Understanding the problem

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

Tension-type headache

This is the most common type of headache. The pain, often described as pressure or tightness, is usually felt on both sides of the head. It is estimated that frequent tension headaches affect a third of adults. The term chronic tension-type headache is used if the headache occurs on 15 or more days a month and lasts for more than three months at a time. Chronic tension-type headache can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. 

Migraine

Migraine is also common, and affects women more than men. 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 an aversion to light and noise. A migraine can last from several hours to three days and be occasional or recur several times a year. Migraines can be debilitating and people may need to leave work or school to manage their symptoms 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.