Skip to main content

Types of Headaches

A comparison of different types of headaches: cluster, tension, and migraine; their trigger points; and their symptoms.

Video transcript

Headaches are common at any age. There are three basic types: tension, cluster, and migraine headaches.

Tension headaches brought on by stress and emotional strain are the most common. Pain is usually felt on both sides of the head, at the temples or back of the head and neck.

Less common are cluster headaches, which are marked by severe, one-sided pain that comes back in episodes or clusters over weeks or months. They start in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is more active during the headache. These debilitating headaches run in families.

Migraine headaches also run in families. They are often confused with sinus headaches but differ in the following ways. Migraines often start quickly, sometimes with visual disturbances called auras before the headache. The pain worsens rapidly and usually resolves within 72 hours. Migraines often occur more than once a month.

Recommended videos

Emergency Contraceptive Pills: The Basics of How to Use

A brief discussion of Plan B One Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice, and generic levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills: how to use them, where to obtain, and dosing information.

Abdominal crunch

The abdominal crunch is a classic core-strength exercise. See how it's done.

Bridge with fitness ball

You can do many core exercises with a fitness ball. See the bridge.

Zoloft (sertraline): Mechanism, Clinical Trials, and Dosing

An overview of how sertraline works in depression, clinical study data, and general dosing tips

Teaching Kids About Using Medicine Safely

Kids grow up fast. As they do we teach them as much as we can about safety. Watch this video for tips from an FDA pediatrician on teaching older kids about using medicine safely.

Browse by category

By medication