Although most headaches are caused by triggers, some headaches are due to serious medical problems, such as a brain tumor or stroke.

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The answers to these questions will help you understand what kind of headaches you have and what you can do to care for and prevent them. Answer the following questions with the best choice for the majority of your headaches. Be sure to answer every question. When you are done, click on the evaluate button to learn more about your symptoms.

Timing

My headaches last 4 to 72 hours.
My headaches are less than 4 hours.
My headaches are more than 3 days.

Location

The pain is stronger on one side of my head.
The pain is on both sides of my head.
The pain is greatest in my neck and the back of my head.

Injury

I had a head injury and now I get headaches.
I have not had a head injury with headaches.

Type of Pain

The pain is throbbing.
The pain feels like pressing, tightening, or some other symptom other than throbbing.

Severity

The pain is bad enough that it is hard or impossible to do regular activities.
The pain is annoying, but I can still do regular activities.

Headache Medicine Usage

I take 30 or more pills (Tylenol, Motrin, aspirin, vicodin, etc.) or migraine preventive medicines (midrin, cafergot, imitrex, etc.) in a month to treat my headaches.
I don't take many medications for my headaches.

Headaches and Hormones (for Women)

As a woman, my headaches seem to be related to my menstrual period or other changes in my hormones.
Not applicable to my situation.

Physical Activity

The pain gets worse with physical activity such as walking on stairs.
The pain is not made worse by physical activity.

Sinus Problems

I have a lot of sinus and hay fever symptoms that give me headaches.
I do not have sinus headaches.

Head and Neck Symptoms

The pain starts in my neck and/or is triggered by moving my neck.
This does not describe my symptoms.

Things That Make Headaches Worse

During the headache loud sounds or bright lights bother me.
During the headache loud sounds or bright lights don't bother me.

Nausea and Vomiting

I have nausea or vomiting with the headache.
Nausea and/or vomiting is not associated with my headaches.

Aura

I get warning signs before the headaches such as spots, sparkles, zig zags, loss of vision, numbness, or difficulty.
There is no such warning.

Headache Triggers

My headaches are triggered by: certain foods, smells, scents, fumes, smoke, bright lights, missing meals, lack of sleep or oversleep, letdown after stress, when I have my period.
These symptoms are not typical of my headaches.

Cluster-Type Headache Symptoms

My headaches come in distinct attacks. They last 15 minutes to an hour and happen several times a day (or at least every day). The pain is a stabbing pain around one eye and I also have one or more of the following:

  • Red eye
  • Profuse tearing on the side of the pain
  • Stuffy nose
  • Runny nose
  • Forehead and face sweating
  • Droopy lip
These symptoms do not describe my headaches.



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