There are many causes for headaches, which are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms. Follow this chart for more information.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Go to familydoctor.org Home
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Headaches
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Do you have a fever, cold symptoms, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Do you have a severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, and does normal light hurt your eyes, or do normal sounds hurt your ears?
Have you injured your head or been knocked out recently?
Do you have numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and legs, or do you have trouble speaking or understanding speech?
Do you have pressure around your eyes, or do you have congestion with yellowish-green nasal discharge and a fever?
Do you have mild to moderate pressure or tightening around your temples, and does the pain occur during times of stress or after you have been sitting in one position for a long time?
Do you have intense throbbing pain on one side of your head or temple, often with associated nausea or vomiting, and do see flashing lights or spots before the headache?
Do your headaches occur after you read, watch TV, or use a computer?
Do you get headaches and feel shaky and weak if you miss a meal?
Are you trying to cut down on caffeine, alcohol, or some other drug?
Do you have headaches that occur daily for several days, and do you also have eye discharge and runny nose from the same side as the headache?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
You may have the COLD or the FLU or GASTROENTERITIS (stomach flu).
Self Care
Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Use over-the-counter medicine to relieve cold and flu symptoms and for diarrhea. Do not give cough or cold medicines to children under 5 years.
Diagnosis
You may have MENINGITIS, a serious infection of the fluid around your brain and spinal cord, or INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE (i.e., bleeding inside the brain).
Self Care
EMERGENCY
See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.Diagnosis
You may have a CONCUSSION (also called MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY), or a SUBDURAL HEMATOMA, a serious condition caused by blood pushing on your brain.
Self Care
URGENT
See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.Diagnosis
You may be having a STROKE or a TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (i.e., mini-stroke).
Self Care
EMERGENCY
See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.Diagnosis
You may have a sinus infection or SINUSITIS.
Self Care
Treat fever, headache, and sore throat with over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. An over-the-counter decongestant and saline nasal spray may help relieve other symptoms. See your doctor if the pain becomes severe or your fever persists or symptoms last for more than 10 days.
Diagnosis
You may have a TENSION HEADACHE.
Self Care
Use over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain. Getting plenty of rest, taking a hot shower, and applying ice packs to painful areas may also help.
Diagnosis
You may suffer from MIGRAINE headaches.
Self Care
See your doctor. Your doctor can diagnose your problem and may prescribe prescription medicine for migraines. In the meantime, use over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain. You can also rest in a dark room and apply ice packs and gentle pressure to painful areas.
Diagnosis
Your headaches may be due to VISION PROBLEMS.
Self Care
See an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam to see if you need glasses or contacts to correct your vision. Give yourself frequent eye breaks while reading or studying for extended periods of time.
Diagnosis
Your headaches may be from HYPOGLYCEMIA (i.e., low blood sugar).
Self Care
See your doctor. You can also try eating 6 small meals a day rather than 3 large meals. This may regulate your blood sugar.
Diagnosis
You may be suffering from withdrawal.
Self Care
Use over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain and discomfort. Although painful, the symptoms are temporary and should fade after a few days. Don’t restart your habit.
Diagnosis
You have CLUSTER HEADACHES.
Self Care
These are best treated with oxygen, but you can also use certain medicines, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen). See your doctor.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room.
