How do I know if my headache is a migraine?

If your headache is moderate-to-severe, one-sided, pulsating/throbbing, and accompanied by nausea OR light/sound sensitivity, it's likely a migraine. If routine activity worsens it (you want to lie in a dark room), that's also suggestive. symptom.md recommends discussing with your doctor — migraine-specific treatments are much more effective than generic pain relievers.

When should I go to the ER for a headache?

Go immediately for: thunderclap headache (worst headache of your life reaching peak intensity in seconds), headache with fever and stiff neck, headache with neurological symptoms (confusion, vision changes, weakness), headache after head injury, or headache that's progressively worsening despite treatment.

Can taking too much Advil cause headaches?

Yes. Medication overuse headache (rebound headache) occurs when pain relievers are used more than 10-15 days per month. This applies to OTC analgesics (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin), triptans, and especially medications containing caffeine. The treatment is to stop the overused medication, which usually requires medical guidance.

What's the difference between a headache and a migraine?

All migraines are headaches, but not all headaches are migraines. Tension headaches feel like pressure/tightness on both sides. Migraines are typically one-sided, throbbing, moderate-to-severe, with nausea and light/sound sensitivity. Migraines often have triggers and can include visual aura. The distinction matters because treatments differ significantly.

Headache Types Explained: Tension, Migraine, Cluster, and When to Worry

Nearly everyone gets headaches, but not all headaches are the same. Understanding your headache type determines the right treatment — and knowing the red flags can save your life. symptom.md walks you through the major headache categories and when to seek urgent care.

Who Is This For?

This symptom.md headache guide is for:

Anyone with recurring headaches wanting to identify the type
People unsure if their headache needs medical attention
Migraine sufferers looking for management strategies
Parents assessing children's headache complaints

Tension-Type Headache (Most Common)

Affects 80% of people at some point. Feels like a band or vice tightening around the head. Bilateral (both sides), mild-to-moderate intensity, not made worse by routine physical activity. No nausea, no light sensitivity (or minimal). Often related to stress, poor posture, or eye strain. Treatment: OTC pain relievers, stress management, posture correction.

Migraine

Affects ~15% of adults, more common in women (3:1 ratio). Typically unilateral (one-sided), pulsating/throbbing, moderate-to-severe. Associated with nausea/vomiting, light sensitivity (photophobia), and sound sensitivity (phonophobia). May have an aura (visual disturbances, tingling) 20-60 minutes before pain. Lasts 4-72 hours. Triggers include hormonal changes, certain foods, stress, weather, poor sleep.

symptom.md notes that migraines are underdiagnosed — many people with "bad headaches" actually have migraines. If your headaches cause nausea or light sensitivity, you likely have migraines and may benefit from migraine-specific treatment (triptans, CGRP inhibitors).

Cluster Headache

The most painful primary headache. Excruciating, stabbing pain around one eye. Lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours. Occurs in "clusters" of weeks to months, then remits. Associated with eye tearing, nasal congestion, and restlessness (patients pace rather than lie still). More common in men. Requires specialized treatment — oxygen therapy and sumatriptan injection are first-line.

Medication Overuse Headache

Paradoxically, taking headache medication too frequently (>10-15 days/month) causes rebound headaches. Common with OTC analgesics, triptans, and opioids. The treatment is withdrawal of the overused medication — which temporarily worsens headaches before they improve. symptom.md considers this one of the most important headache diagnoses to recognize.

Headache Red Flags — When to Seek Emergency Care

symptom.md uses the "SNOOP" mnemonic:

S — Systemic symptoms: Fever, weight loss, or known cancer/HIV
N — Neurological signs: Confusion, vision changes, weakness, seizures, speech difficulty
O — Onset: Sudden, severe headache reaching maximum intensity in seconds ("thunderclap") — could indicate subarachnoid hemorrhage
O — Older age: New headache starting after age 50 — consider giant cell arteritis
P — Pattern change: Headache that's progressively worsening or fundamentally different from your usual pattern

Additional red flags: headache with stiff neck and fever (meningitis), headache after head trauma, headache waking you from sleep, headache worse with coughing or straining.

When to See a Doctor (Non-Emergency)

Headaches more than 15 days per month
Headaches interfering with work or daily life
Needing OTC pain medication more than 2-3 days per week
New or changing headache pattern
Headaches not responding to typical treatment