What Could Be Causing Your Headaches?

Headaches happen. They are one of the top 10 reasons why adults see a doctor. Everyone gets a minor headaches sometimes. But when headaches are frequent or severe enough to get in the way of activities, it may signal an underlying problem or a serious medical condition.

When Does a Headaches Signal an Emergency?

While rare, a headache can sometimes signal a serious medical problem, such as a brain injury, stroke, or meningitis.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one experiences a headache that:

appears suddenly and is more severe or different than past headaches
gets worse over time
comes on with coughing, exertion, or bending
follows a blow to the head
is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: vision or speech disturbance

numbness or a tingling sensation
muscle convulsions
confusion or difficulty thinking or remembering
unconsciousness
severe vomiting
pain in the eye or ear
stiff neck and fever.

You also should see a doctor if you are older than age 50 and have not previously experienced headaches.

Common Causes of Chronic Headaches in Adults

This flowchart covers many common causes of recurring headaches in adults. However, it is not a substitute for a doctor's care. Your doctor can give you the most accurate diagnosis and treatment advice.

Answer each question "yes" or "no." Your answers will lead you to a possible cause of your headache, along with recommended actions and self-care tips.

It's possible that you may be experiencing more than one type of headache. For instance, adults sometimes get both tension and migraine headaches. So, you may want to review all the questions to see if there could be more than one possible cause of your headaches.

Stress: The Hidden Factor Behind Many Headaches

Emotional stress can help bring on or worsen several types of headaches. For instance, stress can cause head and neck muscles to tense, which can lead to tension headaches. Also, stress is a frequent trigger behind migraines. Many people develop migraines at the end of a stressful day.

The following stress reduction and relaxation strategies can help prevent or relieve stress and possibly lessen your headaches:

Exercise regularly.
Get enough sleep each night.
Avoid overscheduling yourself. Allow time for relaxation and favorite activities, such as hobbies.
Take breaks throughout the day to breathe or stretch.
Treat yourself to massages or teach yourself self-massage techniques.
Practice relaxation methods, such as meditation. Progressive muscle relaxation also can be helpful. This involves tensing and relaxing each muscle group.
Take a class or read a book on how to cope with stress.