Headaches are triggered by several factors, such as sinusitis, hormonal changes, injuries, migraines, medicines, stress, alcohol, sensory stimuli and sleep disturbances.

Headaches are serious when abrupt and severe, pain increases after a head injury and associated with fever, vomiting, seizures, confusion and altered speech. Also, if there is a chronic headache that increases upon exertion or coughing, it should be checked.

The causes of headaches are not known completely. Genetics and environmental factors play an important role. An imbalance in brain chemicals, such as serotonin, or problems in pain pathways can cause headaches. Other causes could be trauma, glaucoma, brain tumours, stroke, etc.

The treatment depends on the causes. Eliminating the risk factors, finding the root cause, and treating the causes are some strategies for managing headaches. Also, medicines, such as pain killers and triptans to reduce migraine episodes, are prescribed.

All migraines are painful, one-sided and associated with nausea or light sensitivity. Headaches can be a pain in the head, which are not as severe and have various causes. All migraines are headaches, but not all headaches are migraines.