Headaches are a common type of pain that may come about for countless reasons. You can more effectively relieve a headache if you know its origin. For many people, this is the greatest mystery surrounding their headache but tracking symptoms can often lead to clues that help you recognize when a headache is about to come on and how to prevent it.
There are three main classifications of headaches: primary, secondary and other.
- Primary headaches aren’t a symptom of another disorder. They are the primary health complaint-related disorder.
- Secondary headaches are caused another condition including physical or mental trauma, stress, and psychological conditions.
- Other headaches are headaches that don’t fit into other categories. Tend to be nerve pain located around the head.
Primary Headaches:
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/21.png)
Episodic Headaches Caused by Tension
This is likely the most common type of headache. We all get headaches from tension and stress.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20.png)
Chronic Headaches
Describes a headache or pain that is persistent.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/22.png)
When Muscles Contract Pains Are Felt in the Head
This type of headache is common with neck pain and head neck and shoulders tension.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/23.png)
Migraines With an Aura
Strong intense headaches with visual blurriness, discoloration or similar type of aura.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/24.png)
Migraine headaches without aura
This is an intense headache that does not produce a visual aura.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/25.png)
Cluster Headache
More Common in Men, this headache is felt typically on one side of the head and in clusters. Individuals may also get a runny nose and feel the pain more intensely in one eye.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/26.png)
paroxysmal hemicrania (a type of cluster headache)
This cluster headache may feel like boring into the head and is typically felt on one side.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/27.png)
Cough headache
This headache appears while or after you cough.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/29.png)
Stabbing Headache
Just as it sounds, this type of primary headache feels like stabbing in the head.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/28.png)
Headache after sexual intercourse
This unfortunate experience of pain comes after sexual intercourse.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/30.png)
Thunderclap Headache
It is an extremely painful headache that appears “out of nowhere” for seemingly no reason. The pain can last for 5 minutes and longer.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/31.png)
Hypnic Headaches
This type of headache is so-called as it wakes people from out of their sleep.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/32.png)
Hemicrania continua
This constant headache is felt strongly on either the left or the right-hand side.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/33.png)
New daily persistent headache (NDPH)
A New Daily Persistent Headache is a primary headache disorder. Unknown cause of daily headaches.
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/34.png)
Headache from Exertion
This is a common experience for when you have over-exerted yourself or exerted yourself heavily. Dehydration may also be the cause.
Secondary Headaches:
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/36.png)
Disorders, structural problems in the face, infections, and other types of trauma (both physical and mental) can cause secondary headaches.
Other Headaches:
![](https://www.painhacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/35.png)
Trigeminal neuralgia and other cranial nerve pains
This type of pain is described as a burning along the head and the neck and is not considered to be a primary or secondary headache. The level of intensity does vary.