HEADACHE LOCATION CHART

Yes, the location of a headache will tell us what type of headache it is. When we know what kind of headache it is, we can determine its root cause. It’s always important to know the root cause of a headache so we can tailor a treatment plan.

We may feel headaches in the front of our head, on one side, both sides, or in the back of our heads. 

For instance, if your headaches occur mostly around your eyes, across your cheeks and the bridge of your nose, it is probably a sinus headache. Sinus headache pain can also occur in the forehead or around the top teeth. When you have a sinus headache, it may mean you have an upper respiratory infection or some other allergy. We may treat that headache with allergy medicine, or your treatment may be as simple as avoiding foods that trigger the headache. 

Tension headaches feel like a tight band around the forehead. They may develop if you overuse headache medications. There may also be inflammation in the area. We may treat this type of headache with NSAIDs, antidepressants, or even Botox injections.

Nearly everyone has headache pain occasionally. But most headaches are not symptoms of serious medical conditions. 

However, there are times when headache pain may be a sign of something else. Here are a few signs and symptoms that will help you know when to worry about a headache:

You should be concerned about your headache if you also have:

• Sudden, very intense headache pain (a thunderclap headache)
• Severe or sharp headache pain that is not usual for you 
• A stiff neck and fever 
• A fever higher than 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit 
• A nosebleed 
• Fainting 
• Dizziness or loss of balance 
• Seizures 
• Night sweats 
• Swelling 
• An animal bite 

If you experience any of these, you should seek immediate medical attention. These are all signs of deeper, more serious medical issues. When headaches happen in conjunction with other symptoms, they are almost certainly signs of a deeper issue. 

For instance, if you experience a headache after a fall or blow to the head, you may have a concussion.

Not all headaches are created equal. Different types of headaches occur in different places and have different causes. 

The most common types of headaches are tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cluster headaches. 

Tension migraines might feel like a band tightening around your forehead. When you have a tension headache, it usually means the muscles in your neck or scalp are tight or irritated. 

Migraine headaches are moderate to severe headaches that can occur amidst many other symptoms. Doctors are not entirely sure what causes migraine headaches, but they can help you avoid them. Many people achieve relief from their migraines by avoiding trigger foods. 

Cluster headaches are the rarest of the primary headaches. This type of headache may occur in or around one eye, or on one side of the head. Headaches will likely happen close together for a few days, and then maybe not at all for several months. 

Like migraine headaches, doctors are unsure about the cause of cluster headaches. But the cycle of a cluster headache indicates that the body’s biological clock has a role to play in cluster headaches. Fortunately, these types of headaches are not life-threatening.

Pain in the back of your head could have multiple causes.

The most common headache that occurs in the back of the head is a tension headache. The cause of a tension headache is usually tightness in the muscles of your scalp or neck. You can treat this type of headache with over-the-counter pain relievers. 

A headache in the back of your head could also result from poor posture. If you slouch, you could be putting a lot of pressure on the muscles in your back, neck, and jaw. You could also be straining the nerves in that area. If you notice yourself slouching, try and stand up a little straighter. It might give you some headache relief.

You could also have arthritis in some of your upper vertebrae. This type of headache pain would get worse when you move. If you have arthritis headaches, you should talk to your doctor about treatments. 

Occipital neuralgia is a rare type of headache where there is a pain in your occipital nerves. These are nerves that run from your spinal cord up to your scalp. 

When your occipital nerves sustain an injury or become inflamed, you might feel pain in the back of your head or behind your ears. Treatment usually includes warm compresses and massages.