If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. There are many reasons why a headache can occur in the top part of the head. Tension is a common cause, but there are other causes, some of which may need medical attention. In some cases, a person may need to consult a doctor about a headache , especially if it is severe, persistent, or occurs with other symptoms. Here, learn about some causes of headaches that can affect the top of the head, why they happen, and when to seek medical help.
Tension-type headaches are some of the most common headaches. Experts sometimes call them muscle contraction tension headaches. While muscular tension may play a role, it is not clear exactly why they happen. Other possible causes include vitamin deficiencies and genetic factors. In a tension-type headache, the pain feels as if it is squeezing or adding weight to an area, such as the top of the head.
People will also feel pain in their neck or shoulders in some cases. People often describe the pain from tension headaches as dull and say it does not throb or pulsate. Tension headaches are usually uncomfortable but not severe. They can last from 30 minutes to a week, but the average duration is 4—6 hours. Learn more about tension headaches.
Headache is one of the symptoms of migraine. They are less common than tension headaches but can be more severe. The pain may feel as if it radiates from the top of the head, along one side, or down the back of the neck. It can be severe and throbbing and occur along with other symptoms, including nausea and extreme sensitivity to light or sound. Genetic factors appear to play a role, but many people with the condition find that specific triggers can cause migraine headaches.
These include stress, weather changes, sleep problems, and hormonal changes. Get some tips here on migraine relief. There are different types of chronic, or persistent, headache. They include tension-type headaches and migraine headaches. A doctor will diagnose a chronic tension-type headache if a person has a tension-type headache on at least 15 days a month for 3 months or longer. Chronic migraine headaches also occur on at least 15 days a month for 3 months or longer, and the person will have migraine symptoms on at least 8 days a month.
The symptoms will depend on the type of headache, but some can cause pain near the top of the head. Lifestyle factors, such as stress and lack of sleep, can influence chronic tension headaches. What can you do if you have a persistent headache? As the name suggests, cluster headaches occur in groups.
They appear suddenly on one side of the head, often behind the eye, and they cause severe pain as well as nasal congestion or a runny nose, and a watery eye. They are rare, affecting around 1 in 1, people. They can feel worse when someone is doing physical activity or is around light, smells, or loud sounds. For some teens, hormonal changes can also cause headaches.
For example, some girls get headaches just before their periods or at other regular times during their monthly cycle. Migraine headaches often run in the family. So if a parent, grandparent, or other family member gets them, there's a chance you could get them too.
Some people are sensitive to things that can bring on migraine headaches called triggers , such as some foods, stress, changes in sleep patterns, or even the weather. If you think your headaches may be migraines, you'll want to see a doctor to treat them and learn ways to try to avoid getting the headaches in the first place.
Sometimes relaxation exercises or changes in diet or sleeping habits are all that's needed. But if needed, a doctor also can prescribe medicine to help control the headaches. If you do see a doctor for headaches, he or she will probably want to do an exam and get your medical history to help figure out what might be causing them.
The doctor may also do blood tests or imaging tests, such as a CAT scan or MRI of the brain, to rule out medical problems. Sometimes doctors will refer people with headaches they think might be migraines or a symptom of a more serious problem to a specialist like a neurologist , a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system. It's very rare that headaches are a sign of something serious. Breathing exercises. Guided imagery.
Treatment if headaches get worse If you continue to have tension headaches while you are getting treatment, you and your doctor may want to try another treatment. Other things to think about Even with treatment, you will most likely still get some tension headaches. But you probably will get them less often. And they may hurt less when you do get them. If you also have depression or anxiety , talk to your doctor.
Treatment for these health problems also may help you have fewer headaches. Prevention Finding and avoiding the things—or triggers—that lead to tension headaches can reduce how often you get headaches and how bad they are when you do get them.
Headache triggers can include: Stress. Headaches: Finding and Avoiding Triggers. Your doctor also may prescribe medicine to help prevent tension headaches.
Living With Tension Headaches You may have fewer headaches—and less pain when you do get them—if you: Find and avoid triggers for your headaches. Keep a headache diary to find out what triggers your headaches.
Take over-the-counter drugs to stop a headache. Take medicine as your doctor advises to stop or prevent a headache. Reduce stress with relaxation and positive-thinking methods. Headaches: Managing Headaches Find and avoid triggers You can reduce how many headaches you have by finding out what triggers them and avoiding those things.
Headaches: Finding and Avoiding Triggers Use a headache diary Use a headache diary to find your triggers. Take medicines as your doctor advises If you have mild to moderate headaches, your doctor probably will want you to take over-the-counter medicines to stop your headaches. Medications Your doctor may recommend medicine to treat or prevent tension headaches. Over-the-counter drugs to stop headaches Over-the-counter medicines that you can use to stop a headache include: Acetaminophen such as Tylenol.
Aspirin such as Bayer. Ibuprofen such as Advil. Naproxen such as Aleve. Medicine that combines aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine such as Excedrin. Prescription drugs to prevent headaches Your doctor may recommend that you take a prescription medicine every day to prevent headaches. You may want to take this medicine if: Over-the-counter medicines don't work to stop your headaches.
You're taking over-the-counter medicines to stop headaches more than 3 times a week. You get a headache more than 15 days a month. Medicines used to prevent tension headaches include: Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. Seizure medicines, such as topiramate. Medicines that relax muscles, such as tizanidine. Antianxiety medicines, such as buspirone. What to think about The type of tension headache you have may help your doctor decide which drug to prescribe.
There are other things you can try besides daily medicine. For example, you could use cognitive-behavioral therapy or biofeedback. The medicine that you take may cause side effects. Some side effects may last for a few weeks or for as long as you take the medicine. You may have to try several different drugs or types of drugs before you find the one that is right for you.
Make sure to tell your doctor how well a drug stops your headaches. Certain pain medicines can cause a bad reaction if you take them with other medicines. Before you begin taking pain medicines, be sure to let your doctor know about all of the drugs you take.
This includes over-the-counter medicines and complementary treatments such as herbs. Other Treatment Using other treatments along with medicines may help you stop a tension headache or prevent one. Other treatments for headaches include: Acupuncture. This involves putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body.
Studies show that acupuncture can help prevent tension headaches. This is a relaxation method to help you learn to control a body function that you normally don't control, such as muscle tension. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or problem-solving therapy. Counseling with these methods can help with tension headaches. Peppermint oil. Some research shows that peppermint oil rubbed on your temples or on the tight muscles in your head, neck, and shoulders may help relieve tension headaches.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS. It may help reduce pain. References Citations Jackson JL, et al. Botulinum toxin A for prophylactic treatment of migraine and tension headaches in adults: A meta-analysis. JAMA , 6 : — DOI: Accessed February 1, Headaches and other head pain. In L Goldman, A Shafer, eds. Philadelphia: Saunders.
External compression headaches are caused by headwear that places pressure on the head — including tight hats, helmets, headbands and goggles. The headaches are believed to result from pressure on pain receptors or pain fibers that transmit sensation from the face to the brain trigeminal nerve or on nerves in the back of the head occipital nerves. With prolonged pressure, an external compression headache might trigger a migraine in people who tend to have them. If protective headwear, such as a sports or construction helmet, is necessary, make sure it fits properly and is positioned correctly.
Try various styles and sizes to find the most comfortable options. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
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