Headaches
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Dr. Prem Pillay , Singapore Brain Spine Nerves Center, Singapore
Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon with super speciality training in Neurosurgical Oncology
(Fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Hospital, U of Texas, USA)
Your headache symptoms can help your doctor determine its cause and the appropriate treatment. Most headaches aren’t the result of a serious illness, but some may result from a life-threatening condition requiring emergency care.
Headaches are generally classified by cause:
Primary headaches:
A primary headache is caused by overactivity of or problems with pain-sensitive structures in your head. A primary headache isn’t a symptom of an underlying disease.
Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels surrounding your skull, or the muscles of your head and neck (or some combination of these factors) can play a role in primary headaches. Some people may also carry genes that make them more likely to develop such headaches.
The most common primary headaches are:
Cluster headache
Migraine
Migraine with aura
Tension headache
Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), such as cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania
A few headache patterns also are generally considered types of primary headache, but are less common. These headaches have distinct features, such as an unusual duration or pain associated with a certain activity.
Although generally considered primary, each could be a symptom of an underlying disease. They include:
Chronic daily headaches (for example, chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, or hemicranias continua)
Cough headaches
Exercise headaches
Sex headaches
Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, including:
Alcohol, particularly red wine
Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates
Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
Poor posture
Skipped meals
Stress
Secondary headaches
A secondary headache is a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. Any number of conditions — varying greatly in severity — may cause secondary headaches.
Possible causes of secondary headaches include:
Acute sinusitis (sinus infection)
Arterial tears (carotid or vertebral dissections)
Blood clot (venous thrombosis) within the brain — separate from stroke
Brain aneurysm (a bulge in an artery in your brain)
Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) — an abnormal formation of brain blood vessels
Brain tumor
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Chiari malformation (structural problem at the base of your skull)
Concussion
Dehydration
Dental problems
Ear infection (middle ear)
Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
Giant cell arteritis (inflammation of the lining of the arteries)
Glaucoma (acute angle closure glaucoma)
Hangovers
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Influenza (flu) and other febrile (fever) illnesses
Intracranial hematoma
Medications to treat other disorders
Meningitis
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Overuse of pain medication
Panic attacks and panic disorder
Post-concussion syndrome
Pressure from tight headgear, such as a helmet or goggles
Pseudotumor cerebri
Stroke
Toxoplasmosis
Trigeminal neuralgia (as well as other neuralgias, all involving irritation of certain nerves connecting the face and brain)
Some types of secondary headaches include:
External compression headaches (a result of pressure-causing headgear)
Ice cream headaches (commonly called brain freeze)
Medication overuse headaches (caused by overuse of pain medication)
Sinus headaches (caused by inflammation and congestion in sinus cavities)
Spinal headaches (caused by low pressure or volume of cerebrospinal fluid, possibly the result of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak, spinal tap or spinal anesthesia)
Thunderclap headaches (a group of disorders that involves sudden, severe headaches with multiple causes)
Dr Prem Pillay, an Expert on Headaches recommends that if they are severe and /or persistent that you have a consult which may include a Neurological examination and imaging including MRI of the Brain. Serious problems such as Brain Tumor or a ruptured Brain Aneurysm or Arterio Venous Malformation are not common but if not detected early have serious life changing consequences.
Conclusion
Headaches are a common yet diverse condition that can significantly impact the quality of life. Understanding the type and cause of headaches is essential for effective management. At Singapore Brain Spine Nerves Center, our team offers expert evaluation and tailored treatment plans for all types of headaches. If you or a loved one are struggling with recurring or severe headaches, seek professional medical advice to improve your comfort and well-being. Visit the Singapore Brain Spine Nerves Center today to learn more.
