Types of Headaches: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Relief Options

You might consider a headache at the end of a long day when fatigue is felt. However, if pain comes back, sleep is disrupted or concentration is challenged, it is important to listen! It's quite different to have a headache that feels like it's pressing on your forehead, and it can be a sign of some serious cause. 

Therefore, knowing the kinds of headaches, their symptoms and potential causes can help you determine what's a simple headache and what's a medical emergency. In Ayurveda, the pattern of pain, the lifestyle/daily activities and individual’s health are taken into consideration for solving the root cause, rather than treating every headache as the same. 

What Are the Main Types of Headaches?

1. Tension headache: Can be experienced as a band tightening around the head; and/or stiffness of the neck and shoulders. It could be due to stress and sitting for too long at the desk.
2. Migraine: A neurological condition involving recurring attacks, often with throbbing pain, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Pain may be on one or both sides.
3. Cluster headache: Causes extremely severe pain, usually around one eye, often with watering, redness or a blocked nostril on the affected side.
4. Sinus headache: True sinus pain may occur along with sinus inflammation, congestion and facial pressure. Many headaches that are believed to be sinus headaches are actually migraine.
5. Medication-overuse headache: Some pain medications can become a cause of frequent headaches.
6. Secondary headache: This is caused by another condition, such as an infection, injury or other medical disorder.

Understanding these headache types and causes is more important than treating each headache the same. 

How Does Ayurveda Understand Headaches?

According to Ayurveda, headache is known as £hiro-roga-Vijnáñiya  (disorders/pain inside head) and Shirah Shoola (pain in the head). In classical sources there are eleven types of head diseases followed by -Vata, Pitta, Kapha and combinations of these principles, and separate patterns like Suryavarta, Anantavata and Ardhavabhedaka. 

There are three traditional functional principles of the body, called the three Doshas, which explain the type of discomfort: 

• Vata (movement and nervous-system functions): This traditionally correlates with severe pain that could worsen at night and be alleviated by warm and gentle pressure.
• Pitta (heat and metabolic activity): Burning, aching discomfort, which may be relieved by cooling.
• Kapha (structure and stability): Associated with heaviness, congestion and mucus-related discomfort.

These are traditional Ayurvedic patterns, not direct equivalents of modern medical diagnoses. A qualified practitioner always considers the person as well as the symptoms.

How Can You Tell Which Type of Headache You Have?

It begins by knowing answers to these 5 questions: Where is the pain? How does it feel? For how long is it applicable? What other symptoms do they see? What does it feel like to trigger and what does it feel like to ease?

Knowing the reasons behind headache can indicate possible associations with sleep, food, work, menstruation and medication. It also provides your health care professional with a better understanding of what caused your headaches. 

What Causes Headaches?

Common headache causes include stress, insufficient sleep, dehydration, skipped meals and prolonged screen time. Stress can cause neck muscle tension, and failure to eat and drink properly can lead to discomfort in some individuals. There may be eye strain or posture implications of screen work. 

The hormonal shifts to menstruation can also affect migraine. Considering these factors, irregular routine and individual constitution are also taken into consideration in Ayurveda. An atypical headache does not necessarily mean a lifestyle cause. 

What Does the Location of a Headache Mean?

Migraine and cluster headache may cause pain on either the left or right side of the head. Tension headache, migraine or sinus inflammation may be accompanied by pain in the forehead. The pain may be related to the neck in the back of the head; the pain may be around an eye; if the pain is severe and around an eye, careful assessment of this is necessary. 

Suryavarta is a type of headache which increases with sun exposure and Anantavata is a headache that spreads from the neck to the temples, eyes or cheeks according to classical ayurveda. The descriptions focus on timing and movement of pain, but location does not make a diagnosis. 

What Causes a Headache on the Left Side?

Migraine can trigger a stabbing headache on the left side of the head that is accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. In Ayurveda, Ardhavabhedaka is piercing pain which affects half the head, sometimes in the temple, eye or ear. It shares some characteristics with migraine, but is a distinct traditional classification. Severe pain and weakness, confusion or changes in vision suddenly is a medical emergency. 

What Causes a Headache on the Right Side?

It also could be caused by migraine, cluster headache and muscular tension involving the right side of the head. The pain may be clustered around one eye. If the pain is new, worsening or very severe on the right side, seek assessment as it does not tell us the severity. 

What Symptoms Can Occur With Different Types of Headaches?

A migraine can cause exhaustion, light and sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Headache and dizziness may occur at the same time, but there are other causes for dizziness. Poor sleep can also lead to headache and fatigue. Infection may be accompanied with headache and fever or headache and body pain. Consider totality of signs/symptoms rather than one symptom alone. 

