The Headache Center

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Headache Types Print E-mail
 Migraine  Tension  Sinus  Cluster
Quality
  • Throbbing or pulsating pain
  • Worse with physical activity
  • Pressing or squeezing pain, like a tight band around the head
  • Tightness of head and neck muscles
  • Improves with activity
  • Dull ache or pressure
  • Stabbing pain (ice pick)
Intensity
  • Moderate to severe
  • Mild to moderate
  • Mild to moderate
  • Severe
Location
  • Often worse on one side
  • Whole head and neck
  • Face and forehead
  • Around one eye
Duration
  • 4 to 72 hours
  • Hours to days
  • Hours to days
  • 15 minutes to 3 hours
  • Multiple attacks during day and night
Associated
Symptoms
  • Nausea or vomiting
    Visual problems
  • Flashing lights or blind spot
  • Light and noise sensitivity
  • No nausea or vomiting
  • No visual change
  • Runny nose
  • Postnasal drip
  • Tearing
  • Runny nose
  • Droopy eyelid on side of headache
Frequency
  • Episodic attacks
  • Daily
  • Daily, precipitated by weather changes
  • Daily in a cluster for 4–8 weeks
Female:Male
Ratio
  • 3:1
  • F> M
  • F= M
  • 1:3

 

For All Headaches, You Should Be More Concerned and Seek Care Immediately If:

  • Your headache is different from or significantly worse than any headache you ever had before
  • You feel confused or drowsy
  • Your neck feels stiff
  • Your temperature rises very high
  • You have eye problems such as blurred or double vision
 
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