Guide to types of headaches and location: Causes & treatment

Headaches are one of the most common health conditions in Ireland. Knowing the type of headache you’re experiencing is important for finding the right treatment. Is your headache sharp, dull or pounding? Does it sit at the back of your head, behind your eyes or just on one side? Understanding where your headache starts and how it feels can help you work out what’s behind it and when to speak to a GP. 

Headaches cause pain in the back of the head, at the base of the skull and neck, or higher up. They may be mild or severe, short or long, and felt in different areas.

Types of headaches

Doctors usually split headaches into two types: 

• Primary headaches: where the headache itself is the main issue e.g. tension, cluster or migraine. 

• Secondary headaches: which are caused by another problem, such as a sinus infection or, rarely, something more serious [1]. 

This guide explores different types of headaches by location, symptoms, and causes, with tips on relief and guidance on when to see a GP. If your headaches are severe, frequent or changing over time, it’s a good idea to speak with a GP. They can help find the cause and recommend the right treatment. Speak to a GP online

Location of headaches

Headache on top of head 

If you’ve got a dull or pressing headache on top of your head, right at the crown, it’s most likely a tension-type headache. This is the most common kind, and it often feels like someone’s putting pressure on your scalp or tightening a band around your head [3]. 

What it feels like 

• Dull pressure, rather than throbbing pain 

• Pain at the crown of the head 

• Often both sides (a bilateral headache) 

• Might feel like your neck and scalp are tight 

What causes it 

• Stress or worry 

• Sitting in one position for too long 

• Poor posture at your desk 

• Tiredness or dehydration 

What helps 

• Try simple tension headache relief pressure points, gentle massage at your temples, behind your neck or between your eyebrows 

• Over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen 

• Rest, stretching, drinking more water 

• Make sure your screen is at eye level and your neck’s not strained 

If you’re getting this type of headache regularly, it’s worth speaking to a GP, especially if the pain starts changing or getting worse. 

Headache on top right side of head 

Pain that stays on the top right side of your head, especially if it’s a throbbing headache, could be a migraine or a tension headache [1]. Less often, it might be linked to nerve pain like occipital neuralgia [4]. 

What it feels like 

• Throbbing or pulsing head pain on one side (unilateral headache) 

• Might be sharp or stabbing in rare cases 

• Can come with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, or visual changes 

What to look out for 

• If the pain builds up slowly and feels like it’s spreading from your neck, it might be a cervicogenic headache 

• If it’s sudden and severe, speak to a doctor straight away. It could be a thunderclap headache, which needs urgent checking in a hospital, as it may require further tests or scans 

A headache on the top right side of the head that’s frequent or stops you doing normal things could be a sign of migraine. A GP can help with diagnosis and treatment options. 

Throbbing headache left side of head 

A throbbing headache on the left side of your head often means migraine. Migraines are more than just head pain, they come with other symptoms that can affect your day-to-day life [4]. 

What you might feel 

• Throbbing pain, usually on one side 

• Sensitivity to light and sound 

• Feeling sick or being sick 

• Visual problems (like flashing lights, zigzags or blind spots) 

What can trigger it 

• Hormone changes, especially around your period 

• Strong smells or bright lights 

• Stress, tiredness, missing meals 

• Certain foods and drinks (chocolate, red wine, aged cheese) 

Keeping a headache diary can help spot your personal triggers. If migraines are affecting your life, ask your GP about migraine medication in Ireland. There are lots of options that could help. 

Pain in back of head at base of skull and neck 

This type of headache sits low down, right where your neck meets your skull. It’s usually caused by tension, poor posture or nerve irritation [4]. 

