Headache Location Meaning: Understanding Causes & Treatments

Headaches: Overview and Prevalence

A headache is a very common problem. Most people have experienced one at some point in their lives. In fact, according to the International Headache Society, National Headache Foundation, and World Health Organization, 75% of people have had a headache within the past year.

But not all headaches are the same. A headache can cause throbbing or dull pain, constant pain or pain that comes and goes, and pain all over the head or only on one side.

Please continue reading to learn more about what headache locations mean. We will also talk about symptoms of a severe headache and when to seek medical care.

What Are The Different Types Of Headache Disorders?

There are two main types of headache disorders—primary and secondary headaches.

Primary headaches occur on their own without an underlying cause. Examples of primary headaches include tension headaches and migraine headaches.

Secondary headaches occur due to some other health problem. Examples of a secondary headache include a sinus headache, a headache related to a brain tumor, or a headache which is a medication side effect.

Here are some of the symptoms of common types of headaches that can help you identify your headache:

Tension Headaches

This is the most common type of headache disorder. Tension headaches are primary headaches without any underlying cause. They typically cause mild to moderate pain that is constant without throbbing. Tension headaches occur on both sides of the head in most people. The pain can be worse with routine activities like climbing stairs, coughing, or bending over. A tension headache usually responds well to over-the-counter pain medicine.

Migraine Headaches

These are another common type of primary headaches. Migraine headaches cause moderate to severe pain that is throbbing or pounding in nature. The pain can last for several hours to days. Migraine headache sufferers often describe it as a splitting headache or their worst headache. Severe migraines can be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomachache, and light and noise sensitivity. Your healthcare provider can prescribe medicines to relieve these symptoms.

Learn more about The Most Effective Migraine Medications.

Cluster Headaches

This is the most severe type of primary headache. Cluster headaches occur 1-8 times per day in a cluster. They cause facial pain that is typically located in the eye region. The headache pain is intense, burning or stabbing in nature, and constant or throbbing. A cluster headache attack can last for anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. Cluster headaches tend to occur in the spring and fall seasons. They can go into remission (disappear) only to return again months or years later.

Sinus Headaches

This is a type of secondary headache that occurs due to sinus infection and inflammation. Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the cheeks and forehead. Common symptoms of sinus headaches include severe and constant facial pain in the forehead and cheekbones, which is worse with sudden head movements. Other symptoms of sinus headaches may include fever, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, a stuffy nose, fullness in the ears, and mucus (snot).

Medication Overuse Headaches

A medication overuse headache (also called a rebound headache) occurs due to the overuse of pain medicine for chronic headaches. Signs and symptoms of medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches include increasingly frequent headaches, more than 15 days a month with headaches, and acute headache pain that is worse in the morning.

New Daily Persistent Headaches

New daily persistent headaches start suddenly and last for 3 months or longer in people who did not have frequent or recurrent headaches previously. The headache pain is constant and persistent and typically located on both sides of the head. A new daily persistent headache tends to be unresponsive to pain relievers.

Cold-stimulus Headaches

Cold-stimulus headache, also known as ice cream headache or brain freeze, refers to intense head pain that occurs after eating something cold such as ice cream, popsicles, or frozen drinks. It can also occur from breathing very cold air. The pain lasts only a few seconds to minutes until the temperature in the mouth and throat returns to normal. An ice cream headache is not something to worry about and does not require treatment.

Thunderclap Headaches

A thunderclap headache is a sudden, severe headache that occurs without warning and causes intense pain. Many people describe it as the worst headache of their lives or like nothing they’ve ever experienced before. It’s important to seek emergency medical attention for a thunderclap headache because it can signal a life-threatening condition, such as bleeding in the brain or problems with blood vessels.

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What Do Headaches Mean Based On Location?

Generalized Headache

Generalized headaches are not localized to one side or area. The pain typically occurs all over the head. A primary headache such as a tension headache or migraine headache can be felt in the entire head. Also, a secondary headache can be generalized, such as:

Post-infection headache caused by the flu, common cold, or COVID-19.
Post-traumatic headache after brain injury (concussion).
Headaches associated with medical conditions like meningitis, brain tumors, and stroke.

Headache on One Side of the Head

Primary headaches like migraine headaches and cluster headaches are sometimes present only on one side of the head. Less commonly, conditions like hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania can cause one-sided head pain.

A secondary headache due to giant cell arteritis, cervicogenic headache (neck pain), and head trauma (brain and spinal cord injury) can also cause pain on one side of the head.

Headache in the Front of the Head

A frontal headache (located in the forehead or front of the head) can be due to a primary headache such as a tension-type headache, migraine headache, or cluster headache. Secondary headaches that can cause frontal head pain include sinus headaches and giant cell arteritis (an inflammation of the blood vessels in the head).

Headache at the Back of the Head

A tension-type headache can be localized to the back of the head. Occipital neuralgia (nerve pain), cervicogenic headache (neck pain), and spontaneous intracranial hypotension (low spinal fluid pressure) are some of the conditions that can cause a secondary headache at the back of the head. Sometimes pain at the back of the head is from neck pain and not an actual headache.

