What it is
Headache describes pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, representing one of the most common human symptoms.
Research-supported
Headache
Pain or discomfort experienced in the head, scalp, or neck — ranging from tension-type to migraine, cluster headache, and secondary causes requiring investigation.
CategoryPain
Reviewed by Gyfts Editorial Team · Editorial Health Review
26 March 2026
At a glance
Headache at a glance
Commonly experienced as
- People describe a huge range of head pain experiences — from dull bilateral pressure to severe unilateral pulsating pain, from pain behind the eyes to pain at the base of the skull. The pattern, location, and associated features are diagnostically important.
Evidence context
Research-supportedSee the evidence snapshotSafety
See staying safeContext
Patterns of Headache
Headache is among the most prevalent human symptoms, affecting up to 75% of adults in any given year. The International Headache Society (IHS) classifies headaches as primary (where headache is the condition itself — including tension-type, migraine, and cluster headache) or secondary (where headache is a symptom of an underlying condition — including infection, hypertension, intracranial pathology, or medication overuse). Tension-type headache is the most prevalent, typically described as bilateral pressure or tightness. Migraine is the second most prevalent and the most disabling, characterised by unilateral, throbbing pain with nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia, lasting 4–72 hours. Cluster headache is the most severe, producing excruciating unilateral periocular pain with autonomic features in cyclical periods. Secondary causes must always be considered — particularly for new, sudden, severe, or progressively worsening headache.
Could this be you
People commonly experience
Headache shows up differently for everyone. Browse by how it tends to be felt — these are common experiences, not a checklist or a diagnosis.
In the body1 common experience
- People describe a huge range of head pain experiences — from dull bilateral pressure to severe unilateral pulsating pain, from pain behind the eyes to pain at the base of the skull. The pattern, location, and associated features are diagnostically important.
Common experiences people describe — not a diagnostic checklist.
Explore next
Related conditions
The Evidence
Evidence context: Headache
Headache spans dozens of causes and types. Understanding the evidence helps you navigate options — and recognise when professional assessment is essential.
Overall pictureHigh evidence base
Well-researched symptom with clear clinical pathways
Headache is one of the most studied symptoms in medicine, with robust guidelines covering primary types including tension, migraine, and cluster. Evidence also supports several complementary approaches, though secondary causes must always be considered first.
When to seek urgent careSome headache presentations require immediate medical attention — do not delay.
A sudden, severe headache reaching maximum intensity within seconds — thunderclap — may indicate subarachnoid haemorrhage and is a medical emergency. Headache with fever, neck stiffness, or rash may indicate meningitis. Progressive worsening with morning vomiting, new headache after age 50, or headache with neurological symptoms all require prompt professional assessment.
What the evidence showsPrimary headache types have well-established, guideline-backed management options.
Tension-type headache responds well to simple analgesia and physiotherapy. Migraine has strong evidence for triptans acutely and preventive agents including topiramate, propranolol, and anti-CGRP biologics. High-flow oxygen is an effective acute intervention for cluster headache. NICE and IHS guidelines provide clear, stratified pathways across all primary types.
Important safety considerationsFrequent analgesic use can itself become a significant cause of chronic headache.
Using pain-relief medication more than 10 to 15 days per month can lead to medication overuse headache — a common and underrecognised driver of daily headache. Withdrawal requires clinical supervision. Triptans are not appropriate for everyone, particularly those with cardiovascular conditions or specific migraine subtypes. Always discuss medication patterns with a qualified clinician.
Complementary approaches with evidenceSeveral non-pharmacological options have meaningful research support for headache.
Acupuncture is recommended by NICE for both tension-type headache and migraine prevention. Peppermint oil applied to the forehead has RCT evidence comparable to paracetamol for tension headache. Magnesium supplementation and ginger show evidence for migraine. Feverfew has preventive evidence for migraine, though study quality varies. These approaches complement rather than replace professional care.
Navigating your optionsHeadache management works best when cause, frequency, and impact are properly assessed.
A GP or neurologist can identify headache type and rule out secondary causes. Physiotherapists address cervicogenic contributors. Psychologists and pain specialists support chronic headache management. Complementary practitioners — including acupuncturists and herbalists — may offer adjunctive support. Keeping a headache diary tracking frequency, triggers, and medication use is a practical first step.
When to involve a professionalNew, changing, or frequent headache warrants professional assessment before self-managing.
If headache is new, worsening, occurring more than twice a week, or significantly affecting daily life, professional assessment is recommended. Frequent analgesic use should be reviewed by a clinician. Any headache with the features listed in the red flags module requires urgent care. Self-management strategies are most appropriate once a clear headache type has been established.
Safety first
Staying safe
General, informational guidance — not diagnostic. A qualified practitioner can advise on your own situation.
- Regular analgesic use more than 10–15 days per month causes medication overuse headache — a common and underrecognised cause of chronic daily headache
- Triptans are contraindicated in basilar and hemiplegic migraine, and in those with significant cardiovascular disease
References
Evidence & Research
Educational sources that inform this overview. Inclusion is for context and does not imply endorsement.
- Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache
- Guidelines of the International Headache Society for controlled trials of preventive treatment of migraine attacks in episodic migraine in adults
- Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: Results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study
Full citations are maintained by the Gyfts editorial team and reviewed periodically.
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