What Causes Headaches Every Day?

If you're frequently asking yourself, “Why do I have headaches every day?”, rethink your sleep, stress, eating and pain medication habits. A headache that doesn't go away may be due to migraine or long-term tension or headache caused by overuse of the medication. Even if a pain seems familiar, it should be evaluated if it happens frequently or daily. 

Explore now: How to Sleep Better at Night Naturally - Maharishi Ayurveda →

What Causes Headaches Every Day in Females?

If you're wondering about the reasons behind headaches every day in females, it is worth considering menstrual changes, particularly when it comes to migraine headache. Other times, pregnancy and menopause can change the nature of headache. However, dehydration, lack of sleep and other health issues are also important factors. If you are pregnant and are experiencing a new or worsening headache with vision problems, you should seek immediate treatment! 

What Causes Headaches With Fever or Body Pain?

Headache and fever may be accompanied by chill, muscle pain and fatigue as a result of infection, such as flu-like illnesses. In uncomplicated illness, rest and fluid intake will be supportive measures. If the headache is severe with fever, stiff neck, confusion, rash, or unusual drowsiness, it should be promptly evaluated. Persistent fever and/or deteriorating headache and body pain should also be investigated. 

What Causes Headaches With Dizziness?

Headaches and dizziness can be caused by migraine, dehydration and poor food intake and a low blood sugar can cause both weakness and dizziness. Get emergency assistance if dizziness gets worse to fainting, stumbling, weakness and speech difficulties. 

How Can You Get Relief From a Headache?

If it's a minor ache, take a break from screens, a meal if you haven't eaten, a break from pain, and water. A warm compress can help soothe the muscles of the neck, while a cool compress can help relieve some headache pain. 

In Ayurveda, it used to be understood that there is a difference between the discomfort caused by Vata and the burning ones caused by Pitta. Do not self-treat a new or a severe headache. As allowed, over-the-counter pain relievers may be used; however, using them too often could actually cause headaches to be more severe. 

When Is a Headache a Warning Sign?

If a headache is sudden and is very severe, or is followed by weakness, trouble with speaking, confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness, get emergency treatment. Another warning sign is fever and stiff neck. Talk to your doctor if you have a headache that is new, changes, or occurs more often than usual. 

How Can You Prevent Frequent Headaches?

Keep regular sleeping and eating times, drink enough fluids and take breaks from prolonged screen work. Identify if there are specific activities or circumstances that lead up to pain. A daily routine is known as Dinacharya (daily regimen) in Ayurveda and can be used with a headache diary to establish habits to enhance wellbeing. 

Read more: Home Remedies for Migraine: Relief & Treatment →

Which Ayurvedic Products May Support Head and Nasal Wellness?

In Ayurveda, headache is treated based on the person's symptoms, rather than just on the site of pain. 

Anu Tail for Nasal Wellness

Maharishi Ayurveda Anu Tail is a traditional herbal oil for the administration through the nose (Nasya). Nasya is part of classical head and nose care techniques, which must be guided in terms of suitability and proper application. It is not meant to replace the diagnosis of chronic sinus or head pain. 

Anu Taila: Traditional Ayurvedic Nasal Oil

A traditional Ayurvedic oil used in Nasya practices as part of a guided nasal and wellness routine.

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Prandhara for Head Comfort

Maharishi Ayurveda Prandhara is a traditional preparation that is associated with comfort of the head. Anyone that thinks about using it must follow the instructions given by the approved product and get professional advice, especially if headaches occur again or if other drugs are used. 

Prandhara: Traditional Ayurvedic Head Comfort

A traditional Ayurvedic preparation associated with head comfort and everyday wellness.

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Dashmool Tail for Neck and Shoulder Comfort

A convenient talisman for neck and shoulder comfort.

The herbal oil of Maharishi Ayurveda Dashmool Tail is related to traditional oil massage called Abhyanga. If the neck and shoulder muscles are tight, external massage might be relaxing and helpful, if done properly for the individual and for their pain. 

*They are for use in a prescribed care program and should not be used to diagnose or replace doctor-prescribed headache medicines. 

Dashmoola Taila: Ayurvedic Massage Oil

A traditional Ayurvedic herbal oil for external massage, suitable for a guided self-care routine focused on neck and shoulder comfort.

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Final Thoughts

Repeated headaches are a sign that your body needs attention, not merely enduring. Notice their pattern, take everyday triggers seriously and seek assessment from a professional physician when symptoms repeat. Ayurveda focuses on a foundational and consistent approach alongside appropriate medical treatment (if prescribed by a vaidya), with choices guided by your actual needs.