Headaches: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Headaches can range from mildly uncomfortable to completely debilitating. But what are headaches? Understanding what causes headache pain begins with knowing what happens in the body.

Headaches occur when signals interact with the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. These interactions can lead to pain, which may be localized or spread across different areas of the head.

It's also important to recognize the difference between more common conditions — like a seasonal sinus headache — and recurring, painful migraines. Migraines are often more intense and can come with added symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances. They may also have a throbbing quality and last from several hours to days.

Headaches can stem from a variety of sources and recognizing which type you have may be key to preventing them. Here are common headache causes:

Stress & Tension

Often called a stress headache or tension headache, these headaches may be caused by muscle tension in the neck and scalp. The effects of stress on the body can also lead to hormonal changes and anxiety, both of which can make headaches worse.

Dehydration

Can a headache be caused by dehydration? Definitely! The body is mostly made up of water, and when you’re dehydrated, the brain and other tissues shrink. This contraction can put pressure on nerves and may cause pain.

Sinus issues

Inflamed sinuses, a common result of allergies or infections, can lead to a sinus headache with facial discomfort and pressure.

Fatigue

A lack of sleep can add undue stress and anxiety, leading to a fatigue headache.

Anxiety

This one's a close cousin to stress and can bring on muscle tension and headaches.

Irregular eating and sleeping patterns

Skipping meals and not getting enough rest can throw off the body's equilibrium and deprive you of much-needed recovery and important nutrients, bringing on headaches.

Food sensitivities

Certain food and drinks can act as triggers for headaches or migraines. It's important to learn & recognize your own triggers so you can avoid them.

Hormones

Fluctuating hormone levels during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause can up the frequency and intensity of headaches.

Lack of physical activity

Long periods of sitting and using technology can negatively impact posture and create neck pain, causing headaches of varying severity.

Excess physical activity

On the other hand, overdoing things can lead to dehydration and muscle tension, which can bring on the pain. Pushing too hard can also result in an exertional headache from the swelling of blood vessels in your head, neck, and scalp.

Medication

Medications can sometimes be the cause of headaches by changing how your body handles pain signals.

Noise and glare

Loud noises and bright lights can cause sensory overload, leading to increased discomfort.

One of the most common causes of headaches is tension, which leads to a tension headache (sometimes called a stress headache). It is often characterized by a dull, aching pain in the head, scalp, or neck. This type of headache may result from muscle tension, which can be caused by stress, anxiety, or poor posture. Symptoms are often sparked by emotional strain, tiredness, or anxiety. Tension or stress headache symptoms may include a feeling of tightness or pressure across the forehead or the back of the head, neck tension and, at times, queasiness.

Sinus headache symptoms can include facial pain, pressure around the eyes, nose, and cheeks, and sometimes a feeling of fullness in the ears. These headaches are typically caused by inflammation in the sinuses due to allergies or infections.

Then, there's cluster headaches. These are not as common but can be more intense, often causing severe pain on one side of your head, near the eye. They might also come with symptoms like tearing, redness in the eye, and a stuffy nose. If you think you're experiencing cluster headaches talk to your doctor, because this type of headache requires medical oversight.

For a more in-depth look at the various types of headaches, our Types of Headaches page is a great resource.

Understanding the different types of headaches and identifying their triggers can help you choose the right treatment and prevention strategies. Here are a few tried-and-tested methods for how to help prevent headaches and treat them when they do happen.

Stay hydrated

One of the simplest and most effective ways to manage and prevent headaches is to stay hydrated.

Since tension-type headaches and cluster headaches are often accompanied by dehydration, simply drinking water with electrolytes may provide tension headache relief at home.

Hydration also helps your body to cleanse itself, improves blood flow, and makes sure your brain gets the oxygen it needs. And it’s not just about headaches; staying hydrated can also help you think more clearly and feel better overall.

Manage stress

Regular physical activity is a great way to manage stress — exercise releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers, and also improves mood and reduces tension.

On top of staying active, consider adding relaxation practices like yoga and meditation to your routine. Yoga's blend of physical postures, controlled breathing, and meditation can foster a sense of calm and reduce stress.

Meditation is a powerful tool to quiet the mind and ground you in the present, lessening feelings of anxiety and stress. Both are easily adaptable to daily life and offer a natural way to manage headaches without medication.

For overwhelming stress, reaching out to a therapist or counselor can be a vital step in managing stress headache treatment. Therapy equips you with tools and strategies to navigate stress more effectively.

Keeping a stress diary can also help you recognize patterns and understand what specific situations or events cause stress.

Get enough rest

Adequate sleep is a powerful (and free) tool to use when you're wondering how to prevent headaches. The magic number for sleep varies with age: adults should aim for 7-9 hours each night, while children and teenagers need a bit more, typically 8-10 hours.

When you don’t get enough sleep, your body’s natural rhythms are disrupted, and you may experience symptoms like fatigue, stress, and blurry vision and headache.

If you already have a headache condition, not getting enough sleep can make it harder to find relief. For example, people with tension headaches may find that their symptoms get worse, as sleep deprivation can lead to increased muscle tension and stress.

One of the most practical ways to reduce frequency and severity of headaches is to establish a consistent sleep schedule. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine can also help, whether it's reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing.

Maintaining a sleep-conducive environment, with a comfortable mattress, cool temperature, and minimal light and noise, can further enhance the quality of your sleep. Discover more helpful tips for better sleep with our helpful guide: How to Sleep Better at Night.

Take OTC pain medication like TYLENOL®

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like TYLENOL® Extra Strength Caplets and Extra Strength TYLENOL® Rapid Release Gels can be a good step in managing headache pain*. For headache and sinus congestion and pressure (sometimes called sinus headaches), consider TYLENOL® Sinus + Headache. Generally containing the active ingredient known as acetaminophen, TYLENOL® products work by reducing the production of certain chemicals in the brain that cause pain.

When used as directed, TYLENOL® is safe and effective for most people. But while TYLENOL® is a trusted choice for pain relief, it's important to keep in mind that persistent or severe symptoms may require medical attention.

*TYLENOL® is not indicated to treat or prevent migraines.