Key Takeaways:
- Headache location can indicate various underlying conditions, from common tension headaches to rare disorders, affecting daily life and overall health.
- Different headache locations (top, side, behind eyes) often correspond to specific types (tension, migraine, sinus), helping guide proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Addressing chronic headaches, especially sinus-related, can significantly improve quality of life, with specialized treatments offering long-term relief beyond over-the-counter options.
What is Your Headache Trying to Tell You?
You can't focus during a meeting, you dread picking the kids up after school, and your date night sounds awful. You’ve got another headache. And once again, it’s interfering with your life. ADVENT is here to explain what the location of your headache is telling you and what you can do to finally find some relief.
What Exactly is a Headache?
Well, a headache is self-explanatory…but technically, a headache occurs when the pain-sensitive structures in your head are stimulated by over-activity or underlying disease.
Headaches can vary widely in intensity and duration, ranging from mild, occasional discomfort to severe, persistent pain that can significantly impact daily activities. Understanding the underlying causes and specific characteristics of your headache can help you manage and treat them effectively.
Headache Locations and Their Meanings
While there is a myriad of reasons for a headache, here's what the location of your headache is telling you:
Headaches on the Top of the Head
Headaches that occur on the top of the head are typically a result of tension headaches, which are the most common. Associated with a dull pain, tightness or constant pressure around the head, they are triggered by things like a change in diet, poor sleep habits, change in activity, or stress.
Headaches at the Back of the Head
Back-of-the-head headaches are also a source of tension headaches, especially if you're experiencing neck or spinal muscle spasms. Headaches in the back of the head may also be a result of poor posture.
Headaches on the Side of the Head
Pain on the side of the head is a good indicator of a migraine. Migraines are triggered by hormones, diet, caffeine or stress. If the pain is severe and continues daily or weekly, it may be a result of a cluster headache, commonly associated with allergies or stress.
Side-of-the-head headaches are also brought on by tension headaches, inducing pressure and pain.
Headaches Behind the Eye
Headaches that occur behind the eye are another sign of migraine. If you're experiencing pain behind both eyes, it may be a symptom of infection in the Ethmoid or Sphenoid sinus cavity - a sign you may need more than medication to find relief.
Headaches in the Front of the Head
If you're experiencing a headache located in the forehead, it may be another sign of a tension headache. If the pain is only affecting one side of the forehead it may be an indicator of a migraine or cluster headache. Forehead headaches are also commonly caused by infection of the frontal sinus. Frequent headaches in this area are a sign you may need more than medication to find relief.
Unique Headache Locations and Rare Causes
Understanding the typical locations and causes of your headaches can significantly aid in diagnosis and treatment. While common headache locations such as the front, side, or back of your head often point to well-known conditions like tension headaches, migraines, or sinus issues, there are also unique and less frequent headache locations that can provide critical insights into more rare and specific underlying causes. By exploring these unique headache locations, you can better recognize and address your symptoms, leading to more effective management and relief.
Headaches in the Temples
Temporal headaches may indicate a tension headache, migraine, or something far less common — temporal arteritis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the temples. If you’re having a temporal headache caused by temporal arteritis, possible symptoms may be tenderness in the scalp, jaw pain, and vision problems. This condition requires prompt medical attention to prevent complications 1.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are characterized by severe, debilitating pain around or behind your eye, often accompanied by symptoms such as redness, watering of the eyes, nasal congestion, and eyelid drooping. These headaches occur in cycles or clusters, with frequent attacks followed by periods of remission. Cluster headaches are rare but significantly more common in men than women. Triggers can include alcohol, smoking, bright light, and certain foods 2.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from issues in the neck, often resulting from neck injuries, arthritis, or poor posture. The pain typically starts at the back of your head and can radiate to the front, often accompanied by neck stiffness and discomfort. This type of headache is linked to abnormalities in the neck, such as herniated discs or bone spurs.3
Headaches in the Ears
Headaches centered around the ears may indicate that you have a middle or inner ear infection. These are usually accompanied by symptoms like ear pain, hearing loss, and fluid drainage from the ear.
Understanding the specific location and characteristics of your headache can provide valuable clues about its underlying causes, which can range from common tension headaches to more rare and serious conditions.
How Headache Location Influences Treatment
Treatment for your headache depends on the type of headache you're experiencing and can vary anywhere between over-the-counter medications, hot or cold compresses and sleep, to prescription medications. If you are experiencing temporary or constant headaches, please consult with a medical professional.
Treating Your Headaches
Treatment for your headache depends on the type of headache you're experiencing and can vary anywhere between over-the-counter medications, hot or cold compresses and sleep, to prescription medications. If you are experiencing temporary or constant headaches, please consult with a medical professional.
Treating Sinus Headaches with ADVENT
While sinus headaches may be confused with migraines or tension headaches, they are common if you suffer from sinusitis or have issues within The Breathing Triangle®.
Not to worry, there are many simple in-office solutions for you to solve your chronic sinus headaches. In fact, ADVENT has helped over 39,000 people get to the root of their sinus and sleep issues for good.
Think your headache issues are related to your sinuses? The first step is to get evaluated by a sleep and sinus specialist at ADVENT. Schedule your appointment here.
Sources:
1: Beabout, L. (2023, December 13). Headache locations and meanings. The Checkup. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/headache-locations/
2: Cedars-Sinai. (n.d.). Cluster headaches. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cluster-headaches.html
3: Practical Neurology. (2021, May). Occipital neuralgia & cervicogenic headache. Retrieved from https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2021-may/occipital-neuralgia-cervicogenic-headache