Tension headaches and migraine are the two most common forms of primary headache. Medication overuse headache is a type of secondary headache and is the third most common type of headache after tension and migraine.

Tension headache

Tension headache is the most common headache disorder. The pain, often described as pressure or tightness, is usually felt on both sides of the head for anything from a few minutes to several days. The condition may be episodic or frequent, with those experiencing 15 or more occurrences each month for more than three months falling into the latter category. If it continues like this, is can become a chronic condition, having a significant impact on quality of life.

Migraine

Migraine is also quite common. The pain is usually felt on only one side of the head and may be described as throbbing. There are normally other symptoms too, such as nausea, vomiting and aversion to light and noise. The attack can last anything from an hour to three days and be occasional or recur several times a year, but it is generally quite debilitating, with sufferers finding they need to leave work or school etc. to manage it and recover. Migraine is often associated with symptoms that precede the headache, such as seeing spots or flashing lights; feeling confused, dizzy or lightheaded; and experiencing numbness, tingling or difficulty speaking or listening. This is known as migraine with aura, but is actually much less common than a migraine that does not include these features, which is called a migraine without aura.

Medication overuse headache (MOH)

Medication overuse headache (MOH) is not just caused by painkillers – paracetamol, NSAIDs and opioids such as codeine are common culprits – but also other drugs used for headaches such as triptans. The number of days that constitutes overuse also varies, from a minimum of 10 days a month for triptans, opioids and combination analgesics, to 15 or more for simple painkillers.

Other types of headache

Other types of headache are triggered by something very specific, such as hormonal changes, dehydration, eyesight problems or blocked sinuses following a cold or flu, or are relatively uncommon, such as cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are sometimes talked about because of the sudden severe pain that the individual experiences, but are actually quite rare.

Did you know?

Migraine affects three times as many women as men, with this higher rate thought to be a result of hormones.