What it might be 

• A cervicogenic headache (which starts in the neck) 

• Occipital neuralgia (irritation of the occipital nerves) 

• Neck and scalp tension that spreads upward 

What it feels like 

• Pain at base of skull, either on one side or both 

• Pain in back of head at base of skull and neck 

• Pain radiating from neck to head, especially when you move 

How to relieve pain at base of skull 

• Warm compresses or a hot shower to ease tight muscles 

• A gentle neck massage or slow stretches 

• Adjust your posture, look at your pillow or desk setup 

• Try ibuprofen if you need pain relief 

If the pain in the back of your head at the base of the skull left side is sharp, recurring, or worse when you move, speak to your GP. 

Sinus headache 

A sinus headache usually feels like a pressure or heaviness across your cheeks, forehead or behind your eyes. It’s linked to sinus pressure from colds, flu or allergies [5]. 

What it feels like 

• Dull, pressing pain in forehead or behind the eyes 

• Gets worse when you bend forward or lie down 

• May come with a blocked or runny nose 

What can help 

• Try a saline spray or decongestant 

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain 

• A warm towel across your face can ease sinus pressure 

• In some cases, your GP may give antibiotics if it’s caused by infection 

A sinus pressure headache tends to ease as the congestion clears [5]. If it’s sticking around, your GP can check for other causes. 

Headache when lying down or moving 

Some headaches get worse when your body position changes, like when lying flat, bending forward or coughing. 

Headache worse when lying down 

This could be a migraine or a sinus headache. If your headache when lying down is new, sudden or severe, get urgent medical help. 

Head hurts when I cough 

This might be a primary cough headache, usually harmless and brought on by coughing, straining or sneezing, without any underlying condition. But it might also be linked to sinus pressure or raised blood pressure, so it’s worth speaking to a GP if it keeps happening or feels different from your usual headaches. 

Headache when I bend down 

That’s often a sinus pressure headache, but migraines can show up this way too. If it’s intense or keeps coming back, speak to your doctor. 

Migraine in Ireland 

Around 12–15% of people in Ireland get migraines. If they’re happening often, or stopping you from getting on with your day, there are ways to manage them [4]. 

Common migraine treatments in Ireland 

• Over-the-counter pain relief (paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen) 

• Triptans (prescription drugs that reduce migraine symptoms) 

• Anti-sickness tablets like metoclopramide or prochlorperazine 

• Preventive treatments (beta-blockers, seizure medications, CGRP inhibitors) 

A GP can guide you through the best migraine medication in Ireland for your needs. If migraines keep coming back or don’t improve with these options, your GP may refer you to a neurologist or a specialist migraine clinic for further support and treatment.  

Less common types of migraine 

Hemiplegic migraine 

This rare migraine type causes weakness or even temporary paralysis on one side of the body. Other symptoms might include: 

• Visual changes 

• Tingling in your arms or face 

• Slurred speech 

It can look like a stroke, so always call for medical help straight away. Your doctor will talk to you about the right hemiplegic migraine treatment. 

Vestibular migraine 

 This one’s all about balance. You might feel: 

• Dizziness or vertigo 

• Sick, especially when you move 

• Off-balance, even if your head doesn’t hurt 

Vestibular migraine treatment may involve medication, changes to your lifestyle, and sometimes vestibular rehab with a specialist physiotherapist or an ear, nose and throat surgeon. 

Other types of headaches to know 

• Cluster headache – rare but very painful, often around one eye. Comes in bursts [1]. 

• Rebound headache – caused by taking pain relief, typically opiates such as codeine preparations, too often. 

• Thunderclap headache – comes on suddenly and feels severe straight away. Needs urgent attention. 

If headaches are starting to affect your life, don’t put off getting help. Whether it’s a simple tension-type headache or something more complex like migraine or nerve pain, a GP can guide you through what’s going on and what to do next. 

HealthHero offers quick access to experienced doctors who can assess your symptoms, suggest treatment, and refer you to a specialist if needed. Book an online GP consultation today for non-urgent headache concerns. 

If your headache is very severe (10/10 pain) or comes with symptoms like slurred speech, balance problems or confusion, this may need urgent in-person care. These types of symptoms should be checked immediately in a hospital, not online.