Almost everyone gets headaches. Most are tension-type headaches or migraines — painful and disruptive, but not
dangerous. A few warning signs point to something serious that needs urgent care. Knowing your headache type helps
you treat it well and avoid a common trap: headaches caused by taking painkillers too often. Ayurveda describes
headache as Shirashoola.
Warning signs — get urgent care
Sudden, explosive headache reaching full intensity within a minute — “the worst headache of my life”
Headache with fever and stiff neck, a rash, or confusion
Headache with weakness, numbness, slurred speech, loss of vision or double vision
After a head injury, especially with vomiting or drowsiness
A new headache in pregnancy or after childbirth, especially with swelling or vision changes
A new or changed headache after age 50, with jaw pain on chewing or scalp tenderness
Also see a doctor soon for headaches that are new and steadily worsening, worse on lying down or waking, or worsened by coughing or straining.
Common types
Common types of headache and their features
Type
What it feels like
Clues
Tension-type
Pressing, tight band around the head; mild to moderate
Both sides; stress, poor sleep, screen work, neck tension; no vomiting
Migraine
Throbbing, moderate to severe, often one side, for 4–72 hours
Nausea, sensitivity to light and sound; sometimes visual aura. See migraine
Cluster
Extremely severe, around one eye, 15–180 minutes
Red, watery eye, runny nostril on that side; restlessness; daily bouts for weeks
Medication-overuse
Daily or near-daily dull headache
Painkillers taken on many days each month
Sinus-related
Pressure over cheeks or forehead
With a cold or sinus infection; often actually migraine
Daylight, gentle movement and a steady daily routine support mood, sleep and energy — alongside, not instead of, professional care.
Medication-overuse headache
Taking simple painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin) on 15 or more days a month, or combination
painkillers, triptans or codeine on 10 or more days a month, can itself cause daily headaches. Many
combination headache tablets sold over the counter contain caffeine and are a common cause. The fix is to stop or cut
down the painkillers with a doctor's guidance — headaches usually worsen for a week or two, then improve.
Keep a headache diary
For a month, note each headache's day, time, how long it lasted, how bad it was, what you took, and possible triggers — sleep, meals, screen time, stress, periods, foods and drinks. It helps you spot patterns and helps your doctor identify the type.
Treatment
Tension-type: paracetamol or ibuprofen occasionally; regular exercise, posture breaks, sleep and stress management prevent them.
Migraine: painkillers or triptans taken early; preventive medicines for frequent attacks — see migraine.
Cluster: needs a doctor — high-flow oxygen and specific injections or sprays work for attacks.
Get eyes tested if headaches come with reading or screen work.
Ayurvedic view
Identify the dosha pattern → calm Vata (tension, irregular routine) or cool Pitta (burning, light sensitivity) → clear Kapha (heaviness, congestion) → protect sleep and digestion.
Shiroroga (diseases of the head) are described in detail, with headache types by dosha and special
forms such as Ardhavabhedaka (one-sided headache, resembling migraine) and Suryavarta (headache that
rises and falls with the sun). Causes include suppression of natural urges, irregular sleep, fasting, exposure to sun
and cold wind, excessive eye strain, and stress. Treatment includes nasya, head oil application
(shiro-abhyanga), Shirodhara, and diet and routine correction.
Ayurvedic care & safety
Warm-oil head and foot massage and a regular sleep time for tension-type headaches
Cooling measures for Pitta-type headaches — shade, cool water, sandalwood paste on the forehead
Brahmi, Jatamansi and Pathyadi kwath are commonly used by practitioners
Nasya should be avoided during a cold with fever and in young children
Herbal remedies must not delay urgent care for any warning sign above. Use licensed products from a qualified practitioner.
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