Headaches are a varied and common symptom of many conditions. In fact, about 15% of Australians are estimated to be taking medication for a headache at any given time (Better Health Channel 2015).

What is a Headache?

The term ‘headache’ refers to any pain in the head area (Healthdirect 2021).

Headaches vary in severity, frequency and length. The pain may be sharp, throbbing or dull, with gradual or sudden onset, and may last from less than an hour to several days (Mayo Clinic 2020).

Headaches are common because there are so many different causes (Better Health Channel 2015). In fact, the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) recognises over 200 types of headaches (The International Headache Society 2018).

Headaches are divided into two categories:

1. Primary headaches, which are not caused by an underlying illness or injury
2. Secondary headaches, which are ‘secondary’ side effects of an underlying illness or injury.

(Mayo Clinic 2020; QLD Health 2017)

A headache can be caused by anything that stimulates the pain receptors in the head or neck (Better Health Channel 2015).

Primary Headaches

Primary headaches can be related to chemical activity in the brain, nerves or blood vessels surrounding the skull, the muscles in the head and neck, or a combination of these. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to develop primary headaches (Mayo Clinic 2020). Some common types of primary headaches include:

• Cluster headache
• Migraine
• Tension headache.

(Mayo Clinic 2020)

Primary headaches may be caused by factors such as:

• Alcohol
• Certain foods (e.g. processed meats containing nitrates)
• Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
• Poor posture
• Skipping meals
• Stress.

(Mayo Clinic 2020)

Secondary Headaches

When an underlying condition or external cause activates the pain-sensitive nerves in the head, the individual may experience a secondary headache (Mayo Clinic 2020). Secondary headaches can include:

• Sinus headache
• Spinal headache (caused by low pressure or volume of cerebrospinal fluid)
• Thunderclap headache (a sudden, severe headache caused by migraine, orgasm or rapid increase of blood pressure)
• Medication headache (from overuse of pain medication)
• External compression headache (from compression-causing headwear).

(Mayo Clinic 2020; Headache Australia 2022)

There are many possible causes of secondary headaches, varying in severity. These include, but are not limited to:

• Acute sinusitis
• Blood clot
• Brain aneurysm
• Brain tumour
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Concussion
• Dehydration
• Ear infection
• Hangover
• Influenza
• Meningitis
• Stroke.

(Mayo Clinic 2020)

Please note this is not a complete list of possible causes.

Migraine

Migraine is a neurological disorder charactrised by moderate to severe headaches accompanied by nausea. It affects about 4.9 million people in Australia (Migraine & Headache Australia 2021).

Migraine headaches can last between four hours and three days. Some people might experience one or two per year, while others might have two or three per week. Women are commonly more affected than men, which is thought to be related to reduced levels of oestrogen during menstruation (Better Health Channel 2014).

Migraine Symptoms

According to diagnostic criteria from the International Headache Society, the symptoms of migraine are:

1. Pain with at least two of the following characteristics:
   • On one side of the head
   • Moderate to severe in intensity
   • Throbbing
   • Worsened by movement, and
2. At least one of the following associated symptoms:
   • Nausea
   • Vomiting
   • Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
   • Phonophobia (sensitivity to noise), and
3. A headache that lasts between 4 and 72 hours.

(Migraine & Headache Australia 2021)

Other migraine symptoms can include:

• Osmophobia (sensitivity to smell)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling generally unwell
• Issues with articulation or co-ordination
• Diarrhoea
• Stiff neck or shoulders
• Tingling, pins and needles, numbness or limb weakness
• Speech difficulties
• Motor weakness
• Vertigo.

(Migraine & Headache Australia 2021)

Migraine with Aura

Also known as ‘classic migraine’, this type of migraine is characterised by recurrent migraine symptoms accompanied or preceded by visual and sensory disturbances known as aura (Mayo Clinic 2021; Jesani & Simerson 2019).

Aura symptoms most commonly begin within an hour before migraine symptoms, though sometimes they will occur without a migraine (Mayo Clinic 2021). Aura symptoms may include:

• Blind spots
• Zigzag lines across the field of vision
• Shimmering spots or stars
• Changes in vision or vision loss
• Flashes of light
• Numbness, generally on one side of the face or one hand that slowly spreads
• Speech or language difficulty
• Muscle weakness.

(Mayo Clinic 2021)

Diagnosing Headaches

Headaches can be caused by a combination of factors and in some cases, a serious underlying issue. Recurring headaches might require tests such as scans, eye tests and sinus x-rays to determine their cause (Better Health Channel 2015). The following factors may be considered when diagnosing a headache:

• Location of the pain
• Severity of the pain
• Duration of the pain
• Other symptoms
• How often the pain recurs
• Factors that worsen and improve the pain.

(Better Health Channel 2015)

Treating Headaches

Treatment depends on the cause of the headache. If the headache is recurring, it may be triggered by a lifestyle factor or particular behaviour (QLD Health 2017). The following strategies may help to alleviate the pain:

• Relaxing in a quiet, dark space with good ventilation
• Sleeping
• Getting fresh air
• Staying hydrated
• Placing an ice pack or cool cloth on the head
• Splashing the face with cold water
• Massaging the head, neck, shoulders and jaw (for tension headaches)
• Taking appropriate analgesic medicines.

(Healthdirect 2022; QLD Health 2017)

Preventing Headaches

The following strategies may help to prevent headaches:

• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Staying hydrated
• Regular exercise
• Being in well-ventilated rooms
• Avoiding sitting or standing in one position for a long time (this can cause muscle tension)
• Avoiding caffeine, chocolate, alcohol and tobacco
• Stress-reduction strategies such as yoga, massage and meditation
• Maintaining a good posture
• Consulting an optometrist (if the headache is eye-related
• Avoiding overuse of headache medicines, which can cause ‘rebound’ headaches.

(QLD Health 2017; Healthy WA 2015)

When to Seek a Healthcare Professional

Most headaches are not serious but in rare cases can indicate a serious medical condition such as a stroke, meningitis or encephalitis (QLD Health 2017). A patient should seek medical attention if they are experiencing:

• An especially severe headache
• Difficulty seeing, speaking, walking, swallowing or understanding speech
• Confusion
• Fainting
• High fever (more than 39° C)
• Numbness, weakness or paralysis
• Stiff neck
• Persistent vomiting
• Fit or seizure
• Injury from a fall, blow or bump
• Possible poisoning from a substance, animal or plant.

(Mayo Clinic 2020; QLD Health 2017; Healthy WA 2015)