Headache Summary Almost everyone has had a headache. Headache is the most common form of pain. It’s a major reason people miss days at work or school or visit the doctor. The most common type of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are due to tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw. They are often related to stress, depression or anxiety. You are more likely to get tension headaches if you work too much, don’t get enough sleep, miss meals, or use alcohol. Other common types of headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Most people can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax and taking pain relievers. Not all headaches require a doctor’s attention. But sometimes headaches warn of a more serious disorder. Let your health care provider know if you have sudden, severe headaches. Get medical help right away if you have a headache after a blow to your head, or if you have a headache along with a stiff neck, fever, confusion, loss of consciousness, or pain in the eye or ear. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Treatments and Therapies Acute Therapy: Why Not Over-The-Counter or Other Nonspecific Options? American Headache Society Headache Treatment in Adults (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Headaches and Complementary Health Approaches National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health What Are Nerve Blocks for Headache? 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Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Occipital Neuralgia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Paroxysmal Hemicrania National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Rebound Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Secondary Headaches American Headache Society, Committee on Headache Education Sex Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Sinus Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Spinal Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research SUNCT Headache (Short-Lasting, Unilateral, Neuralgiform with Conjunctival Injection and Tearing) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Tension Headache Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Thunderclap Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Find an Expert American Headache Society, Committee on Headache Education American Headache Society, Committee on Headache Education Find a Healthcare Professional American Headache Society, Committee on Headache Education National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Cluster Headache National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Headache National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Headache Disorders National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Tension Headache National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Tension-Type Headache National Institutes of Health Array Cluster headache Headache Headaches American Academy of Family Physicians Headaches — danger signs Managing tension headaches at home Tension headache Start Here Headache National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Headache Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Headache: Hope through Research National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Headaches American Academy of Family Physicians Health Check Tools Headache DSHI Systems Recurrent Headaches DSHI Systems Encyclopedia Headache – what to ask your doctor Diagnosis and Tests Headache Causes and Diagnosis in Adults (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Imaging: Do I Need an Imaging Study for My Headache? 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