Types of Headache

Headaches are divided into primary types, which are the disease themselves, and secondary types, which have another cause.

Primary headaches

• Tension-type headache: the most common. A dull, pressing pain on both sides, often linked to stress and posture.
• Migraine: throbbing pain with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, with or without aura.
• Cluster headache: severe, one-sided pain around the eye in short, repeated attacks.
• Other primary types: such as exertional headache, cough headache and hypnic ("alarm clock") headache.

Secondary headaches

• Sinus headache: facial pressure with a blocked nose or fever. Many headaches called "sinus" are actually migraine.
• Medication-overuse headache: caused by frequent painkiller use.
• Cervicogenic headache: arising from the neck.
• Post-traumatic headache: after a head injury.
• Infection-related headache: with fever, such as in flu, dengue or meningitis.
• Hypertensive headache: with very high blood pressure.
• Eye-strain headache: from uncorrected vision or long screen use.
• Serious causes: bleeding in or around the brain, tumours and giant cell arteritis, which are uncommon but urgent.

Ayurvedic classification

Ayurveda names vataja, pittaja, kaphaja and sannipataja shirashoola, and also ardhavabhedaka for one-sided headache, similar to migraine. This is a traditional framework, not a medical diagnosis.

Key point

The type guides the treatment, so a clear diagnosis is worth getting if headaches are frequent.

Before your appointment

Keep a headache diary for a few weeks, noting when headaches start, how long they last, their location and type of pain, and possible triggers such as sleep, meals, stress, periods and screen time. List all medicines, supplements and painkillers you take and how many days a month you use them. Mention head injuries, family history, and any red flag symptoms.