Headache Causes: Why Your Brain Signals Pain & What to Do Next

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints worldwide. Almost everyone experiences one at some point. But understanding headache causes can help you respond wisely instead of worrying unnecessarily.

Despite what it feels like, your brain itself does not feel pain. Instead, headaches happen when pain-sensitive structures around the brain become irritated or activated. These include blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and tissues in the head and neck.

Let's break down what causes headaches, why they happen, and what medical experts recommend you do next.

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Why Do Headaches Happen?

Your brain is surrounded by:

• Blood vessels
• Nerves
• Muscles in the scalp and neck
• Sinuses
• The protective lining of the brain (meninges)

When something triggers inflammation, muscle tension, chemical changes, or nerve irritation in these areas, your body sends a pain signal. That signal is what you feel as a headache.

Headaches are usually divided into two categories:

1. Primary headaches – The headache itself is the main problem.
2. Secondary headaches – The headache is a symptom of another condition.

Understanding this difference is key when evaluating headache causes.

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Most Common Primary Headache Causes

Primary headaches are not caused by another disease. They include tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.

1. Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common of all headache causes.

They typically feel like:

• A dull, aching pain
• Pressure across the forehead
• Tightness around the head or back of the neck
• Mild to moderate intensity

Common triggers include:

• Stress
• Poor posture
• Muscle tension
• Eye strain
• Lack of sleep
• Dehydration

These headaches often build slowly and affect both sides of the head.

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2. Migraine

Migraines are more than "just bad headaches." They are a neurological condition involving changes in brain chemicals and nerve pathways.

Migraine pain is often:

• Throbbing or pulsating
• On one side of the head
• Moderate to severe
• Worsened by movement

Other symptoms may include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Visual changes (aura)
• Fatigue

Common migraine headache causes and triggers include:

• Hormonal changes
• Certain foods
• Stress
• Weather shifts
• Skipped meals
• Sleep disruption

If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to understand whether they align with migraine patterns, Ubie's free AI-powered Migraine Symptom Checker can help you evaluate your symptoms in just a few minutes.

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3. Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are less common but very intense.

They:

• Cause severe pain around one eye
• Occur in cycles (clusters)
• Can wake you from sleep
• May cause tearing or nasal congestion on one side

These headaches require medical care and targeted treatment.

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Secondary Headache Causes

Secondary headaches happen because of another underlying issue. Many are mild, but some can be serious.

1. Sinus Problems

Sinus infections or inflammation can cause:

• Pressure in the forehead or cheeks
• Facial pain
• Congestion
• Worsening pain when bending forward

True sinus headaches are usually accompanied by clear signs of infection.

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2. Dehydration

Even mild dehydration can trigger headaches.

You may also notice:

• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Dark urine

Increasing fluid intake often helps resolve this quickly.

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3. Medication Overuse

Ironically, frequent use of headache medication can cause rebound headaches.

This can happen if:

• Pain relievers are used more than 10–15 days per month
• Headaches become more frequent over time

A doctor can help safely manage this pattern.

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4. High Blood Pressure

Severely elevated blood pressure can cause headaches, although mild hypertension usually does not.

Seek urgent care if headache is accompanied by:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Vision changes
• Confusion

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5. Head Injury

A headache after hitting your head should never be ignored.

Watch for:

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Worsening pain
• Drowsiness
• Balance problems

These may signal a concussion or bleeding.

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6. Infections

Certain infections can cause headache, including:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• Meningitis

Meningitis is rare but serious. It typically includes:

• Fever
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion

If these symptoms appear together, seek emergency medical care.

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What Happens in the Brain During a Headache?

Depending on the type, headache causes may involve:

• Inflammation of blood vessels
• Changes in serotonin levels
• Activation of the trigeminal nerve
• Muscle contraction in the scalp or neck
• Increased pressure in surrounding tissues

For example:

• Migraines involve nerve signaling changes and inflammation.
• Tension headaches often involve muscle tightness and stress response.
• Cluster headaches may involve the hypothalamus (a brain region regulating sleep and circadian rhythm).

Understanding this can reassure you: pain does not automatically mean something catastrophic is happening.

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Common Lifestyle Triggers

Many headache causes are related to daily habits.

Watch for patterns involving:

• Poor sleep
• Skipped meals
• Caffeine overuse or withdrawal
• Alcohol
• Stress overload
• Bright screens
• Loud noise
• Strong smells

Keeping a headache diary can help identify triggers.

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When Should You See a Doctor?

Most headaches are not dangerous. However, certain warning signs require immediate evaluation.

Seek urgent care if you experience:

• A sudden, severe "worst headache of your life"
• Headache after a head injury
• Fever and stiff neck
• Confusion or slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness
• Vision loss
• Seizures

You should also speak to a doctor if:

• Headaches are increasing in frequency
• Pain interferes with daily life
• Over-the-counter medications stop working
• You need medication more than twice a week
• Headaches change in pattern or intensity

Doctors may evaluate with:

• Physical and neurological exam
• Blood pressure check
• Imaging (CT or MRI) if needed
• Blood tests in certain cases

Most patients do not need brain scans. Testing is guided by symptoms.

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How Headaches Are Treated

Treatment depends on the specific headache causes.

Options may include:

For Tension Headaches:

• Stress management
• Physical therapy
• Posture correction
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (as directed)

For Migraine:

• Prescription migraine medications
• Preventive medications
• Lifestyle adjustments
• Avoiding known triggers

For Secondary Headaches:

• Treating the underlying condition
• Hydration
• Blood pressure control
• Antibiotics (if bacterial infection)

Never ignore recurring headaches. Proper diagnosis leads to better control.

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Can Headaches Be Prevented?

In many cases, yes.

Helpful strategies include:

• Maintaining regular sleep
• Drinking enough water
• Eating balanced meals on schedule
• Managing stress
• Limiting alcohol
• Monitoring caffeine intake
• Regular exercise
• Taking screen breaks

For chronic migraine sufferers, preventive medication may significantly reduce attacks.

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The Bottom Line on Headache Causes

Most headaches are common and manageable. They are usually caused by muscle tension, stress, dehydration, or migraine-related nerve activity—not something life-threatening.

However, certain warning signs should never be ignored.

If you're uncertain whether your symptoms could be related to migraines, try Ubie's free Migraine Symptom Checker for a quick, personalized assessment based on your specific symptoms.

Most importantly:

If your headache is severe, sudden, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms, speak to a doctor immediately. Prompt evaluation can rule out serious conditions and give you peace of mind.

Understanding headache causes empowers you to take the right next step—calmly, confidently, and safely.