Home > Health Library > Types of Headache
It can be hard for your doctor to tell
whether you have migraine headaches, tension headaches,
sinus headaches, cluster headaches, or a combination of these types. The symptoms of these headaches are
often the same, and no test can diagnose headaches.
Listing a few key features of your headaches may
help your doctor find out what type of headache you have. This can help your
doctor treat your headaches.
For example, you
may think that your headaches are sinus headaches. But if they happen often and
interfere with your daily life, they probably are migraines. A true sinus
headache is caused by a sinus infection.
Where the pain
the pain is
that make it worse
Usually on one side of your head with pressure
behind one eye
Throbbing, pulsating headache that is moderate
Pain gets worse with normal physical
Around your eyes, cheekbones, forehead, and
bridge of the nose
Deep and constant headache pain
Leaning over, sudden movement, or exercising may
make the headache worse.
On both sides or all over your
Deep, pressing, tightening headache that does
not throb or pulse and is mild to moderate
Physical activity does not make headache
On one side of the face, head, or
neck; does not switch
Piercing pain that gets very bad very fast, usually
within 5 to 10 minutes
Lying down makes it worse.
Current as of:
March 12, 2014
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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