Headaches are a reality for countless people. You have likely experienced headaches at some point in your life, whether often or only now and then. They can vary widely in pain type, severity, location, and frequency. The pain may be in your face or head. It may be sharp or dull, throbbing or constant. Your headache may also be one of the most common types: tension headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches.
Headaches of any kind are never welcome, and of course, you’ll want to find ways to prevent or treat them as soon and as effectively as possible.
A primary headache is one caused by common lifestyle habits—also called triggers. A secondary headache, on the other hand, is typically caused by (and is a symptom of) another condition, such as a sinus blockage or infection, dehydration, or certain medications.
The key to preventing primary headaches is to figure out what has caused them in the past. Then you can try to avoid those triggers in the future.
Some of the common lifestyle triggers of primary headaches include:
With secondary headaches, the list of possible underlying conditions that can cause them is extensive. In addition to sinus infections, medications, or dehydration—high blood pressure, head or neck injuries, ear infections, brain tumors, or other conditions may be to blame. If you suspect your headaches might be due to an underlying condition, talk with your doctor right away.
An in-depth look at 3 common types of primary headaches—tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches—will give you the information you need to help prevent or treat them.
Keeping a headache diary in which you record possible triggers, symptoms, and treatments may also help you figure out what’s causing your headaches—as well as which kind of headache you’re having. This will help you reduce the frequency of headaches.
In addition, learning to quickly identify your symptoms once a headache develops will help you treat it more effectively, so you can start to feel better faster.
Let’s take a closer look at the 3 most common types of headaches.
Is the pain dull and achy? If so, you may have a tension headache, one of the most common types of primary headaches.
Symptoms. Tension headaches may:
Tension headaches also tend to start with a dull ache that worsens over time. They can be triggered by stress, poor sleep, painful emotions, poor posture, and neck strain. Tension in your shoulders, neck, scalp, or jaw can also cause your head pain.
Prevention. Studies have shown that the following self-care treatments may work well to prevent this type of headache:
Treatments. An occasional tension headache can be treated with over-the-counter medications, including:
Daily prescription medications such as tricyclic antidepressants may also help manage chronic tension-type headaches. Ask your doctor which ones might be most helpful for you.
Self-care tips to help ease the pain if you do get a tension headache:
Complementary treatments
Ask your health care provider if there are any tests, referrals, or other treatments that might be helpful to use along with your current treatment plan. Some of these treatment options include:
Is the headache pain severe and throbbing? If so, you may have a migraine.
Symptoms. Migraine headaches can:
Prevention. Studies show that some of the same self-care treatments to ease tension headaches can sometimes help prevent migraines, as well. These include stress-easing techniques like deep breathing or meditation, exercising, not skipping meals, and getting enough sleep. You may also help prevent migraines by:
Treatments. Some of the same tips that can help ease tension headaches may also help ease migraine headaches. Rest in a quiet, dark place. Massage your scalp and temples with firm pressure. Drink plenty of fluids. Place a cool cloth or a cold pack on your forehead or the back of your neck.
To ease migraine pain, it may help to remedy what triggered the headache in the first place. For example, if hunger triggered your migraine, eat something. If you’re highly stressed, do some deep breathing, meditate, or use other relaxation tools.
Some medical treatment options used to relieve tension headaches may also help ease migraine headaches: Physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. Other treatments for migraine may also include:
Some medicines can treat migraines, and others can help prevent them. You can also use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), and aspirin.
However, given that migraines tend to be more severe than tension headaches, you may want to work with your doctor to find prescription medicines that help prevent and treat migraines. Preventive medications include:
Prescription medications to use after the onset of migraine include triptans, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex®) and zolmitriptan (Zomig®).
If you have intense head pain that comes back daily, or more than once a day, for weeks—you may be suffering from cluster headaches.
Symptoms. Cluster headaches:
Prevention. The causes of cluster headaches are mostly unknown. But some triggers have been identified and include:
Preventive medications may include those that treat allergies, depression, high blood pressure, and seizures. Also, a medication called galcanezumab may help.
Treatments. Over-the-counter meds such as ibuprofen do not help relieve cluster headaches. You will want to work with your doctor to find treatments that will help you.
Once you have symptoms of a cluster headache, your doctor may prescribe triptan medicines (sumatriptan ), anti-inflammatories (steroids like prednisone ), or dihydroergotamine injections.
Also, breathing 100% oxygen through a non-rebreather mask at a high flow rate may help relieve symptoms during an attack. This sometimes relieves the headache in as little as 20 minutes. Your doctor can prescribe oxygen and the proper kind of mask to use if oxygen treatment is appropriate for you.
Your doctor may also recommend alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and/or physical therapy.
At-home care may be all you need to resolve your headache. But if headaches are disrupting your activities, work, or personal life, it's time to talk with your doctor. Headaches can't always be prevented. But there are ways to manage the symptoms rather than suffer through them. And your doctor can help with this.
There may also be occasions when headaches require a visit to your doctor or emergency care. Get prompt medical help if you have:
Almost everyone gets headaches, and many are nothing to worry about. Still, they are not pleasant. You can learn how to avoid your triggers. And you can learn to treat a headache, whether it’s a tension headache, a migraine, or a cluster headache.
The information in this and other Active&Fit® blog articles is not intended to take the place of regular medical care or advice. Please check with your doctor before using this information or beginning any fitness or self-care program. Images used for this article do not depict any members of the Active&Fit Direct program.
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This article was written by Sharon Odegaard, edited by Gail Olson, and clinically reviewed by Elizabeth Thompson, MPH, RDN, and Rebecca Potter, PharmD, on March 27, 2026.