Headache Causes: Common Triggers and What They Really Mean

When you get a headache, a pain in the head or neck that can range from dull to throbbing. Also known as cephalgia, it’s one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor—or skip work, cancel plans, or reach for painkillers. But here’s the thing: not every headache is caused by stress or dehydration. Some are warning signs, others are habits in disguise, and a few might be tied to something deeper than you think.

Take tension headaches, the most common type, often felt as a tight band around the head. They’re not just "stress headaches." They’re linked to muscle tension in the neck and scalp, often from sitting too long, squinting at screens, or clenching your jaw at night. Then there’s migraine, a neurological condition that causes severe throbbing, light sensitivity, and sometimes nausea. Migraines aren’t just bad headaches—they’re a brain wiring issue, often triggered by sleep changes, certain foods, hormones, or even weather shifts. People often mistake them for sinus headaches, but true sinus headaches are rare and come with fever, thick nasal discharge, and facial pressure. Most people who think they have sinus headaches are actually having migraines.

Another hidden cause? medication overuse headache, when painkillers taken too often turn into the problem itself. If you’re taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or triptans more than 10–15 days a month, your brain starts relying on them. When the drug wears off, the pain comes back harder. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break without medical help. And don’t overlook sleep, caffeine, or dehydration. Skipping meals, drinking too much alcohol, or sleeping too little can all flip a switch in your nervous system and trigger pain.

You’ll find posts here that dig into what really causes these pains—not just the surface stuff. We cover how common meds like ibuprofen can backfire, why some people get headaches after sleep, how neck posture plays a role, and what to do when over-the-counter drugs stop working. You’ll see real comparisons between different types of headaches, what symptoms to watch for, and how to tell if it’s something you can manage yourself—or when you need to see a doctor. No fluff. No guesses. Just what works, what doesn’t, and why.