Headaches can be debilitating and are one of the most common neurological complaints among patients. If a headache has an unknown cause, it is called a primary headache. However, if the headache is caused by an underlying condition it is called a secondary headache. Most patients that experience headaches have primary headaches and can be further divided into:

• Tension-type headaches,
• Migraine headaches, or 
• Cluster headaches

There are other primary headaches, but the ones mentioned above are the most experienced. Even though some symptoms overlap between the types of headache, there are some symptoms that are characteristic.

See below for the key characteristics of primary headaches:

TENSION-TYPE

• Involves both sides of the head
• Pressure or squeezing around the head
• Comes and goes, relatively dull
• No specific duration

MIGRAINE

• Generally one-sided
• Throbbing
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Might cause sensitivity to light/ sound
• Can last between 4 to 72 hours

CLUSTER

• Always one-sided
• Burning or stabbing sensation behind the eye or around the temple
• Begins quickly and intensifies in minutes
• Can last between 30 minutes to 3 hours

Treatment Types

Treatment options will depend on the type of headache. For example, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or naproxen might be helpful at relieving the pain. If you are experiencing frequent and severe headaches, visit your primary care provider and explain the symptoms and frequency. This will help prevent taking too many OTC medications, which can ironically lead to another type of headache (medication-overuse headache). Frequency, duration, and severity of the headache will determine further treatment plans by your provider. 

If your primary care provider has determined that you should receive prescribed medication, there are two categories of treatment available:

• Acute treatment: a medication used to relieve the pain of a headache immediately.
• Preventive treatment: a medication taken regularly for headaches.
  

Lifestyle Changes

Some adjustments to your daily life might help in reducing the frequency of headaches:

• 
  Quit smoking, if applicable
• Reduce daily intake of alcohol
• Avoid or decrease caffeine intake 
• Sleep and eat on regular schedules
• Exercise regularly
• Use relaxation techniques
• Keep a headache diary to help you identify your headache triggers

References:

https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(17)30932-4/fulltext

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29322494/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24784123/

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003024.htm#:~:text=A%20headache%20is%20pain%20or,and%20sometimes%20by%20taking%20medicines