Headache Behind the Eyes

A headache behind the eyes can be from many different causes, including eye strain, sinus infections, caffeine withdrawal headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines.

Headache Across the Forehead

A headache across the forehead can be from a tension headache, sinus headache, or ice cream headache.

Headache on the Top of the Head

A headache at the top of your head can be from tension headaches and sinusitis. In addition, caffeine withdrawal headaches can start behind the eyes and spread to the top of the head. A rare neurological condition called occipital neuralgia can cause throbbing or aching pain at the base of the skull that can spread along the scalp to the sides and top of the head.

Headache in the Neck

A cervicogenic headache can cause pain in the neck. It occurs due to irritation of the cervical spinal nerves. This headache is typically present on one side of the neck and is accompanied by a reduced range of neck motion. Cervicogenic headaches can be mistaken for migraines, tension headaches, and other primary headache syndromes.

COVID-19 Headache: What Part Of Your Head Hurts With Covid?

Most people with COVID have tension-type headaches that are generalized (present on both sides of the head). A COVID headache can also consist of moderate to severe pain with pressure or pulsating sensations around the forehead, eyes, and sides of the head. People who have a history of migraine headaches may experience migraine with COVID. Migraine headaches feel like a throbbing pain on one side of the head and are accompanied by associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise.

How to Identify Different Types of Headaches

Signs and symptoms of your headache can help you and your healthcare provider identify the headache type. Make a note of the following in your headache journal:

Triggers (things that bring on the headache).
Onset (sudden or gradual).
Quality (sharp pain vs dull ache, throbbing pain vs constant ache).
Severity (mild, moderate, or severe).
Location of headache pain (generalized or in one area such as the top, sides, front, or back of the head, behind the eyes, or in the neck).
Other accompanying symptoms.
Things that worsen headache pain.
Things that make the headache better.

Common Triggers and Causes

Some of the common lifestyle factors that can trigger headaches include:

Stress, anxiety, and strong emotions like anger.
Poor posture.
Strong odors such as perfume.
Changes in weather (heat and humidity).
Bruxism (grinding teeth).
Bright lights or flickering lights (triggers for migraine headaches).
Food triggers (aged cheese, diet sodas, and processed meats are common culprits).
Cold foods (ice cream headaches).
Sex (due to pressure in the head and neck region).

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Headache

Most headaches go away by avoiding triggers or taking over-the-counter medications. However, if your headaches fall into the following categories, you should seek evaluation by a healthcare provider:

Frequent headaches that interfere with routine activities.
Three or more headaches per week.
Headaches that do not respond to pain relievers.
Headaches that require 2-3 doses of over-the-counter medications to get better.
Headaches that are worse with coughing, sneezing, bending, or strenuous physical activity.
Severe headache associated with fever, a stiff neck, or a drooping eyelid.
Headache accompanied by eye pain, vision problems, numbness, weakness, confusion, or seizures.
Headache after head injury.
Headache of sudden onset or very severe intensity.

What is the Best Treatment for Headaches?

The best treatment for your headaches depends on the cause and triggers. Keeping a headache log can help you identify triggers and reduce the number of headaches you get. For example, you can prevent migraines by avoiding triggers such as sensory stimuli or certain foods.

Healthcare providers can tailor headache treatment based on the cause of your headaches. For instance, a sinus headache may be relieved by taking a decongestant. Other headache types, such as tension headaches, usually respond well to an over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). In addition to over-the-counter pain relievers, a tension-type headache caused by stress and muscle tension may benefit from counseling and stress management.

Some types of headaches require treatment with prescription medications. There is a range of options available, including headache medicines like triptans.

At-Home and Alternative Therapies

Self-care measures for headache relief include getting enough sleep, staying well hydrated, stress management, and aerobic exercise. Good posture and changing your sleeping position or pillow might benefit some headache types.

Alternative therapies for headaches include magnesium supplementation, acupressure and acupuncture, biofeedback and relaxation, and green light therapy. Check with your doctor before trying any alternative or complementary therapies for a headache disorder.

Headache Location FAQs

Where is a Stress Headache Located?

Stress headaches are also called tension headaches. They are usually located on both sides of the head. Stress headaches (tension headaches) are also sometimes called hatband headaches because they cause pain around the forehead, temples, and back of the head, like wearing a tight hat. The pain can feel like a tight band or vice around the head and may spread to the neck and shoulders.

Where is a Dehydration Headache?

Dehydration headaches occur when there aren’t enough fluids in your body. The pain can be generalized (all over the head) or focal (in one spot in the front, sides, or back of the head). Headache due to dehydration can range in severity from mild to severe, be a dull ache or sharp pain, and be pounding throbbing headaches or constant pain. Dehydration headache pain may get worse with shaking the head, bending over, or walking.

Where is a TMJ Headache Located?

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders can cause pain in the jaw joint and jaw muscles, which can spread to other parts of the head and neck. TMJ headaches can be difficult to distinguish from tension headaches. However, a TMJ headache usually causes more intense pain on the side where the TMJ issue is present. It can be accompanied by symptoms such as tight jaw muscles, clicking and popping of the jaw, grinding or crackling sounds with jaw movement, and earache.