Learn about Secondary Headaches
What is a secondary headache?
A secondary headache is a type of headache that is a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. (1)
What are types of secondary headaches?
(commonly called brain freeze) (1)
medication overuse headaches (caused by overuse of pain medication) (1)
sinus headaches (caused by inflammation and congestion in sinus cavities) (1)
spinal headaches (caused by low pressure or volume of cerebrospinal fluid, possibly the result of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak, spinal tap, or spinal anesthesia) (1)
thunderclap headaches (a group of disorders that involves sudden, severe headaches with multiple causes) (1)
What are possible causes of a secondary headaches?
acute sinusitis (nasal and sinus infection) (1)
arterial tears (carotid or vertebral dissections)(1)
blood clot (venous thrombosis) within the brain – separate from stroke(1)
brain aneurysm(1)
brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) (1)
brain tumor (1)
carbon monoxide poisoning (1)
chilari malformation (structural problem as the base of the skill) (1)
concussion (1)
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (1)
dehydration (1)
dental problems (1)
ear infection (middle ear) (1)
encephalitis (brain inflammation) (1)
giant cell arteritis (inflammation of the lining of the arteries)(1)
glaucoma (acute angle closure glaucoma) (1)
hangovers (1)
high blood pressure (hypertension) (1)
influenza (flu), and other febrile (fever) illnesses (1)
intracranial hematoma (1)
medications to treat other disorders (1)
meningitis (1)
monosodium glutatmate (MSG) (1)
overuse of pain medication (1)
panic attacks and panic disorder (1)
persistent post-concussive symptoms (Post-concussion syndrome) (1)
pressure from tight headgear, such as a helmet or goggles) (1)
pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracrainial hypertension) (1)
stroke (1)
toxoplasmosis (1)
trigenimal neuralgia (as well as other neuralgias, all involving irritation of certain nerves connecting the face and brain) (1)
Resources
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/headache/basics/causes/sym-20050800
