge, and make the patient sweat. Some patients also have difficulty sitting still during an outbreak.
A headache that accompanies cold-like symptoms, pressure, or facial tenderness, is likely due to a sinus headache. These are not as common as people think and are often confused with other types.